In recent years, economic pressures like inflation and rising construction costs have forced many building owners and strata managers to delay crucial maintenance works. But when it comes to high rise building facades, putting off essential upgrades and inspections only compounds long-term issues. The reality? Deferring maintenance increases risk, drives up future costs, and can jeopardise both structural integrity and occupant safety.
The True Cost of Delaying Facade Maintenance
High-rise building facades are constantly exposed to weather, pollution, and structural movement. Over time, issues such as cracking, water ingress, corrosion, and concrete spalling can develop. These problems may start small, but without routine facade inspections and preventative maintenance, they escalate quickly. Ongoing proactive maintenance of a building facade is a cost-effective strategy that significantly reduces the need for expensive remedial works and premature recoating. Implementing a scheduled cleaning & maintenance program for the exterior of a property not only preserves the integrity of the building’s protective coating and sealants but also allows for the early identification of minor defects before they escalate into costly issues such as;
- Structural deterioration: Delaying repairs = weakening your building’s core. What starts as a hairline crack with enough time can lead to major structural failure.
- Water ingress & damage: Moisture is a silent destroyer. Unchecked leaks & concrete spalling leads to rot, mould, internal damage, and costly remediation.
- Safety concerns for residents: Facade hazards put lives at risk. Falling render & concrete, unstable panels or windows — it’s a safety liability for residents and passers-by.
- Void manufacturer warranties: Neglected maintenance can void warranties. Paint coatings are not only aesthetically pleasing they are an essential layer of protection to the building. Don’t lose your manufacturer or contractor protections due to avoidable neglect.
- Potential non-compliance with facade safety regulations & annual building audits.
Preventative facade maintenance is an investment in your building’s future. Regular inspections, targeted repairs, and maintenance programs reduce long-term costs and extend the lifespan of your facade system. For strata managers, this means fewer urgent repair bills and less disruption for residents.
Facade maintenance costs are less than 3% of your original facade investment!
Consider an investment of $500,000 in recoating the exterior of a multi-storey building. By comparison, a annual facade cleaning & maintenance program may cost approximately $10,000*— just 2% of the original recoating investment. Much like the routine cleaning & servicing of a vehicle, this modest annual expenditure plays a critical role in extending the service life of facade coatings, as well as window seals, frames, and other structural components exposed to environmental stressors.
*this price is indicative of the facades condition, size, location and can vary excessively from the
mentioned price. Please contact Anchor Safe Rope Access for a free no obligation quote.
Smarter Facade Inspections Start Here
We’ve raised the bar on facade condition reporting by developing a cutting-edge mobile facade inspection app. Developed in collaboration with associate consulting engineers, this cutting-edge app delivers industry leading facade inspection reports with detailed photographic documentation and itemised spreadsheets.
These reports can be quickly filtered and sorted to generate precise bill of quantities, empowering property owners with a clear understanding of facade conditions and defect extents.
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Comprehensive Inspection
High-resolution photographic reporting & detailed findings
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Defect Location Accuracy
Tagging of specific defects by location within the report
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Accurate Scope of Works
Instant generation of itemised spreadsheets and accurate bill of quantities (BoQs)
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Real Time Reporting
Clear, filterable reports that simplify budgeting and planning
Why Work With Anchor Safe?
Anchor Safe Rope Access is a proudly Australian-owned company backed a leader in the height safety industry. As a registered building practitioner and award-winning remedial builder, our exclusive mobile inspection app offers faster, more transparent facade reporting, combined with our rope access expertise that ensures minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. With a proven track record working with strata-managed residential and commercial buildings. We specialise in:
Recent Projects & Success Stories
Anchor Safe has delivered facade maintenance and remedial projects across Australia, working with strata managers, building owners, engineers and property managers. From heritage-listed high rises to modern towers, our expertise ensures compliance, quality, and peace of mind.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Facade?
There’s no better time than now to establish a preventative maintenance plan for your high rise facade. Don’t wait for minor defects to become major liabilities. Contact Anchor Safe Rope Access today to book a high-rise building facade inspection or discuss a tailored facade maintenance program.
Author Bio
Brad Love is a veteran of the rope access painting and decorating industry, with over 47 years of experience under his belt. Brad is the Service Design and Estimator at Anchor Safe Rope Access and a trusted voice in the painting and decorating community.