Your Building Deserves Love, Too!

By Shari Engstrom, Sid Grinker Restoration
This article was originally published in WHLA's 2025 InnTouch with WHLA magazine.

Spring brings so many wonderful things: birds chirping, professional baseball, warm weather or the hope of it, and some other things, like your building to do list. After all, your building made it through another winter, and if you didn’t have any issues, now is the time to prevent them.

Building maintenance is an ongoing process, but the melting snow and longer days tend to show all the effects of 4 months of salt and cold on a building. And that’s just the part we can see! What else should be considered? No list is exhaustive, but let’s look at a solid start hitting the highlights of building spring to do items:

1. Mechanical systems

Your HVAC system worked hard, and now is it’s got a small break before air conditioning season. And in Wisconsin, we all know that could be next week. Contact your regular vendor and if you don’t have one or don’t love yours, now is the best time to cross this off your list with a regular inspection & any preventative maintenance.

2. Sprinkler systems and plumbing

​Along with HVAC, take a look at sprinkler systems, and follow up on any plumbing issues from the previous winter as there always seems to have been at least one, and cold is especially trying on all pipes. Cracked pipes that may not have been noticed may result in mystery leaks that only occur at certain times. When possible, check guest rooms as small leaks from tubs or showers may not go noticed or reported, especially in a room with only one guest.

​3. Inspect the roof and the roof drains

Flat roofs are especially susceptible to winter damage, and the roof drains tie into the sewer system so make sure everything is clear as heavy rains and debris are the perfect combination for sewer or other backups.

4. Attend to sump pumps and floor drains, too

After roof drains and sewer lines, floor drains, especially in parking garages love to collect debris. Sump pumps become unplugged, especially in winter for décor or heaters, or simply run out of life. A simple inspection will ensure these are in working order. In critical or essential areas, like electrical, consider a generator or battery back up for sump pumps or other appliances relying on power.

Cigarette in Fresh Mulch

5. Trim trees and check landscaping

Fall cleanup often addresses overgrown shrubs but winter storms can disturb branches without fully taking them down. Be sure to take them down on your terms now before the next storm. Also, visit outdoor spaces that allow smoking and consider hardscapes or proper disposal containers so that new mulch doesn’t act as kindling for a tossed cigarette. And finally, most ground water issues can be at least partially attributed to landscape. Look for proper grading, consider appropriate plantings, and overall give it a quick review.

The Delafield Hotel

The Delafield Hotel Signage Before

The Delafield Hotel Signage After

6. Revisit the basic appearance.

• Touch up painting is almost always a necessity with salt and shoveling over the winter.
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• While most hotels maintain a clean appearance, hot washing by a specialty company can take off an extra layer of winter wear for minimal cost. This can refresh sidewalks, parking lots, entryways, and even parking garages.
  
  
• Don’t forget the exterior signage that is often less protected from snow, salt, wind and of course, summer sun. This is the perfect time to update signage before the busy season.
  
  
• And give everything the once over checking for old birds’ nests around light fixtures that provided a warm home over winter and cleaning out dryer vents as lint builds up.

April, May and June are a roller coaster of weather where we can be lucky enough to enjoy all four seasons in one week. This range of humidity and temperature is damaging inside and out, not to mention all the people behaviors inside. Our buildings work hard for us year-round and deserve to be well maintained in order to deliver the best for your guests and team. While difficult to find time for preventative maintenance, as with everything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

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About the Author

Shari Engstrom
Sid Grinker Restoration

For over a decade, Shari Engstrom has been the Director of Marketing & Business Development for Sid Grinker Restoration, though she far prefers the title Marketing Maven. Shari loves people, stories, and being out and about. Active on multiple charitable and industry boards, she hopes to see you at the next real estate, hospitality, senior living, or general fun event before she heads home to Muskego to see her husband and two teenager children. She travels as much time allows but for the most part, work, kids, the kids’ sports and a little bit of exercise fill her days. Be sure to find her and Sid Grinker Restoration on LinkedIn!

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This article was originally featured in the 2025 InnTouch with WHLA magazine.

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