Looking after a building can be a tricky business. You have a lot to attend to—plumbing, air conditioning, floors, ceilings, doors, walls and the electric works. Not to mention the phone and internet connections and even insurance and security, depending on the particular building you’re looking after. And you’ll definitely want the best in backflow testing Melbourne vendors can provide.
Many things go wrong on a regular basis in just about any building. But with a schedule, and a plan for every emergency that you can think of, life should run a lot smoother. That’s how you manage your property with excellence.
The Water Works
You’ll need to schedule checks on the plumbing on a regular basis. Ensure that toilets and taps work, and that parts aren’t worn. As to your backflow, request regular testing. Make sure pipes are without leaks, and that there are no danger of corrosion or crushing of the pipes in the long term. Rather have experts do the preventative maintenance, so you don’t miss a small problem that could quickly escalate.
If you have water tanks and geysers, check the pipes and/or the electrical connections too.
Electricity
Check that all electrical plugs and outlets work. Do this on a weekly basis, and make sure that lights function as they ought to. Watch out for water leaks or moisture that could affect wiring, because that can cause fires and shorts.
Fire Stations
Ensure that fire routes are clear at all times. Fire doors must be able to open easily—oil the hinges and catches of the doors well.
Furthermore, check that all smoke alarms and sprinklers function as planned. Keep your fire hoses out of harm’s way, and do a regular test to ensure they work well. Test your fire extinguishers once a year.
Make sure all personnel are properly trained in fire safety procedures and emergency evacuation.
In addition, mark the emergency exit signs well, because you need to prevent uncertainty if ever people should need to evacuate.
Walls
Structural damage can occur as a result of water leaks, or collisions into the wall. Water leaks can also cause mould to grow, which is a serious health risk for those in the building. Detected leaks must be repaired on the same day, if at all possible.
Ceilings
Ceilings shouldn’t sag or have brown spots from leaking pipes. That’s a sure sign of a problem on its way. What’s more, look out for signs of burns from electrical wires. It’s even concerning if you notice this at the site of the lightbulb fixtures.
Floors
The floors must be even, without ripped carpets or cracked tiles. These can cause people to trip and have serious fall injuries. Furthermore, they can’t be too slippery from polishing them. If wet when washing, display a warning sign to warn passers-by.
Carpets must also be vacuumed well to prevent any build-up of dander and allergens. They should be dried with a vacuum cleaner if wet, because they could develop mould if moisture is left too long.
Doors
Doors and their hinges need care and attention. The hinges must be oiled when they start to catch or squeak, and the door must move freely across the floor. If it starts to warp, you may have to sand off the bottom so it fits into the doorframe properly. Any damage to doors needs to be fixed and oil the locks as well on occasion, so there’s no chance of keys not being able to lock or unlock a door. You can see how small tasks affect safety and security.
If there is any swelling of a door, find out where the water is coming from, and deal with the problem. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the commercial plumbers Melbourne residents prefer because moisture anywhere can be a sign of an immense problem somewhere in the structure. Be vigilant and you’ll identify the signs of possible leaks that could cause havoc over long period.
The Roof
Loose tiles, faded colours and leaks must be repaired. Leaks can lead to mould, so don’t delay fixing it. If you have a thatched roof, you must rethatch and debug the roof once a year.
If you have walkways on the roof, ensure that they are in good condition, so roof work can take place safely, even in an emergency.
Insurance
You’ll be the person to take responsibility of insurance for your property. Make sure all paperwork is up to date and monthly premiums paid up to date. It’s wise to get cover for fire, floods, and theft at the very least, since they all carry risks for property owners and managers.
Security
Maintenance people often look after security features. Burglars bars, alarms and beams must be in working order at all times. This can affect insurance, and if they aren’t in good condition it could pose danger or increase risk on site.
Final Thoughts
For much of these tasks, you won’t fix things yourself, but call the specialists. But it’s your job to maintain and follow a checklist.
Looking after a building can challenge you, especially the legal requirements. But it can be made much easier with regular maintenance. Use our tips to stay vigilant and keep the premises and people safe.