Your Commercial Property Maintenance Checklist for Spring

Your commercial property endured snow, ice, and freezing temperatures this winter—but not without some damage. From missing roof shingles to parking lot potholes, there are several items you need to address now that spring is here.

This commercial property maintenance checklist will help freshen up your building’s exterior for spring and prevent costly issues from cropping up later in the year.

Cross These Items Off Your Exterior Building Maintenance Checklist

The outside of your building is the first thing prospective tenants and customers see when they visit, and it also provides protection from the elements. If you want to make a great first impression and keep your building in top shape during spring showers and summer heat, follow these essential commercial property maintenance tips:

Inspect the Roof

Winter weather can cause significant damage to your commercial roof and lead to leaks in the spring and summer. To determine the extent of damage, you should visually inspect roofing materials for signs of cracking, bent or damaged flashing, standing water, and missing shingles. A roofing professional can also perform an assessment and recommend repairs.

Check for Signs of Damage on Your Building’s Exterior

Damage to siding, foundations, window frames, and exterior walls can also leave your building susceptible to leaks. After assessing your roof, check for dents, chips, and cracks on the side of your building and schedule any necessary repairs.

Assess Parking Lots and Sidewalks

When the ground freezes and expands during winter, it can put stress on concrete and asphalt, leading to cracks and holes when the temperature rises. Check your parking lots and sidewalks for signs of cracking and schedule prompt repairs to ensure your property is free of tripping hazards.

Perform Preventative HVAC System Maintenance

Your outdoor A/C units sit exposed to the elements all winter, which can leave them coated in a layer of grime in the spring. Before you begin using your units around the clock in the hot summer heat, clean them off and check if they’re still in good condition. If you’re enrolled in an HVAC preventative maintenance program, your provider will likely clean your unit, check for problems, and perform basic repairs during their spring visit.

From leaky roofs to broken HVAC units, your spring property refresh can uncover urgent issues. Browse Hokanson’s emergency maintenance services to see how we can help.

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Pull Out the Power Washer

Once you’re confident your building is crack-free, you can use a power washer to clean off exterior walls and siding. If your concrete walkways and lots still have a layer of salt leftover from the last snowstorm, give them a thorough cleaning as well.

Follow These Commercial Property Landscaping Tips

After you’ve crossed exterior inspections and repairs off your commercial property maintenance checklist, you can start bringing your building back to life with landscaping. Here are a few simple tips to transform your building’s exterior from lackluster to eye-catching:

Pick up leaves and debris: When the last snow of the season melts, it usually reveals a coating of dead branches, brown leaves, and last year’s mulch. Remove this debris to give your new grass and plants room to grow.
Trim trees and shrubs: Pruning branches doesn’t just make your trees and shrubs look better; it can also encourage new growth.
Tend to your grass: If winter has left you with bare spots in the grass, loosen the soil and add some grass seed. Keep the areas well-watered while the new seeds sprout. Sod can also provide a simple fix for extremely damaged or bare patches of grass.
Add mulch: Mulch helps suppress weeds and keep soil moist, even on the hottest summer days. Place a layer of mulch around young trees, bushes, and newly planted flowers—but be sure to leave a small gap around the base of each plant to allow for air circulation.
Fertilize: Your plants may need a little help to grow healthy and tall. A fertilizer designed for springtime can help your lawn and flowers get all the nutrients they need.
Inspect irrigation systems: Irrigation systems help keep your landscaping lush and green throughout the year. Check your system to ensure pipes didn’t break in freezing temperatures, and schedule repairs if you notice any issues.
Plant flowers: Vibrant blooms add the perfect finishing touch to your spring landscaping. Large planters with colorful annuals can improve your curb appeal, and you can switch them out each year for a fresh new look. If you’re unsure which flowers are best for your region, a landscape designer can help.

Image of a worker inspecting an HVAC system.

Need Help With Your Spring Maintenance Checklist?

Your facilities manager has a lot to tackle in the spring, from checking fire alarms to coming up with landscaping ideas. If you need help with facilities maintenance, turn to Hokanson Companies, Inc. For over 80 years, our full-service real estate and property management company has helped property owners across the Midwest maximize their building’s potential.

We know how challenging it can be to keep up with building maintenance, which is why our team offers various services to help keep your building and systems in excellent condition. Whether you need regular preventative maintenance visits or emergency repairs, our team consistently provides the highest quality of service.

If you notice a broken water line or malfunctioning HVAC unit while going through your commercial property maintenance checklist, contact the Hokanson team for prompt, professional service.