Masonry Design | 17
A preventive maintenance program consists of
two major parts - the inspection and the
execution. During the inspection of a building's
exterior, some of the more complex structures
may require special access and assistance from
a contractor, however for most structures, an
in-house maintenance crew – with a little bit of
training – is capable of doing the job.
When performing the inspection, it is extremely
important to document the findings and keep
them in a consistent format from year to year.
This can be achieved by simply using a three-ring
binder with notes and pictures or a multi-layered
spreadsheet. It is also necessary to inspect any
work that has recently been performed as those
repairs may still be under warranty.
Some specific items to inspect and document
regarding a building’s exterior condition include:
• Gutters, drains, downspouts, drainage, roof -
Decaying leaves, pine needles and dirt
run-off can all contribute to ponding water
and clogged gutters and downspouts, which
is why it is essential that all roof drains
remain clear of obstructions. In addition to
the risk of water pouring into the tenant
spaces should a breach in the roof occur, the
freezing and thawing of ponding water during
the fall and winter months can cause
extensive roof damage.
• Perimeters of doors, windows and other
wall penetrators - The exterior walls of a
building can be a significant source of
unwanted water leakage. Many openings are
required in commercial building walls for
plumbing, irrigation connections, lighting,
WORDS: MARK SHEEHAN,
WESTERN SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS
FACADES DIVISION