Performing regular inspections of important HVAC, electrical, or plumbing equipment is crucial to the lifespan of any multi-family building. And this routine maintenance requires knowledgeable, up-to-date technicians with a deep understanding of each major system. If done right, it can ensure extended equipment life, limited emergency repairs, and lower costs, ultimately improving a building’s value and functionality.
To guide your team to more efficient routine maintenance processes, here are 3 things to keep in mind.
1. A Schedule is Vital
Creating a schedule plays an important role in routine maintenance as it serves as a reminder that specific systems need to be checked. Steps to help you get started include:
- Gathering information on each piece of equipment, such as age, manufacturer guidelines, and history
- Taking your findings and creating a schedule of when each system should be inspected
- Displaying the schedule in an easy-to-access location, such as on an office wall or exported to your technicians’ Google Calendars
- Updating the schedule regularly and planning inspections several weeks in advance
In addition, have your technicians fill out a log each time routine maintenance tasks are carried out. The log should include the following information:
- Time
- Date
- State of the equipment
- Repairs/replacements performed
- Possible concerns.
You can refer to this log to calculate the average lifetime of equipment and predict when failures may occur.
2. Have Specific Standards for Equipment
Keeping a log is a great way to keep track of each piece of equipment, but it will also allow you to establish standards for each system that’s inspected. You will be able to define what is “working well”, what signs show that a system needs to be serviced, or when a part needs to be replaced.
This is why it is important for each of your technicians to understand the ins and outs of each type of system. Rather than specializing in a single piece, they must be able to routinely inspect every type of equipment and identify whether or not it is meeting standards.
A great way to ensure your technicians are up-to-date on the latest system advances for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical is to utilize SkillMill online training. With a focus on educating technicians on all aspects of multi-family building maintenance, you can rest assured knowing your team will be prepared to conduct routine, preventative, and emergency services to any area.
3. Focus on ‘Move Out’ Maintenance
Though routine maintenance is heavily focused on large systems that affect an entire multi-family building, it must also be carried out on individual units, particularly when a tenant moves out. In this case, everything must be inspected and serviced (if needed) to prepare for the new residents.
Important “move-out maintenance” tasks include:
- Inspecting the electrical system: replacing any damaged wires or burnt-out bulbs
- Inspecting the plumbing system: fixing any leaks and blockages, and ensuring that all sinks, toilets, showers are working properly and dispensing clean water
- Inspecting the HVAC system: replacing filters, making sure that both the heating and cooling works properly and ensuring that the “normal” temperature of the unit is comfortable for residents
- Checking and testing all emergency alarms: including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
It is best to create a checklist to follow so that each time a resident moves out, the same move-out maintenance occurs. This will help your technicians make sure that the unit is fully ready when the next family moves in.
Give Your Techs Better Training with SkillMill
In order to effectively perform routine maintenance tasks, your technicians must be well-versed in all aspects of maintaining multi-family buildings. Interplay Learning’s expertly-designed learning platform, SkillMill contains online courses that focus on these topics. The courses break down complex theory, systems and appliances so your techs can effectively learn and maintain the buildings they work in.
SkillMill is technical training that goes well beyond the books. It provides online courses, instructed by top industry veterans, and includes 3D simulations so technicians can get hands-on experience in a safe environment. With SkillMill, your technicians will continue to progress their skills and abilities, eventually becoming capable of performing any tasks you assign them.
