Out of sight out of mind: Why it’s so important to regularly maintain hard to reach areas of buildings

The regular maintenance of hard to reach areas of buildings will save money and avoid disruption in the long term.

Building owners often fall into the trap of only dealing with what they can see. While necessary repairs in easily accessible areas are usually tackled fairly quickly, other unchecked areas can be left to fester and deteriorate, and are only addressed when an issue such as a leak occurs. By then the problem has probably caused significant damage which is costly to repair.

It makes no difference whether yours is a heritage or contemporary building, or anything in between, without regular inspections and maintenance it can rapidly fall into decline.

Many out of reach repairs are located at height, which refers to any level of the building that cannot be reached when standing. This therefore includes the likes of roofs, windows, pipework and gutters. The ideal solution for inspections, maintenance and repairs at height is rope access.

Orb Rope Access carries out building inspections, maintenance and repairs at height on all types of buildings including heritage sites, commercial buildings and public buildings.

Let’s take a closer look at why building inspections and maintenance are so important.

Why are building inspections and maintenance important?

While you will always want your building to look great, it’s the building’s structural integrity and safety that should be a priority.

Here are some reasons why you should conduct regular building inspections and maintenance:

  • Prevent structural damage. Identifying and repairing small issues such as cracks and leaks can avoid them causing structural damage that will be expensive to repair or replace.
  • Keep buildings safe. Falling debris, a weakened structure due to water ingress, or corrosion caused by guano, can all cause major safety hazards for users of buildings and the general public.
  • Protect your property value. Neglected properties deteriorate rapidly which impacts their value.
  • Keep you compliant. Ignoring maintenance responsibilities can lead to non-compliance with building and safety regulations. For owners of heritage or commercial buildings, this should be a particular concern as it can lead to fines or enforcement action by local authorities.

Types of building maintenance and repairs that can be done using rope access techniques

Roof repairs

Roofs are often neglected because they are out of sight, yet a roof is critical to the safety and integrity of a building. Damaged tiles, leaks and loose materials can all be managed with rope access inspections and repairs.

Façade and masonry repairs

The façades and masonry of a building are susceptible to damage simply because of their exposure to the elements. Repointing and cleaning services can be carried out by Orb Rope Access IRATA qualified rope technicians to ensure the façade remains structurally sound and looking good.

Water ingress protection

If undetected, water ingress can lead to damp areas, mould and rot. By regularly inspecting drainage systems, external walls and roofs, measures can be taken to stop the water from infiltrating the structure. Gutter cleaning, downpipe clearances and roof waterproofing can all be handled by rope access technicians to protect your building from water ingress.

Removal of vegetation

Vegetation is a real problem for out of reach areas of a building such as gutters and roofs. Using rope access to remove plants, moss, and even wannabe trees, prevents damage to roofs and walls.

Chimney maintenance and repairs

Chimneys can cause headaches for building users, but only if they’re neglected. They require regular inspections to avoid deterioration. Rope access is the ideal solution for carrying out chimney inspections swiftly and without fuss.

Choose Orb Rope Access for your building maintenance and repairs

Orb Rope Access is a team of reputable, IRATA qualified rope technicians with many years of experience in the maintenance and repair of buildings.

Choosing rope access is a cost-effective and safe choice that avoids the expensive and disruptive use of MEWPs (mobile elevator work platforms) or scaffolding. We offer a swift response, and the work is done, out of sight of the public who can continue to use the building while we’re there.

Get in touch for more information about our services.

Get In Touch

At Orb Rope Access we are very proud to be an IRATA Member Company and hold Safe Contractor status. If you are looking for a trusted partner to assist with projects that require working at height or confined space, please get in touch for a no-obligation quote or by calling 0781 333 9064.