Spring Safety Series: Indoor maintenance

During the spring, many organizations take the opportunity to perform much-needed cleaning and maintenance on their building. It’s an important part of good facility stewardship, and it can help you maintain the value of your property. Church Mutual has compiled a list of projects you should consider undertaking this spring:

1. Clean your windows. The windows of your building may be caked with grime and debris from the winter. Clean both the outside and inside, taking care to check the glass for cracks and the screens for holes. If you are using ladders to access windows, practice ladder safety in the selection and use of ladders.
2. Check the interior of your building for leaks. While it is important to inspect the exterior of your roof for leaks, you may have more luck checking on the inside, instead. Examine all ceilings for signs of water damage and look in your basement or attic for clues of unwanted water indoors, including mold; a damp, musty smell; or walls that are clammy to the touch.
3. Check weatherstripping and caulking. All the windows and doors in your building should have appropriate weatherstripping and caulking in place to keep moisture from seeping inside. However, over time those materials can wear, creating tiny gaps around the edges of the windows and doors. Spring is a great time for an up-close inspection of all openings in your building.
4. Inspect walkways and stairs for hazards. With people coming back onto your property, it is a good idea to inspect walkways and stairs for tripping and fall hazards. Make sure no cords, boxes or other obstacles are obstructing walkways. Make sure you repair hazards such as loose or frayed carpet and keep stairways well lit, with handrails firmly in place.
5. Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. You may rarely think about the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your building. But if you don’t change the batteries every six months, there’s a chance they won’t work when an emergency occurs. Spring and fall are good times to change the batteries and ensure they are functioning properly.
6. Inspect your building’s plumbing elements. Depending on where you live, winter can be harsh on pipes and other plumbing elements. Even if you don’t notice any specific problems related to water flow, it’s a good idea to inspect your pipelines. Shut off your main water supply, visually inspect the shut-off valve and examine the pipes to make sure there aren’t any cracks or leaks.

As more Americans become vaccinated, there will be fewer restrictions on gatherings, meaning your building may be in use more often than it was over the past year. Make sure your facility is ready for the increased use and you have the appropriate insurance in place.

For more building maintenance tips from Church Mutual, visit www.churchmutual.com.