10 Common Building Maintenance Issues

Buildings need constant care to stay functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. To that end, building maintenance workers spend their careers maintaining and repairing a broad range of complex building systems.

In this article, we’ll dig into 10 common building maintenance issues, how to address them, and how you can start a career in building maintenance and repair.

What Does a Building Maintenance Worker Do?

Building maintenance workers keep properties in good condition by performing necessary maintenance and repair tasks. They’re typically employed by the building owners or the property management companies that building owners contract to handle day-to-day affairs.

Building maintenance personnel are necessary for most public, commercial, or industrial ventures. Many work for income-generating properties, like apartments, hotels, offices, and retail outlets, while others are responsible for public buildings, like universities, hospitals, and government facilities.

Their jobs may involve:

• Scheduled maintenance activities to keep building systems in good working order.
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing the source of complaints.
• Repairs to basic plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other systems.
• Inspections, audits, and safety checks of building systems or equipment.
• Taking measures to reduce public health hazards associated with various building systems.
• Communicating with a specialist to diagnose and repair more complex problems.

Since these professionals may be responsible for nearly any aspect of a building’s functionality, they need knowledge of a wide array of systems and disciplines. That means another part of their job is constantly improving their knowledge of tips for effective building repairs and maintenance.

10 Common Building Maintenance Issues

Every day in building maintenance is different. Below, we’ll go into just a few of the top building maintenance challenges and how to solve them.

#1: Plumbing Leaks

Leaks in a building’s plumbing system can damage nearby materials and machinery, which is why one of the most important plumbing repair tips is to catch and repair problems as early as possible.

Low water pressure can be a telltale sign that there’s a leak or a clog somewhere in the system, as can rising water consumption. Noisy pipes, mildew odors, and water stains on walls or the ceiling can indicate hidden damage.

Not all plumbing problems are emergencies, of course. Dripping faucets and running toilets should be fixed to keep water bills as low as possible, but they’re unlikely to cause the costly damage that you’ll see from a burst pipe.

#2: HVAC Breakdowns

A building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems do more than contribute to occupants’ comfort – they improve health, safety, and even productivity. HVAC breakdowns can sour the air quality of an indoor space and make people sick or groggy.

Common HVAC maintenance tips include regularly:

• Replacing air filters
• Cleaning condenser and evaporator coils, vents, and air ducts
• Inspecting air ducts, drain lines, and fluid systems for leaks or clogs
• Replacing thermostat batteries

These steps can help prevent or delay problems like reduced airflow, depressed heating or cooling, leaks, and water damage.

#3: Boiler Malfunctions

While boilers are connected to both the plumbing and HVAC systems, they are complicated appliances that can cause a whole host of separate problems. Common boiler issues include pressure fluctuations, a loss of heat, and pilot light issues.

#4: Electrical System Failures

Minor electrical issues are among the common maintenance problems that can be handled by building maintenance personnel. This includes preventative maintenance and inspections, dealing with blown fuses, tripped breakers, and overloaded circuits, and replacing malfunctioning outlets, switches, and light fixtures.

Building maintenance personnel can also troubleshoot faulty or outdated wiring, but they also need to know when to call in a qualified electrician.

Electrical work can be seriously hazardous, so a solid foundation in electrical safety is an important part of a building maintenance worker’s training.

#5: Drywall Repairs

Drywall repair or replacement is most common during unit turnover, but it can also be a necessary response to water damage, pest infestations, and other broader building problems.

#6: Roofing Problems

A well-maintained roof is the first line of defense to keep the outside from coming inside. Leaks, cracks, bowing, or other damage to a building’s roof can lead to water intrusion, mold, mildew, and even structural collapse.

In other words, vigilant roof inspection, maintenance, and repair can nip some serious liability issues in the bud.

#7: Door, Lock, and Security Issues

No matter what kind of building you’re maintaining, access issues will always be a factor. People lose their keys, locks stick, automatic doors malfunction, and building egress must be maintained according to the relevant codes. Additionally, many modern buildings have complex access and security concerns that call for something more sophisticated than analog locks and keys.

As with most other things on this list, building maintenance personnel are the first responders responsible for troubleshooting, diagnosing, and addressing these problems.

#8: General Wear and Tear

Regular operations always take their toll on a building’s materials and aesthetics, so even if absolutely nothing goes wrong, you’ll need to periodically take steps to replace degradation due to wear and tear.

Common maintenance problems of this nature include painting, carpet replacement, hardwood refinishing, and replacing bulbs, fire safety components, hinges, latches, locks, and other moving parts.

#9: Elevator Breakdowns

Elevator outages or malfunctions should be avoided for many reasons: they present a safety risk, they’re costly, and they disrupt the regular business of the building. Additionally, elevator safety maintenance is required for compliance with building codes and other regulations.

There are several steps you can take to prevent a major issue. First, adhere to the manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule for cleaning, lubrication, and other routine tasks. Second, respond to minor complaints or malfunctions right away to prevent them from becoming bigger. Finally, schedule safety tests and regular inspections of critical components with a certified elevator technician. These audits should occur in addition to the required inspections by local authorities.

#10: Structural Problems

Of all building maintenance issues, structural problems are the biggest and scariest of all. Some can be minor – normal, and otherwise harmless settling can cause cracks in drywall and sticking doors, which are easily fixed. Meanwhile, other structural issues can be some of the most expensive to confront, like foundation problems, sagging or uneven floors, bowing or leaning walls, and damage to load-bearing structures.

Structural damage can quickly spiral out of control, so building maintenance workers need to be familiar with the signs and symptoms, proactively inspect for problems, and know when to intervene.

Learn How to Fix Common Building Maintenance Issues

Given the breadth and depth of information you need as a building maintenance worker, how do you even begin to learn everything you need to?

You can start by taking our online, self-paced Building Maintenance and Management courses. You’ll learn the fundamental principles on which important building systems are based, as well as solutions for common property maintenance problems. Courses are sold individually, but you can save by buying the whole Building Maintenance and Management Series package. By purchasing as a package, you’ll also have the resources on hand to educate yourself on building maintenance issues as they become relevant to your work.

Enroll today to start your career!