In the world of self-storage, maintenance is the proactive care and repair of critical facility elements—like gates, lighting, roofing, paving, landscaping and painting—that ensure a property remains secure, functional and inviting. Through our Facilitate® maintenance program, we believe that consistent, preventative care is the foundation of a trusted facility and the difference between costly emergencies and smooth operations.
Key Self-Storage Maintenance Areas That Make a Difference
To keep your facility secure, attractive, and fully functional, several key maintenance areas require regular attention. These core components should be proactively managed to prevent costly issues and ensure smooth operations:
- Gates & Gate Operators: Broken hinges, misaligned tracks, motor strain, gate sagging, corrosion and safety sensors out of adjustment. Gate failures reduce security, disrupt access, may lead to injury and erode trust. Regular repair or adjustment prolongs life.
- Lighting & Electrical: Burned-out fixtures, flickering lights, ballast or LED driver issues, wiring exposure, poor coverage in dark spots. Well-lit areas deter crime, improve safety, and make a facility more attractive at night. Faulty lighting can lead to liability or vandalism.
- Roofing: Missing or damaged shingles, leaks, ponding water, worn flashings, failed membranes and clogged gutters. Roof damage first manifests as annoying leaks but rapidly becomes structural damage and costly repairs. Early inspection saves tens of thousands.
- Painting & Surface Finishes: Fading, peeling or blistering paint; exposed metals beginning to rust; damaged trim. Regular painting protects against moisture intrusion, rust and UV degradation. It also sustains your brand image and perceived quality.
- Paving, Driveways & Walkways: Cracks, potholes, erosion, uneven surfaces, drainage failures, asphalt wear or concrete spalling. Bad paving causes safety risks (tripping, vehicle damage), can accelerate deterioration, and can be expensive to fully repave when neglected.
- Remodeling: Upgrading your office space and facility layout enhances functionality and customer perception. Whether it's modernizing interiors, reconfiguring workspaces, or improving common areas, remodeling ensures your facility evolves with your business needs and maintains a competitive edge.
Why Reactive Self-Storage Maintenance Isn't Enough?
Relying solely on reactive maintenance can be costly—financially, operationally and reputationally. Roof leaks, gate malfunctions, lighting failures, or deteriorated paving can lead to:
- Higher repair costs once issues escalate
- Downtime or access problems, which frustrate tenants and may harm retention
- Safety hazards that may result in liability
- Reduced curb appeal or perceived value, impacting demand and occupancy
Instead of reactive maintenance, Facilitate emphasizes the importance of structured maintenance contracts that include regular inspections, preventive services, and timely repairs — so you can identify and repair minor issues to prevent them from becoming big problems with bigger price tags. Our "Rethinking Maintenance" strategy extends asset life, protects investment value and minimizes unexpected expenses.
Why Facility Maintenance Matters?
A self-storage facility is more than an aggregation of doors and units—it’s a secure, functional, and visually appealing investment. Neglecting facility maintenance isn’t just about postponed bills; it’s about risk to your brand, safety, and long-term ROI.
A strong maintenance partner provides:
- Comprehensive, proactive risk-reduction: Regular inspections, seasonal checklists, preventive measures to avoid major failures.
- Expertise across trades: Roofing, electrical, gates/doors, paving, painting—all under one coordinated program so you avoid juggling multiple contractors.
- Responsive reactive repair: When something does break, prompt service with trackable response times to minimize disruption.
- Transparent contracts and clear scopes of work: So there are no surprises, and responsibilities are well defined.
- Lifecycle planning: Knowing when repair becomes replacement, to budget accordingly and preserve asset value.
We're ready to be the partner that keeps your facility ahead of issues, so it remains safe and appealing and allows you to reliably serves both your tenants and your financial goals. If you’re looking for a maintenance solution that is consistent, full-service, and built to protect what you’ve built, we can help.
Want to learn more?
Download our infographic to see the benefits of partnering with the Facilitate team of experts.
About Our Author
Hamish Gamble is the Director of Facilitate for Janus International’s U.S. operations, supplying self-storage owner-operators with complete facility maintenance services to keep their properties in peak condition. Previously, he headed up the Facilitate division for Janus Australia. Hamish brings 15 years of expertise running his own general contractor business and working in building and property maintenance both commercially and residentially.
.jpg?width=1000&height=100&name=JANUS_BANNER_Subscribe%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)
