Fall Maintenance Checklist for Church Facilities

• Paving 
  • Repair broken or spalled concrete walks and steps
  • Grind concrete walk joints that are raised and cause tripping hazards
  • Repair potholes in asphalt or concrete
  • Inspect parking lot lighting
• Landscaping 
  • Trim tree limbs and shrubs to prevent from rubbing against the building, and dropping leaves/branches onto roofs
  • Remove ivy climbing on masonry walls
  • Remove debris from outdoor drainage grates
  • Keep landscaped areas pitched away from building foundations
  • Confirm outdoor lighting is operable and replace burned out lamps
  • Inspect fencing and gates for rot, rust, and deterioration
• Roof Inspection 
  • Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts
  • Verify ice melt cabling is working properly to prevent ice dams
  • Clean debris from drains on flat roofs
  • Inspect for loose or damaged shingle areas
  • Inspect pitched and flat roofs for loose flashing and wall coping caps
  • Inspect flashing around chimneys to determine if they are loose or have failing sealant joints
• Exterior Walls 
  • Inspect caulking and flashing at doors, windows, and wall joints (weep joints should not be covered with caulk)
  • Inspect windows for cracked glass
  • Inspect door and window weatherstripping
  • Verify motion sensors and timers for lights are working properly
  • Inspect outdoor electrical outlets to confirm they are working and covers are securely in place
  • Inspect window well covers
  • Review masonry walls for cracked or open joints that need tuckpointing
• Exterior Doors 
  • Adjust doors to allow for proper clearance
  • Lubricate all hardware
• Stained Glass 
  • Inspect stained glass for:
    • Excessive bowing
    • Cracked glass
    • Rusting supports
    • Deteriorating lead joints
    • Peeling paint
  • Inspect any protective glazing covering stained glass (protective glazing that is not properly vented can severely damage glass, caming, and support frames)
• Heating Equipment 
  • Replace filters
  • Lubricate motors
  • Check belts
  • Boiler/Furnace inspection to confirm they operate and vent properly
• Plumbing 
  • Shut off water hose connection at interior, open hose connection and drain
  • Install outdoor faucet covers
  • Confirm sump pumps are working and that there is a battery powered backup in place
  • Verify lawn sprinkler systems are directing the spray away from buildings to avoid excessive water on the walls and foundation
• Fire & Smoke Alarm Systems 
  • Verify detectors are working properly
  • Check fire extinguisher tags for inspection dates and replace out of date equipment

End of Heating Season Boiler Maintenance

When the heating season comes to an end this spring, it’s time to schedule your boiler maintenance. Preparing your boiler for the off-season will help maintain and extend its life. It is recommended that the off-season maintenance is performed by a qualified mechanical contractor. The maintenance performed should include:

• Complete boiler cleaning, including flushing of water side and tube punching (cleaning),

• Boiler feed tank, vacuum pump and condensate tanks should be flushed out and free of any mud and sludge,

• Cleaning of the low water cut-off and feed-water chambers, replacing their gaskets and sight glass cleaning,

• Boiler safeties should be opened and cleaned to be free of mud and sludge,

• Proper boiler lay-up per manufacturer or chemical company specifications.

If you do not have a maintenance agreement for your boiler system, we recommend you solicit proposals to protect this valuable asset (a three-year maintenance agreement is standard).

If you have any questions please contact a member of our PAC team.