Here's a number every hotel GM should know: reactive maintenance costs 3-5x more than preventive maintenance.
An emergency HVAC repair at 2 AM on a Saturday? That's a $500-1,500 call-out. The same issue caught during a scheduled monthly inspection? A $50 part and 30 minutes of labor.
Multiply that across hundreds of rooms and dozens of systems, and a preventive maintenance program can save a mid-size hotel $30,000-80,000 per year.
This guide gives you the complete checklist.
Daily Maintenance Tasks
These should be checked every single day, either by housekeeping during room turnover or by a dedicated morning maintenance walkthrough.
Guest Room Daily Checks (During Housekeeping)
- [ ] HVAC — Is the unit running? Unusual noises? Proper airflow?
- [ ] Lighting — All bulbs working? Switches functioning?
- [ ] Plumbing — Faucets off? No dripping? Toilet flushes properly?
- [ ] TV & Remote — Turns on? Remote has batteries? Channels work?
- [ ] Door & Lock — Opens/closes smoothly? Lock engages? No drafts?
- [ ] Smoke Detector — Green light visible? Not beeping?
- [ ] Windows — Open/close properly? Blinds/curtains intact?
- [ ] Furniture — Drawers open smoothly? No wobbling? No damage?
Public Area Daily Checks
- [ ] Lobby lighting — All fixtures working, clean glass
- [ ] Elevators — Operating normally, no unusual sounds, buttons responsive
- [ ] Restrooms — Faucets, toilets, hand dryers all functioning
- [ ] Parking lot — Lighting working, no potholes, signage visible
- [ ] Pool area (if applicable) — Chemical levels, pump running, gates functioning
- [ ] Emergency exits — Clear, lit, signs visible
Pro tip: Train housekeeping to report issues digitally rather than verbally. A QR code-based reporting system lets housekeepers flag problems in 10 seconds without leaving the room.
Weekly Maintenance Tasks
HVAC Systems
- [ ] Inspect and clean accessible air filters (replace if disposable)
- [ ] Check thermostat calibration in sample rooms (rotate weekly)
- [ ] Inspect window unit gaskets and seals
- [ ] Clear condensate drain lines
- [ ] Check for unusual vibrations or sounds in air handling units
Plumbing
- [ ] Run water in all unoccupied rooms (prevents trap drying)
- [ ] Check common area faucets for drips
- [ ] Inspect visible pipe connections for leaks
- [ ] Test water pressure in sample rooms
- [ ] Clean drain screens in housekeeping areas
Electrical
- [ ] Test emergency lighting and exit signs
- [ ] Check breaker panels for tripped circuits
- [ ] Inspect power strips and extension cords in common areas
- [ ] Test GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchen (push test button)
- [ ] Check exterior lighting (timer/photocell operation)
Life Safety
- [ ] Test fire alarm pull stations (one per floor per week, rotating)
- [ ] Inspect fire extinguisher gauge readings
- [ ] Check stairwell lighting and door closers
- [ ] Verify sprinkler system pressure gauge readings
- [ ] Inspect AED units (if equipped)
Monthly Maintenance Tasks
HVAC Deep Inspection
- [ ] Replace all air filters hotel-wide
- [ ] Clean evaporator coils (or schedule cleaning)
- [ ] Inspect ductwork connections for separation
- [ ] Check refrigerant levels in major units
- [ ] Calibrate all thermostats
- [ ] Inspect and lubricate fan motors
- [ ] Test heating mode (even in summer — catch issues early)
Plumbing Deep Inspection
- [ ] Inspect water heater anode rods (quarterly in hard water areas)
- [ ] Test water temperature at farthest fixtures (should be 120°F ± 5°)
- [ ] Inspect toilet wax rings and bolts (look for base moisture)
- [ ] Check washing machine hoses for bulging
- [ ] Clean and inspect grease traps (kitchen/restaurant)
- [ ] Inspect backflow prevention devices
Electrical Deep Inspection
- [ ] Thermal scan electrical panels (identify hot spots)
- [ ] Test generator (30-minute loaded run)
- [ ] Inspect and tighten connections in main panels
- [ ] Test all transfer switches
- [ ] Check UPS battery status (server room, POS, PMS)
- [ ] Inspect parking lot lighting timer settings (adjust for seasons)
Guest Room Deep Inspection (Rotate 25% of rooms per month)
- [ ] Deep inspect bathroom caulk and grout
- [ ] Test all outlets with outlet tester
- [ ] Inspect under sinks for leaks
- [ ] Check window hardware and seals
- [ ] Inspect mattress for damage/stains (flip schedule)
- [ ] Test door closers and deadbolts
- [ ] Inspect balcony rails and surfaces (if applicable)
- [ ] Check in-room safe operation
Exterior & Grounds
- [ ] Inspect roof for damage, ponding, or debris
- [ ] Clear gutters and downspouts
- [ ] Inspect parking lot surface for cracks/potholes
- [ ] Check irrigation system operation
- [ ] Inspect building exterior for paint peeling, stucco cracks
- [ ] Test exterior security cameras
Seasonal Maintenance Tasks
Spring (March - May)
- [ ] HVAC seasonal switchover — Test cooling mode in all units
- [ ] Service cooling towers
- [ ] Inspect and start pool equipment
- [ ] Power wash exterior walkways, parking areas, pool deck
- [ ] Inspect and repair window screens
- [ ] Service landscaping irrigation system
- [ ] Schedule exterior painting touch-ups
- [ ] Deep clean and inspect kitchen exhaust hoods
Summer (June - August)
- [ ] HVAC peak load test — All units under full cooling demand
- [ ] Monitor and adjust pool chemicals (increased usage)
- [ ] Inspect and maintain outdoor furniture
- [ ] Check ice machine capacity and cleanliness
- [ ] Inspect exterior lighting (storm damage)
- [ ] Service laundry equipment (high volume season)
- [ ] Test dehumidification in humid climates
Fall (September - November)
- [ ] HVAC seasonal switchover — Test heating mode in all units
- [ ] Service boilers and heating equipment
- [ ] Winterize irrigation systems (cold climates)
- [ ] Clean gutters (leaf season)
- [ ] Inspect and service fireplaces
- [ ] Test pipe insulation before freeze season
- [ ] Service snow removal equipment (cold climates)
- [ ] Schedule annual fire alarm system inspection
Winter (December - February)
- [ ] Monitor heating systems daily during cold snaps
- [ ] Check for pipe freezing risks (poorly insulated areas)
- [ ] Inspect ice dam formation on roofs
- [ ] Maintain clear walkways (salt/sand)
- [ ] Service kitchen equipment (holiday banquet season)
- [ ] Plan and budget capital improvement projects for next year
- [ ] Schedule warranty claims before year-end
The Top 5 Maintenance Issues (And How to Prevent Them)
1. HVAC Failures (30% of all requests)
Prevention: Monthly filter changes, quarterly coil cleaning, annual professional service. The #1 cause of HVAC emergency calls is dirty filters — the cheapest and easiest thing to prevent.
Cost of failure: Emergency HVAC repair: $500-2,000. Room out of service: $150-400/night lost revenue. Guest complaint: priceless (negative).
2. Plumbing Leaks (25% of all requests)
Prevention: Quarterly inspection of supply lines, annual faucet cartridge replacement in high-use rooms, monthly drain cleaning. Teach housekeeping to report even minor drips immediately.
Cost of failure: Water damage from a slow leak can cost $5,000-50,000 depending on how long it goes undetected. Insurance claims, mold remediation, and room renovation are catastrophic.
3. Electrical Issues (15% of all requests)
Prevention: Annual thermal scanning of panels, monthly GFCI testing, immediate replacement of flickering fixtures (sign of failing ballast or wiring issue).
Cost of failure: Beyond the fire risk, electrical failures can affect your PMS, door locks, internet, and POS — shutting down operations.
4. Furniture & Fixture Damage (15% of all requests)
Prevention: Quarterly room deep inspection, immediate repair of wobbly chairs/tables (guests won't report until it breaks), rotating mattress inspections.
Cost of failure: Guest injury from a broken chair = liability claim. A wobbly desk that crashes onto a laptop = replacement cost + furious guest.
5. Technology Failures (15% of all requests)
Prevention: Monthly firmware updates for smart TVs, quarterly battery replacement in remotes, annual cable inspection behind furniture, surge protectors on all electronics.
Cost of failure: A guest who can't use the TV, WiFi, or charge their phone writes the harshest reviews.
Tracking Maintenance: Paper vs. Digital
The Paper Problem
If you're still using paper checklists and logbooks, you're fighting with one hand tied behind your back:
- No searchability — "When was Room 415's AC last serviced?" requires digging through binders
- No trend analysis — You can't identify that Room 302 has monthly plumbing issues
- No accountability — Who completed the weekly HVAC check? The signature is illegible
- No real-time status — Is the elevator repair done yet? Nobody knows until someone walks over
The Digital Advantage
A digital maintenance tracking system gives you:
- Real-time dashboard of all open, in-progress, and completed requests
- Automatic trend detection — "Room 302 has had 4 plumbing calls in 3 months"
- Response time metrics — Track average repair time by category
- Photo documentation — Before/after evidence for every repair
- Preventive scheduling — Automatic reminders for monthly/quarterly tasks
- Guest communication — Guests know their issue is being handled
Building Your Preventive Maintenance Program
Step 1: Audit Your Current State
Walk every inch of your property with a clipboard (or better, a tablet). Document:
- Current condition of every major system
- Known recurring issues
- Equipment ages and warranty status
- Last service date for major equipment
Step 2: Prioritize by Impact
Rank your maintenance needs by:
- Life safety (fire, electrical, structural) — Non-negotiable, always first
- Guest impact (HVAC, plumbing, technology) — Directly affects reviews and revenue
- Operational (kitchen equipment, laundry, elevators) — Affects staff efficiency
- Cosmetic (paint, carpet, furnishings) — Affects perception over time
Step 3: Create Your Schedule
Use this guide's checklists to build a calendar:
- Daily items assigned to housekeeping and morning maintenance rounds
- Weekly items split across the work week (Monday = HVAC, Tuesday = Plumbing, etc.)
- Monthly items scheduled for the first week of each month
- Seasonal items scheduled 2 weeks before season changes
Step 4: Assign Ownership
Every checklist item needs a name attached, not just "maintenance team." Assign:
- Primary owner — Who does the inspection/task
- Verification — Who confirms it was done (manager spot checks)
- Escalation — Who gets notified if it's overdue
Step 5: Track and Improve
After 90 days of data:
- Identify your top 3 recurring issues and address root causes
- Measure response time improvement
- Calculate cost savings vs. previous reactive approach
- Adjust your checklist frequency based on actual failure patterns
Getting Started Today
You don't need to implement everything at once. Start with:
- This week: Implement daily guest room checks via housekeeping
- This month: Set up weekly HVAC and plumbing inspections
- This quarter: Deploy a digital maintenance tracking system with QR codes for guest reporting
- This year: Build out the full seasonal PM program
The hotel that prevents problems will always outperform the hotel that reacts to them.
