Proper care and maintenance can lengthen any church property’s lifespan. The age of the facility does not matter. Just take a look at some of the oldest churches and monasteries in the world. Aside from remaining beautiful and well-preserved, they are still fully functional and attract pilgrims from different characters.
Of course, it takes a lot of time to pass before a church property achieves historic status. For now, it is important to take care of the facility to ensure its bright future. Here are several tips from church maintenance experts that you should bear in mind.
Preventative maintenance is better than reactive maintenance
Most people would rather be reactive in terms of property maintenance in general. They believe it is cheaper. The truth is that this route is oftentimes more expensive. With the issues not properly identified or addressed as early as possible, these problems likely worsen over time, increasing potential costs. Sometimes, things are rendered broken beyond repair. To avoid ginormous repair costs and extensive damage, take a preventative stance on church maintenance.
Perform regular inspections
Walking in and around the church property might seem simple, but it helps in identifying potential issues. Schedule regular walkthroughs with a checklist on hand. Remember not only to check the inside of the facility, but the outside as well.
Make notes and take pictures of features that appear unusual. You can consult an expert afterwards to discuss if it requires immediate attention or otherwise. Include the following in your inspection checklist:
- Roof
- Damaged and/or lifted shingles
- Broken and/or missing tiles
- Moisture
- Debris
- Signs of infestation (i.e. nests)
- Eaves and gutters
- Water damage
- Debris (i.e. leaves, etc)
- Clogged parts
- Walls (Applicable especially if the church property is older or with specific architectural features)
- Cracks
- Water damage
- Signs of water penetration
- Windows and doors
- Signs of wear and weather damage
- Signs of condensation
- Hardware (i.e. locks and bolts)
- Infestation and rot (for wooden doors and windows)
- Utilities
- Leaking pipes and plumbing
- Faulty wires and cabling
- Missing screws
- Machines that are not working properly
- Frayed or damaged ropes
- Drained batteries and faulty alarms (for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors)
- Church property grounds
- Drainage issues
- Tree rot
- Obstructed pathways
- Cracks
- Open potholes
For the church property’s heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, it is best to contact a professional to come and take a look at it at least once a year.
Invest in cost-efficient initiatives
A great example of an expense that is worth it in the long run is LED lighting. Installing LED lighting might appear expensive at first, but it can significantly reduce the church’s energy and maintenance costs. And since LED lighting lasts longer than incandescent bulbs, it is also an environmentally friendly alternative.
Another cost-efficient program worth investing is regular carpet cleaning.
Carpets are subjected to a lot of beating especially if the church property has a lot of foot traffic. Irregular cleaning can lead to massive dirt build-up, and therefore cost a lot to clean.
Dusty carpeting can also trigger allergies, which might discourage ministry members from visiting. With a regular carpet cleaning program, you can take care of members and prolong the life of the carpeting.
Recruit volunteers
Inspecting a church property and making sure everything is in good working order can be a gargantuan task, especially if it is a big church or has expansive church grounds. To help you cover more in your inspection rounds, ask congregation members if anyone would like to volunteer.
Volunteers are not only helpful in inspections. You can ask them to participate in other maintenance tasks, such as sweeping the church grounds and improving the landscaping.
You can turn these into regular community activities where members and churchgoers can meet other people and, more importantly, learn more about the church property. This will help them connect more to the church and understand the importance of its presence in the neighborhood.
Keep your church property beautiful
Make the church facility last for generations to come with these expert maintenance tips. To learn more about church real estate in the metro Chicago area, contact Church Building Consultants Realty. With over 25 years of experience in church realty, Church Building Consultants Realty can give overall counsel to your church, from long-range site planning to site development, design, and construction.
Get in touch with the team today at 630.344.9449 or send an email to dan(at)churchbuildingrealty(dotted)com to work with your best real estate broker for the church.