Preventive Maintenance Programs
Maintaining a home and property can be a tough job, especially if the owner is unfamiliar with maintenance programs and procedures. New home and property owners often fail to consider this aspect of ownership, so a little guidance is probably in order.
Preventive maintenance programs
The first thing I suggest to new property owners is the development of a preventive maintenance program. Preventive maintenance programs can help to keep the cost of repair, and replacement to a manageable level. It is almost always more costly to fix a problem than to prevent it in the first place. Having a set list in the form of a planned maintenance checklist, and following through with any needed maintenance will make property ownership easier, less expensive, less frustrating, and less time consuming.
You can buy a CMMS program, that is, Computerized Maintenance Management System, also known as EAM, Enterprise Asset Management, and CMMIS, or, Computerized Maintenance Management Information System, but that is probably overkill for the home owner. These types of preventive maintenance programs are geared toward industrial, commercial, institutional, and other planned management types of programs. What is needed for the individual property owner, is a paper list, (you can store it on your computer if you want) of all the parts of your property requiring attention from time to time, what to look for, how often to check, and what to do.
Your list should look something like this, and if you would like to use this one, and it's sub lists, feel free to do so. Each link should take you to a place on this website, or another, which will offer more details on the subject.
Preventive Maintenance Program Home and Garden
I. Lawn and garden
A. Pest control
1. Indoor pest control
2. Outdoor pest control
B. Lawn care
1. Mowing
2. Fertilization
3. Irrigation
4. Cultivation
C. Landscape care
1. Tree care
2. Landscape beds
D. Water features
1. Lakes and ponds
a. Lake weeds
b. Water quality
c. Creating a fishery
2. Fountains
E. Hardscape care
1. Drives
2. Walkways
3. Patios
II. Outdoor structures
A. Utility buildings
1. Storage buildings and sheds
2. Garages and shops
3. Carports and canopies
4. Barns
B. Outdoor recreational structures
1. Play equipment
2. Gazebos and perigolas
3. Decks
III. Dwellings
A. Exterior maintenance
1. Painting and caulking
2. Cleaning
a. Removing soil and mold
b. Cleaning gutters
3. Outdoor plumbing
a. Faucets
b. Irrigation
4. Outdoor electrical
B. Interior maintenance
1. Plumbing
a. Faucets
b. Drains
c. Toilets
d Tubs and showers
2. Electrical
For a preventive maintenance programs for all types of wooden outdoor structures, see: Preventative Maintenance Wood Structures
