Ryan Noble

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At Q Ware, we are always eager to learn about and discuss the beautiful buildings and facilities our customers manage. Our natural curiosity led us to an intriguing stat from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. According to a study they performed, the average age of churches in the United States is 72 years. These churches, varying in shape, size, and design are found everywhere from busy cities to the hearts of small towns.

More than just buildings, these churches are vibrant centers of community life. Their walls have echoed with generations of family milestones and community events, and they serve as custodians of cherished memories from weekly worship and study groups to youth camps and vital social initiatives.

However, with the passage of time and regular use, they face challenges like aging brick and stone facades, roof repairs, HVAC issues and other structural needs, which left unchecked and unmonitored can lead to significant maintenance costs.

What is Preventive Maintenance?

The deep historical significance of a church underscores the necessity of preserving these buildings. Not only because they are home to important daily functions, but because preserving them means preserving living testaments to our community's enduring spirit and shared history.

One way of accomplishing this is by performing regular preventive maintenance. This type of maintenance refers to the routine and scheduled service activities undertaken to prevent equipment and facility failures and prolong their life span. It involves regular inspections, cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, and parts replacement to ensure that equipment operates efficiently and to avoid unexpected breakdowns.

According to an article by the Facilities Management Journal, proactive or preventive maintenance can save organizations 30-40% on overall maintenance costs. With budgets ever-increasing and cost rising, these types of savings can be a difference maker.

Different Approaches to Preventive Maintenance in
Church Facility Management

Here are 5 examples of how preventive maintenance can be approached in your facility management strategy:

1. Time-Based Maintenance: Regular maintenance at set intervals can prevent larger issues. For instance, scheduling biannual checks of the church's roof can prevent leaks and costly damage.
2. Failure Finding Maintenance: This involves identifying and resolving latent defects. Regularly testing a church's sound system ensures it remains operational for important services and events.
3. Condition-Based Maintenance: Inspecting elements like the church's brickwork or stained glass windows when there are signs of wear can prevent extensive damage and preserve the church's aesthetic integrity.
4. Predictive Maintenance: Using data to predict when maintenance should be performed can be very useful. For instance, monitoring the heating system's performance to predict when it will need servicing.
5. Risk-Based Maintenance: Prioritizing maintenance tasks based on the risk to the church's most critical elements, like ensuring the structural integrity of an aging bell tower, is crucial for safety.

CMMS: A Key Part of Proactive Maintenance

CMMS offers a proactive approach to maintaining these vital community spaces. By implementing a thoughtful preventive maintenance strategy with the aid of CMMS, churches can not only conserve their historical and cultural significance but also ensure they remain vibrant centers for community life.

Preventive maintenance is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different strategies, as we defined above, can be employed depending on the church's specific needs, age, and the type of assets they possess. With the Q Ware CMMS we can help you document your assets, track down repair manuals, and create automated work orders that help you prevent issues and stay proactive.

Schedule Your Free CMMS Demonstration with Q Ware
Embrace a proactive maintenance strategy that not only preserves the historical integrity of your church but also ensures its readiness for future generations. Contact us today to learn more about how our CMMS can be tailored to your church's unique needs. Schedule a free demonstration to witness firsthand the simplicity and effectiveness of our CMMS solution.