Description

The art of preventive maintenance involves noticing small problems and fixing them before major ones develop. A structural or mechanical breakdown is usually preceded by a long period of deterioration, which is often neglected because it is not obvious. A piece of equipment that is not lubricated on schedule, for example, will continue to function until a bearing burns out. Similarly, eroded mortar joints may be overlooked until a brick wall buckles or a leak is noticed. Preventive maintenance does not necessarily require a high degree of technical skill on the part of the Facility Manager. It is essential, however, that the manager understands what services are needed and arrange for competent service.

The following is a preliminary “checklist” of items that should be on every church’s “radar” as a minimum baseline for maintaining their facility.