There are also other general maintenance areas for each building that need to be checked each spring. Buildings should be checked for decking and siding damage, and repairs should be made as necessary. Checking siding for rot or damage from woodpeckers or damage from water runoff is important. Make sure a siding review is in place each spring.

In addition, gutters should be cleaned, and moss control product needs to be applied to the roof to increase the longevity of the buildings’ roofing. Moss separates the shingles and allows moisture to penetrate the roofing underlayment, which, over an extended time, can lead to leaks and roofing damage. Roofing, flashing, and chimneys should be evaluated for winter damage and leaks.

Concrete should be checked for cracking, breaks, and moss, which can lead to trip-and-slip falls. According to the United States Department of Labor, the average cost for a trip-or-slip and fall is $28,000. By checking sidewalks, entries, and common areas, thousands of dollars can be saved in claims and lawsuits. The National Safety Council reports that approximately 8.9 million trips are made to emergency rooms annually from slips, trips and falls. Falls of this nature have been categorized as the second-leading cause of unintentional deaths in homes and communities. Removing these hazards and insulating against related insurance claims is smart business. Indeed, “liability prevention” is a huge element of spring maintenance planning.

Another critical maintenance item is the pool, for those communities that have such an amenity. Each pool should be assigned a certified maintenance technician who regularly checks the pumps, piping, and filters. Pool expenses can be significant, but having an onsite maintenance technician to work with the pool daily can be a huge benefit to any community. This tech should check and log the chemical applications that need to be logged for review by the Washington State Department of Health. Water levels should be checked to make sure the pump systems are not damaged, and the heater needs to be checked to make sure it is functioning properly and not overworking.

A final critical maintenance item that needs to be addressed each spring is the exterior lighting. Checking building lights on a regular basis is an important factor in providing a safe community. An active, bright lighting system deters thieves and provides owners and visitors with safe paths for traveling. Checking motion sensors or timers is key to making sure entire blocks of lights do not go out. Lighting is often forgotten until it goes out, so having the lighting reviewed yearly and incorporating lighting checks into spring maintenance plan will provide solid peace of mind and bring a sense of safety to the community.

In addition to all components mentioned above, there are many other items that need to be checked yearly as part of a maintenance plan. The examples included here are just a few reasons why spring maintenance is so vital to your buildings’ upkeep and your community’s ability to control costs. Each year, a standard business practice should be to consult a building specialist and review your maintenance matrix and checklist. If you do not have either of these items, you should strongly consider contacting a professional. Preventative maintenance plans should be developed and outlined in the winter. We recommend that your maintenance plan be created in conjunction with your budget discussions, so you can prepare for the costs associated with the planning. Spring maintenance plans should be implemented after a thorough review of the property has been done.

Give yourself, your building, and your community complete peace of mind and implement a spring maintenance plan. By doing this, you will be ahead of the game and could save thousands of dollars in avoidable repairs and potential liability claims. In addition, you will provide safety and stability to your community.

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