In commercial property management, the difference between a well-maintained building and a problem property often comes down to one thing: how quickly you respond to issues before they escalate. I recently sat down with Jimmy Long, Facilities Manager at Hubbard Realty, to understand what maintenance challenges he encounters most frequently and how proactive management keeps our tenants satisfied and buildings running smoothly.
 

The Big Two: Roof Leaks and HVAC Issues

 
When I asked Jimmy what causes the biggest headaches for tenants and property managers, his answer was immediate: roof leaks and HVAC failures. These aren’t just common. They’re the issues that dominate weekly maintenance calls, especially during spring, summer, and early fall.
 

Roof Leaks: A Race Against Time

 
Most roofing issues Jimmy sees stem from small punctures in TPO membranes. But here’s the challenge: how quickly a small problem becomes an expensive repair depends entirely on three factors: how fast the leak is reported, how soon the roofing company can respond, and how long the rain lasts. “Repairs simply can’t be made during active rain events,” Jimmy explains, “which means timing is everything.”
 

HVAC: The Productivity Killer

 
“No AC” calls dominate during warmer months, and the root cause varies widely. “It could be something as simple as a bad capacitor,” Jimmy notes, “or as complex as a faulty blower motor, condensing fan motor, low refrigerant charge, or failed compressor.”
 
The cost of neglect is substantial. When filters and routine maintenance are ignored, the consequences compound: reduced air quality, skyrocketing energy bills, shortened equipment lifespan, premature component failures, and costly emergency repairs. Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing systems to work harder and creating strain that leads to breakdowns.
 
Jimmy’s prevention strategy is straightforward: professional HVAC servicing twice annually, once in spring to prepare air conditioning for summer, and once in fall to ready heating systems for winter. This simple schedule prevents most emergency calls.
 

Elevators: Maintaining Reliable Vertical Transportation

 
Elevator reliability is critical in multi-story office buildings. Common issues include elevators not responding to direction buttons on each floor, which can significantly disrupt tenant operations. A comprehensive maintenance approach includes establishing a service contract with a qualified elevator provider who can perform regular inspections and maintenance, with 24/7 on-call availability for emergencies. Detailed inspection reports should be maintained and easily accessible, typically in the elevator electrical room, to track system performance and catch potential issues before they become major problems.
 

Managing Multiple Priorities

 
In any commercial building, maintenance issues rarely arrive one at a time. The key to effective facilities management is having a clear system for prioritizing requests. Issues that pose safety risks or significantly impact tenant operations naturally rise to the top, while routine maintenance can be scheduled appropriately. Emergency response protocols should be clearly defined and communicated to all tenants, ensuring everyone knows what to expect when problems arise.
 

The Bottom Line

 
Effective commercial property maintenance isn’t reactive. It’s about building systems that catch problems early. Small roof punctures, neglected HVAC filters, and deferred inspections might seem minor in the moment, but they compound into major disruptions and expenses.
 
As Jimmy puts it: “My goal is simple: keep buildings running smoothly so tenants can focus on their business, not their building’s problems.”