Beyond The Repair Bill: The True Price Of Corrective Maintenance In Construction

Few things are more frustrating on site than when your machine breaks down and becomes inoperable. This is why regular servicing and maintenance are both very important to avoid machine downtime, which as we know can be costly to a business. If machines are not regularly serviced, a sudden problem is more likely to occur. This can be very annoying and does not only mean halting procedures on the current job but also causing delays on future jobs. 

In the construction and machinery industry, there are three categories of servicing and maintenance, and while breakdowns are unavoidable, they can be both disruptive and expensive.  Therefore, the approach a business chooses for machine maintenance significantly impacts their overall performance.  Developing an effective maintenance strategy for a company is a pivotal factor in maintaining success and ensuring operational continuity. View our service plans here.

The three type of Servicing/Maintenance are:

Preventive maintenance is servicing that is carried out regularly even if your machine is working absolutely fine. This will mean inspecting your machine for wear and tear and repairing/replacing parts as necessary. Maintaining your machine in this way helps prevent major failures which can be more costly and disruptive. 

Predictive Maintenance plan for machines may require you to be in tune with your machine and its capabilities to foresee when a service may be needed. This may be based on number of hours or the number of jobs completed. Again, this is a planned service so you are in control and will be able to consider a time that suits you and your workload.

Corrective Maintenance occurs when machines break down, usually without warning, these machine repairs are often more expensive. A sudden breakdown can be very disruptive to your installation process. The repair is usually hurried and very unplanned so it is a case of getting fitted in with a repair shop as and when you can, not to mention you may not be able to be fitted in immediately for a repair as construction equipment maintenance services could be fully booked. A break-down mid spray could also cause inconsistent render/plaster/paint finishes and it may even mean starting the whole project from the beginning to rectify. An unexpected breakdown may also incur further costs if you need to hire alternative equipment to keep up with your workload.

So there we have it, the different types of maintenance.  It is self explanatory why corrective maintenance in all industries, not just construction, can be disadvantageous to a company.  This approach often leads to longer machine downtimes, increased repair bills and an increased likelihood of unexpected operational interruptions, making it a less economical and efficient option for organisations aiming to sustain peak asset performance.

Why is service and maintenance important?

1. Lengthens the lifespan of your machine.

2. Saves you money in the long-term.

3. Lowers the risk of breakdowns.

4. Avoids Unplanned downtime.

5. Increases machine efficiency.

6. Boosts customer satisfaction.

7. Ensures a more superior finish.

8. Improves company image.

9. Promotes health and safety.

What Can I do?

As well as having a machine maintenance plan, booking your machine in with a reputable servicing company (don’t forget CES service many machines even if you’ve not purchased from us), there are measures you can take to maintain your machine in excellent condition:

Daily checks- Regularly servicing your machine is crucial for its health but taking just 10-15 minutes each time you use it to inspect the basics is a straightforward yet powerful method to guarantee its longevity and peak performance. Performing these regular inspections enables you to easily spot any potential issues like clogged filters, low oil levels, worn rotor and stator parts, deteriorated hoses, or missing seals. This proactive approach not only helps prevent costly breakdowns but also allows you to promptly address any issues, ensuring your machine stays in optimal working order. 

Cleaning-Keeping your machine clean not only improves the professional image of your company but also benefits the performance of your machine and prevents unnecessary strain on your machine and keeps its wearable parts in great condition. Each machine has different cleaning techniques that you should follow to keep it running at it’s best, you should refer to the specific instructions for your machine. For example, cleaning out plaster/render before it hardens and sets in a plaster/rendering machine and then cleaning the pan between each resin bound mix on a forced action mixer, removing the excess resin so it doesn’t stick and set on the mixer. We sell the all important cleaning sprays and materials here at CES.

Spare parts- It is important to replace/fix parts before they deteriorate or break completely. Keeping a machine running with worn parts will cause more damage and further costs in the long term. Operating a machine with damaged parts means it will not work so efficiently and can cause product waste too, adding further unnecessary cost. An example of this is changing the rotor and stator when it needs to be changed. It's also wise to keep spare parts readily available in case they're required during your work sessions, such as rotors & stators, and other essential components. Make sure you’re greasing parts, topping up oils, checking hoses and filters.

Our team at CES will customise the service to cater to your specific needs, taking into account whether your machine operates on diesel or electricity, and its current condition. We offer a variety of construction equipment repair services to suit your requirements, tailored to ensure optimal performance, each including essential tasks such as inspecting the rotor & stator, checking safety features, applying lubrication, examining tyres, changing engine oil, replacing filters, cleaning components, and more. Regardless of where you purchased your machine, our service and maintenance packages are accessible to guarantee its peak performance.  Make the most of our hassle-free collection and drop-off service to simplify the process of scheduling maintenance in for your machine. Feel free to give us a call at 01494 715472 to schedule your service or inquire for more information. Alternatively, you can reach out to us via email.