property Building Maintenance
Looking good for longer
S
CHOOL BUILDINGS need regular maintenance, both inside and out, to keep them in top condition. Here are some tips to keep school buildings looking their best.
Maintaining exterior paint Airborne contaminants, such as salt deposits, can attack paint surfaces and cause the paint system to break down early. Annual cleaning and inspection of the exterior paintwork should be undertaken to maximise the life of the paint and keep it looking its best. It is worth paying special attention to areas that are not subject to regular rain-washing. A slow release cleaning agent, can be applied to the paint surface which, when combined with natural weather conditions, will slowly break down surface contamination leaving paintwork much cleaner.
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“Annual cleaning and inspection of the exterior paintwork should be undertaken to maximise the life of the paint and keep it looking its best.”
However, if it is necessary to wash down a freshly painted area, remember to wait at least four weeks from the completion of the painting job to give the paint time to fully cure. It is also important to attend to areas of flaking paint, stained paint (by treating the source of the stain, then touching up the paint finish as required), rotten areas of
timber, and moss and mould. Moss and mould, for example, will grow through the paint surface and, if left untreated, will ruin the fresh appearance of the paintwork. Companies, such as Programmed Maintenance Services (PMS), offer a maintenance schedule that will regularly check the paintwork. While this can result in a higher annual cost, regular
maintenance will extend the life of the paint finish giving more years of wear before it needs to be redone.
Minimising disruption With the term system, schools have natural downtimes when painting can be scheduled while students are away to minimise any disruption. 38 X
DID YOU KNOW …
contractors of choice
3DLQWHUV 'HFRUDWRUV
First impressions count! Keep your school buildings looking fresh and tidy? ✹ Maintenance Programmes ✹ Painting & Decorating ✹ Exterior and Interior
EST 1896
50 Carroll St, Dunedin E: wrens@wrens.co.nz Ph: 03 477 9384
www.wrens.co.nz
… has undertaken projects requring a multi-trade service? As part of our ongoing commitment to service, quality and simplicity, we have been pleased to offer this multi-trade function. Below is a brief list of some of the services offered. • Property & Building Maintenance
• Interior & Exterior Glass Cleaning & Glazing
• Electrical Services
• Commercial Cleaning
• Plumbing & Drainage
• Office Partitioning
• Roof Repair or Replacement
• Gib Stopping
465 Great South Road, Penrose, PO Box 112-149, Penrose, Auckland Phone 522 1700, Fax 526 5102, Email office@matassa.co.nz
Member of the New Zealand Painting Contractors Association Inc.
Issue 09 - Term 1 - 2010 school news
37