Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1395674
USICERINKS.COM JULY.AUGUST.2021 / 35 W e all know that regularly sched- uled preventative maintenance of our facilities and equipment is an important means for extending useful life, prevent- ing unforeseen failures and minimizing costly repairs. However, there never seems to be enough time during the Fall/ Winter season to address all of the neces- sary tasks, so we schedule an annual main- tenance period in the Spring or Summer to ensure that we don't continue to push off maintenance to a later date. An annual maintenance checklist is a great tool for making sure we accomplish everything we plan to during this time period. Your annual facility maintenance checklist may include the following tasks: SUBSTRUCTURE o Foundations and/or basements , Inspect walls/floors that are visible. Look for cracks, which indicate movement. Most cracks occur due to settling and are acceptable. The first step is to fill the crack with caulking and monitor for further movement. If you find the crack is con- tinuing to open, then a call to a structural engineer will be necessary. ENVELOPE o Exterior windows and doors , Look for progressive deterioration of all surfaces, e.g., paint flaking, discolor- ation, warping, jamming. , Check all hardware for proper functionality and inspect all fastenings. For doors, check the condition of the weatherstripping. ,For windows with double glazed inserts, also check that these are OK (when con- densation or fogging is visible between the two layers of glass these have failed, and the insert should be replaced). , Around each door and window frame there will be caulking. Over time this will dry out and crack. If it is hard and start- ing to shrink, remove the caulking, clean out the gap and apply new appropriate exterior flexible caulking to ensure the seal around the frame is maintained. o Exterior walls , Check cladding materials (metal, stuc- co, brick or block) for moisture retention. , Look for discoloration, stretching, splitting or other signs of material fatigue. , Inspect all horizontal surfaces for signs of failure, e.g., cracks, flaking, loose pan- els, discoloration, or rotting. , Again, minor cracking that is due to settling is normal; simply clean it, caulk it and monitor. Inspect for damage caused by moisture. , Check all construction/expansion joints. Ensure they are sealed properly (if the caulking in an expansion joint is dried up and shrinking, follow the same proce- dure as with door/window frames). , Inspect for snow melt indicating heat loss, e.g., wall discoloration, wetness in the spring or mold growth on interior walls. This will indicate a failure in the insulation/vapor barrier of the wall. Most cracks occur due to settling and are acceptable. If you find the crack is continuing to open, then a call to a structural engineer will be necessary. ILLUSTRATION: BIGSTOCK