Developing a plan for maintenance of a building requires a solid program for cleaning and repairs. Investing in building maintenance, as this influences the tenant satisfaction and the market value of the property. Making a maintenance plan helps ensure that the experience of living or doing business in the particular building is good. Neglecting maintenance long term is physically difficult to reverse and costly to implement recovery. Since a building is a sound financial investment, a preventative maintenance plan must be intact.

Instructions

Check everything that needs to be cleaned and repaired under scheduled maintenance and create a payment plan for the work that would have to get done. Note the bigger problem areas first and plan to hire a construction expert to inspect the roof and foundation, since these areas define on the integrity of the building.

Work on the maintenance plan. Make a work plan to first address the maintenance of building exteriors. Keep a notebook to write down the details. Locate a good contractors that you can call when you need service. For example, plan to caulk windows and repair ditches to prevent rain damage. Make a list of problems in interior areas, such as replacing tiles or lighting, to do after caulking. If the budget is limited, address maintenance issues in order of importance.

Start calling to interview potential contractors, locate individuals or companies and put them in a file. Plan to hire workers either part time or full time and make a written list of how to train each worker to address specific issues. Note their preferred methods for cleaning windows, bathrooms or floors in the entrance hall, for example.

Make a plan for the supply of cleaning items when the work begins. Purchase a large amount of cleaning rags and small repair tools, such as screwdrivers and hammers. Assign a cart to a particular workers to hold all their cleaning supplies. Develop a written method to help future workers replenish supplies on the cart. For example, designate a central location in the building that will serve as the site for workers to load their carts with products.

Create a detailed list of tasks for each worker. Develops a program for all tasks, even the smallest details of each inner and outer space.  Ask workers once work actually begins, to mark the tasks assigned once they’re completed.

Tips & Warnings

• Create detailed lists to make the reporting of completed maintenance work easier for workers. Not all workers classify cleaning or maintenance in the same order of importance, therefore, develop a schedule and a checklist to serve as the main task list so they know what tasks are of upmost importance. Appoint a lead worker to ensure that all maintenance is performed well and on time and have them oversee the work of the rest.
• Leave room in the plan for improvements and new ideas. Once you start work, make sure to ask workers to contribute ideas and offer suggestions. Think of ways to reward and show your sincere appreciation for their work. Workers who feel unappreciated tend to work fast and carelessly.

When a fireplace is not ventilating properly and the smoke is pushed into a room, this is hazardous to your health. Considering the great enjoyment (not to mention the resale value) of the fireplace in your home, it’s good to know you can choose effective solutions; the cost can range from $0 to about $3,000, depending on what the issue is.

Instructions

1. If the chimney smoke sneaks into the house only on windy days, the problem is resulting from too short of a chimney or because of environmental situations beyond your control. Consider extending the chimney or install a wind deflector or a fan.
2. The backflow usually occurs when the operation of the escape fans, including clothes dryers, exert negative pressure in a sealed house. Open a window or install an air intake kit for supplying necessary combustion air. A leaky attic in a multi-story home can create a chimney effect and cause chronic depressurization. The solution is to seal all openings between the living space and the attic.
3. The inadequate flow can occur when the size of the fireplace opening is too large for the size or length of the home. Compare the size of the home with the standards published in architectural manuals, available in the reference section of most public libraries. Solutions range from reducing the size of the opening with a protective metal fume for large projects such as the installation of a fireplace insert, the reconstruction of the firebox, adding height to the chimney, and the installation of a fan.
4. Install a windbreaker. Consult with a professional who can install a wind diverter cap for fireplaces. While the skill itself is relatively simple, working safely with a chimney cap is not, and some providers will sell products only to professionals.
5. Install a chimney fan. These specialized fans allow for specific conditions, as extreme heat and corrosive gases will pass through them.
6. Increase the height of the chimney. A chimney must be 2 feet (60 cm) above the ceiling or any 10 feet away from other structures. If it is not high enough, ask a bricklayer to extend a masonry chimney, or a suitable professional to extend a metal.
7. Replace lining to extend the homers, if the old chimney flue is too small, there may be enough space between the chimney and brick to open the existing conduit and install a new one. A metal coating to a chimney flue costs around $2,000, and a solid flue, which is poured around a recess inside the chimney way, costs $500 to US $ 1,000. Both must be installed by professionals.
8. Install an air intake duct in the firebox. Remove the outer refractory and brick or stone cladding, and then drill a hole for a stainless steel vent that will extend from the outside directly to the fireplace. Alternatively you can install some models in the ashtray below the firebox to let in air through a vent special floor.
9. An easier alternative is to install a DIY air intake vent through the wall of the room. Although the vent itself is only available in stores chimneys, installation is identical to a dryer, a common DIY project.
10. Lower the threshold with a metal shield, such as Smoke Guard. This shield, available in different widths, heights and finishes in stores that specialize in fireplaces, falls into place. Some glass doors for fireplaces can also effectively reduce the threshold.
11. If comfort, energy efficiency and appearance of your fireplace is what you like most, installing a sealed gas combustion can resolve any problem.

Tips & Warnings

• To do a depressurization test open a window in the fireplace room, wait an hour and light the fire. If the smoke still enters the room, depressurization is not the problem.
• Deal only with licensed and experienced professionals, and get references.
• Be sure to obtain necessary permits and inspections.
• The depressurization can increase the infiltration of radon and cause carbon monoxide poisoning from combustion appliances such as water heaters, furnaces and boilers.
• Because of the high costs and considerable risks involved in changing a fireplace, never act without consulting a professional and local building department.

Heating and air conditioning are taken to each room of a house moving through a network of ducts that are connected to vents. The ducts are often built with aluminum tubes or rectangular poles located throughout the house. The double-wide homes are installed with two parallel tubes that are connected by a central segment, giving the appearance of a letter H. The pipes must be removed and cleaned periodically to prevent allergies if members of the family are susceptible to mold.

Instructions

1. Turn off the heating and air conditioning. Remove the vent and manhole covers by loosening screws with a screwdriver. For this, the screws are rotated counterclockwise.
2. Pull dust or loose debris using a vacuum hose.
3. Crawl under the mobile home and remove the bolts holding the tube in place. Do this by turning the bolt counterclockwise with a wrench.
4. Open vent ducts by pulling gently. Bring them out from under the mobile home and set both aside for cleaning.
5. Use a hand sprayer filled with an anti-mold disinfectant and spray the cleaner into the ducts.
6. Dampen a mop with water and push it into the ducts. Brush all areas of the inner surface closely. Let the disinfectant soak in the lines for several minutes.
7. Rinse with a hose’s spray nozzle. Let it air dry for two hours.
8. Replace the ducts beneath the mobile home. Put them gently into place. Use the key to reattach the bolts on the straps, turning clockwise.
9. Wrap each section with heat resistant tape and apply pressure. This will ensure that there are no leaks in the piping system.
10. For an hour, soak every manhole cover and vent with a gallon of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent. Rub them with a scrub brush and rinse with clean water.
11. Remove the vent cap from the central unit and clean it with a damp cloth. Remove the filter and the engine sucks and spring. Replace the filter and closes the unit.
12. Replace all manhole covers and vents. Secure with screws, rotating clockwise.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using products such as bleach to clean the ducts. Vapors can spread through the house.
• Home improvement stores carry mildew disinfectants for duct cleaning.
• Use a mask and gloves when you suspect the presence of mold.
• Turn off the central heating and air conditioning before working with the ducts.
• This work is difficult, especially in double wide mobile homes. If it seems overwhelming, call a professional.

Cleaning your carpets can allow your carpet to look new again. For wall to wall carpeting, we recommend washing them with shampoo instead of spot cleaning. Cleaning machines spray a hot solution of detergent and draw out dirt while cleaning the carpet. Here are a few steps to get your carpet looking like new.

Instructions

1. Buy or rent a carpet cleaning machine also known as a steam cleaner at a hardware or grocery store. When you rent the machine, the cleaning products needed are usually included or you can buy them at the rental store.
2. Completely spray the carpet.
3. For really dirty areas you should increase the amount of cleaner used.
4. Fill the hose or tank of the machine with hot water tap.
5. Use the machine and carpet shampoo as directed by the manufacturer.
6. Empty the dirty water from the machine tank as needed.
7. Check the carpet with your hand to make sure it appears clean.
8. Wait overnight for the carpet to dry before walking on it. To dry completely, open windows and use fans.

Tips & Warnings

• Special solutions are available to treat stains and pet odors.
• Saturating the carpet can cause water to seep through damaging the floor underneath.

For centuries, one of the most common materials used in construction has been concrete. Formed from hardened cement, concrete has been used for everything from roads to foundations for houses. However, as technology is advancing, concrete is no longer the ultimate construction tool. It has a variety of disadvantages which must be considered before use.

History

The use of concrete dates back to many ancient civilizations such as The Romans, who used concrete for everything from buildings to aqueducts. The Romans were also among the first to experiment with the mixture of additives in concrete. They understood that mixing it with certain things makes it water resistant and less prone to cracking under pressure.

Function

Concrete is still known for its durability and longevity. As with any building material, it has its share of fully acceptable alternatives. Wood is often designed to be load bearing, especially bases, and can be treated to resist the negative effects of moisture and termites. Steel is strong and profitable, and can be ideal in areas infested by insects. Insulated steel panels are also often used instead of concrete for building walls.

Considerations

A major disadvantage is that all concrete structures crack eventually. Concrete may also break as a result of the contraction, which occurs when it dries. These cracks develop within days of the start of the structure. This usually does not limit the durability of a structure.

Effects

Another disadvantage of concrete is its low thermal conductivity. As concrete is typically used as a layer of fireproofing between the walls it can be seriously damaged when exposed to intense heat. Concrete helps contain the spread of fire, but in the process becomes useless.

Caveat

Concrete also corrodes easily when exposed to seawater. Take quick action if the concrete is completely submerged for extended periods of time. Concrete can be worn by the waves and sand and other oceanic materials.