INSPECT YOUR BUILDING

Spring is the ideal season to take an inventory of necessary maintenance or renovations.

 

Even a small repair, carried out as soon as the problem is known, will keep your building in good health for longer and avoid having to face larger works, requiring monetary sums that are not necessarily available.

A visual inspection every year is necessary in order to identify the disorders which could occur in the meantime.

 

The flat roof

• Check the roof covering and note any sagging, soft spots, blisters, wrinkles and edges of the covering; consult a specialist if necessary. Also indicate the places where the gravel is missing (when applicable). Add gravel to the bare spots and level again evenly over the entire roof.
• Check the condition of the roof drain, the attachment of its protective mesh and the drainage; solidify and / or clean the screen as needed.
• When applicable, check the sleeves (pipe or conduit) crossing the membrane (allowing the passage of electrical conduits) and the plastic cement allowing the waterproofing; correct as needed.
• Check the condition of the metal flashings, the caps (upper part) and the expansion joints; fasten loose components, caulk flashing joints and expansion joints, which are questionable or cracked.
• Aeration  : Check the airtightness and solidity of the roof vents and the tightness of the roof joints; solidify, redo the seals and repaint if necessary.
• Vents: check the tightness of the vent cover; correct if necessary.
• Gooseneck: check the operation and tightness of the gravity damper (if applicable) and the bird screen; correct defective shutters and grilles.
• Wind fan: manually check the operation of the fan; oil or change the ball bearing.
• Statistical fan: check the bird screen

 

The sloping roof

• Check the tightness and operation of the access hatch (if it exists); improve if necessary.
• Check the condition of the rungs and the solidity of the access ladder anchors; re-attach and paint as needed.
• Roof  : Check the condition of the roof shingles and note any heaving (poorly fixed), warping and broken or missing shingles; reattach loose or displaced shingles and / or replace defective or missing shingles.
• Check the condition of the structure (sagging, soft zone and / or waviness); consult a specialist for corrections).
• Check the condition of metal flashings, copings and expansion joints, when present; fasten loose components, seal flashing joints and expansion joints that are questionable or cracked with a gasket.
• Gutters  : Check the condition (strength, missing elements, etc.) of the gutter; solidify loose parts and replace missing ones.
• Check for tightness and flow; seal the perforations and tilt the gutter downwards if necessary (when deciduous trees are located near the gutters and they reduce the effectiveness of the latter, add dead leaf screens or clean regularly).
• Aeration  : Check the condition and solidity of the roof vents and the tightness of the roof joints; solidify, repair the defective joints and repaint if necessary.
• Vents: check the tightness of the vent cover; correct if necessary.
• Gooseneck: check the operation and tightness of the gravity damper (if applicable) and the bird screen; correct defective shutters and grilles.
• Wind fan: manually check the operation of the fan; oil or change the ball bearing.

 

Siding and exterior walls

• Check the seals (caulking), the control and expansion joints, when present; remove deteriorated (cracked) gaskets, clean and replace with a premium sealant (product with superior elasticity and adhesion).
• Check the condition and fixing of metal flashings and caps, if present (metal protection above the wall); correct as needed. Check the condition of the ventilation holes in the wall (weeping chants and others); ensure a free passage in front of these openings.
• Metal  : Check the condition of the metal (perforations, bent elements, corrosion, open joints, etc.) and its fixing; replace damaged parts and reattach loose parts.
• Brick  : Check the brick wall for cracks or swelling; seal cracks and look for their causes (movement of the structure, deficient anchorages, etc.).
• Check for the presence of bursting or crumbling of bricks and mortar joints; grout or replace the defective joints and replace the defective bricks (consult a specialist if necessary).
• Concrete  : Check the condition of the concrete (if there are cracks or bursting of the concrete) and the fixing of the panels; seal the cracks and look for the causes of the problem (movement of the structure, weakness of the panel, etc.).
• Wood, prefinished panels and fiber cement  : Check the shrinkage (open joints) and the fixing of the wood; seal the holes created by falling knots and shrinkage and secure loose planks if necessary
• Vinyl  : Check the condition of the vinyl (twisted elements, open joints, etc.) and its fixing; replace damaged parts and reattach loose parts.
• Stucco  : Check the condition of the covering (if there are any cracks and / or disintegration) and its fixing (swelling, loose panel); seal cracks, fill and clean broken sections with identical materials, and re-secure loose parts.

 

Retaining walls

• Check the general condition of the wall and the strength of its components; note any deformation (swelling, drop caused by subsidence of the foundations or dangerous inclination of the retaining wall); correct as needed.
• Check the effectiveness of the surface drainage allowing the evacuation of runoff water behind the retaining wall (surface drainage is carried out using a gully, a drainage well or a development of land favoring water drainage). Clean the channel of any obstruction that could prevent the flow of water and, if necessary, rearrange the land so as to keep them away from the retaining wall.
• On rainy days or using a garden hose, check the effectiveness of the underground drainage (water behind the retaining wall evacuated through the openings located at the bottom of the wall or through a drain); clean the drainage openings of any obstruction and if there is no water absorption, provide for checking the underground drain (digging and possibility of replacing the drain).
• Check the condition of the materials making up the retaining wall in order to detect the presence of cracks, crumbling, bursting of concrete surfaces and mortar joints; repair or replace damaged components, seal cracks and look for their causes (movements of the structure, defective anchors, etc.).
• Check the condition of the wood for the presence of rot, fungi, moss or grass; clean, repair or replace damaged components and re-finish (stain, paint, etc.) if necessary

 

The foundations

• Inspect the foundation thoroughly. In the presence of cracks, whitish deposits
  (traces of efflorescence), infiltration or localized humidity, assess the damage and carry out the required work.

 

Balconies, steps, stairs and access ramps

• Check the drainage (the formation of pools of water), the condition of the seal (caulking), between the equipment and the wall and the condition of the drain (clogged), when present; redo the slopes with a suitable material and re-seal the seal (caulking), if necessary.
• Check the solidity of the guardrail; repair and replace damaged or missing components and tighten the guardrail anchors.
• Concrete and fiber cement: Check for cracks, crumbling or deterioration of the surface and seals (caulking) (problems often localized near the anchors of the guardrail posts); if necessary, scrape, clean, fill cracks and deteriorated joints with a suitable product
• Wood: Check the finish (rot, moss, mushrooms); replace rotten parts, remove moss and fungus, sand, paint or stain if necessary
• Metal: Check the condition of welds and finish; redo defective welds, brush corroded surfaces and repaint
• Plastic, fiberglass: Check the condition of the finish (crack, chip); if necessary, scrape, clean, fill cracks and deteriorated joints with a suitable product.

 

The copings

• Check the condition (solidity and cleanliness) and check the quality of the drainage (gravel, drain) correct if necessary.
• Clean the copings (window wells) and, if necessary, their drainage column to ensure their effectiveness.

 

Doors and windows

• Check the condition of the exterior seals (caulking); replace cracked gaskets.
• Check the condition of the door and the glazing (when present), the hardware (hinges, lock, door closer, panic bar) and the weatherstripping, as well as the correct alignment of the door; adjust and lubricate hardware, adjust weatherstripping, replace or repair damaged or missing components and finishes as necessary.
• Check the condition of the window (finish of the frame, glazing, slide, drain opening, latch, weatherstripping and mosquito net) its operation when removable (ease of operation, good alignment, etc.) its light weight (Tablet).
• Restore the window frame finish as needed, replace broken glass, clean runners and drains, repair or replace screens, weatherstripping and latches when necessary. Make sure that the sills are tilted outwards and repeat the finish if necessary.

 

Electrical outlets and inputs

• Visual check of the state of the electric mast (presence of rust, solidity on the wall).
• Visually ensure that the hardware is securely attached to the building.

Test outdoor power outlets (verify that they have a “GFCI”

 

Electronics

• Clean the coil and filters on your air conditioners (or replace them).
• Check your heat pump. If it is lying on the ground, check its level to make sure the frost has not destabilized it.

 

Parking lots, sidewalks and sewers

• Check the general condition of the access road, parking lots and sidewalks (holes, crevices) and their leveling; correct anomalies that represent a danger of injury to the public, as quickly as possible.
• Check the borders (concrete, wood) and the demarcation lines; correct deficient or missing borders and repaint the necessary demarcation lines.
• Inspect asphalt surfaces and identify worn areas (cracking, thinning, crack); correct cracked and cracked areas by filling these crevices with an appropriate product (asphalt emulsion grout or other product; see external links for more info) to prevent more pronounced deterioration (freeze and thaw cycle) and plan to repair thinned asphalt surfaces.
• Concrete sidewalk: inspect the surfaces and check the concrete for cracks, surface crumbling; scrape, clean and fill cracks and exploded surfaces using a suitable product if necessary.
• Interlocking pavers: inspect the surfaces and check for the presence of cracks and / or exploded surfaces; replace cracked or burst blocks posing a danger of injury to the public.
• Check the condition of the seals; fill empty joints with sand.
• Sump  : Check whether there is digging around the sump (erosion or soil compaction); correct, if necessary.
• Check the evacuation of water to the sump (level of the sump in relation to the drained surface) in the case of a storm drainage sump; correct as needed.
• Remove debris, pieces of wood and other objects from inside the sump.
• Check the interior walls (crumbling, cracking, sagging); repair, if necessary.
• Check the condition and position of the bell. Adjust as needed.

 

Interior stairs

Check the stability of the staircase and the access ramp and the solidity of the guardrail; stabilize if necessary and tighten the guardrail anchors if necessary.

Check the general condition of the covering of the steps and risers (carpet, rubber tiles, ceramic tiles); repair or replace damaged surfaces as necessary.

 

Indoor heaters

Maintain and clean any central combustion appliance (wood, oil or gas).
If it’s a forced-air system, get replacement filters to be ready next fall.

 

Drains and crawl spaces

Pour water into the floor drains (floor drains) to prevent backflow of odors from the sewers.
If the building has a crawl space (cellar), open the ventilation holes as soon as the warm weather returns to ventilate this space.
Make sure the screen is in good condition to prevent the intrusion of insects or small animals.

 

 

Monthly maintenance schedule

 

May

• Trees, shrubs and flower bed
• Balconies, porches, landings, stairs,

exterior ramps and ladders

• Siding, exterior walls and foundations
• Exterior doors and windows
• Reception structure and antennas
• Emergency lighting system
• Sloping roof
• Flat roof

June

• Fences
• Container, compactor and waste chute
• Exterior staircase and ramp
• Retaining wall and coping
• Parking, sidewalk and storm sewer
• Emergency lighting system
• Outdoor terraces and slabs

July

• Water heater
• Emergency lighting system

August

• Emergency lighting system

September

• Heater
• Main water shut-off valve
• Emergency lighting system

October

• Trees, shrubs and flower beds
• Electrical input and distribution
• Emergency lighting system
• Sloping roof
• Flat roof

November

• Stairs and interior access ramp
• Floor finishes
• Walls and ceilings
• Lighting system
• Emergency lighting system

December

• Emergency lighting system

January

• Fire detection and alarm
• Emergency lighting system

February

• Kitchen and equipment
• Attic – Sloping roof
• Attic – Flat roof
• Emergency lighting system

March

• Bathroom plumbing
• Emergency lighting system

April

• Electrical input and distribution
• Sump and retention pits
• Emergency lighting system