Start here: Simple actions you can take today
If you're not sure where to begin, start with these steps:
- Inspect your roof, exterior building components, drainage systems and equipment this week
- Remove debris and check for visible damage
- Identify one high-risk area on your property
- Fix or schedule repairs for any issues you find
- Set a reminder for your next inspection
Small, consistent actions help prevent larger problems over time.
Property maintenance best practices
Reducing property risk does not require complicated systems. It starts with consistent attention to the areas that matter most.
Identify high-risk structures and systems
Focus on buildings and systems that:
- Support critical operations
- Protect inventory, commodities, equipment or products
- House critical electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, drying or ventilation systems
- Experience heavy use or exposure to moisture, chemicals or severe weather
Start with the areas where a failure would have the greatest impact on safety or operations.
Inspect regularly
Regular inspections help identify issues before they become expensive repairs or property losses.
Consider a simple inspection schedule:
- Stay aware of changing conditions during daily operations
- Perform monthly or quarterly inspections
- Inspect during seasonal transitions
- Inspect before and after severe weather events
- Review completed repairs and contractor work
Use inspection guides and checklists to consistently evaluate roofs, exterior building components, drainage systems, and equipment. See the Related resources below for additional maintenance, inspection, severe weather and housekeeping tools.
Focus on common failure points
Many property losses begin in areas exposed to weather, movement, or heavy use. Pay close attention to:
- Roof systems, including seams and penetrations.
- Exterior walls, doors, loading docks, and building openings.
- Gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems.
- Roof-mounted equipment.
- Flashing, sealants, and expansion joints.
- Flooring, docks, and high-traffic areas.
- Storage areas and combustible material accumulation.
These areas often show signs of deterioration first.
Address issues early
When problems are identified:
- Correct hazards immediately when possible.
- Repair minor damage before it worsens.
- Remove debris and obstructions.
- Secure loose building components.
- Monitor recurring issues for underlying causes.
Early action can help reduce repair costs, minimize downtime, and prevent larger losses.
Align maintenance with your operation
Maintenance priorities should reflect how your facility operates.
Consider factors such as:
- Seasonal weather conditions.
- Production cycles and harvest activities.
- Dust, moisture, or chemical exposure.
- Changes in storage demands.
- Equipment usage patterns.
As conditions change, your maintenance priorities should change as well.
Prepare for weather risks
Weather is one of the leading causes of property damage.
Before severe weather occurs:
- Clear gutters, drains and drainage pathways
- Inspect roofs, walls, doors and flashing
- Secure rooftop equipment and loose materials
- Remove debris that could become windborne
Preparation can help reduce damage and improve recovery following a storm.
The role of housekeeping and storage
Maintenance extends beyond the building itself. Poor housekeeping and storage practices can:
- Increase fire risk
- Block access to equipment and utilities
- Damage building systems
- Delay emergency response efforts
Keeping facilities clean, organized and free of unnecessary combustible materials helps reduce both property and operational risks.
Learn more about effective housekeeping practices in our Housekeeping and storage resource.
The bottom line
Waiting for something to break is often the most expensive maintenance strategy. A proactive approach that includes routine inspections, timely repairs, and ongoing attention to building conditions can help reduce risk, improve reliability, and protect your operation from preventable losses.
Take the next step
Choose one area of your operation to inspect today.
Use a checklist, document what you find, and address small issues before they become larger problems. Consistent action is one of the most effective ways to protect your facilities and support long-term operational success.
Protect your operation by maintaining what protects it.
Related resources
To support your maintenance program, explore these additional resources:
Some operations may require additional inspection tools for specialized structures such as bulk storage, grain bins, or other facility-specific risks.
References
- American Society of Civil Engineers. Periodic inspection of existing facilities policy statement [asce.org/advocacy/policy-statements/ps283---periodic-inspection-of-existing-facilities]
- U.S. Department of Energy. Operations and maintenance best practices guide [pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-13890.pdf]
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Maintenance and inspection requirements and hazard control guidance [osha.gov/safety-management/hazard-prevention]
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements and failure causes for fire protection systems [nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2024/08/26/nfpa-25-and-properly-maintaining-a-sprinkler-system]
- NFPA standards overview. Inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for building systems [nfpa.org/product/nfpa-25-standard-for-the-inspection-testing-and-maintenance-of-water-based-fire-protection-systems/p0025code]
