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Buying Time: Mothballing Forest Service Facilities

Monitoring and Maintenance

Once the building has been mothballed, routine visits will help you detect vandalism or other problems, such as leaks or weather-related damage. The frequency of visits depends on the building's location, the availability of personnel, and budgets. More frequent visits might save money by detecting problems early and allowing corrective action before problems become larger and more costly to correct.

If the building is in an area served by regular police or fire departments, they should be notified that the property is being mothballed. Provide information such as:

  • When the building is going to be vacant
  • When visits by Forest Service employees are scheduled
  • How long the building may be mothballed

If possible, schedule a building walk-through with fire or law enforcement officers so they can become familiar with the layout of the building and surrounding area. This information can help them plan ahead so they know how to respond to emergencies.

A mothballing checklist helps ensure that monitoring and maintenance duties have not been overlooked. This checklist also serves as a framework for maintenance that needs to be performed while the building is mothballed.

The mothballing checklist and the mothballing maintenance chart (both developed by the NPS) are good summaries of the types of treatments needed to keep buildings from deteriorating while they are vacant (adapted from Park 1993 and Eaton 2000).

Mothballing Checklist

Moisture

  • Is the roof watertight?
  • Do the gutters retain their proper pitch and are they clean?
  • Are downspout joints intact?
  • Are drains unobstructed?
  • Are windows and doors and their frames in good condition?
  • Are masonry walls in good condition to seal out moisture?
  • Is wood siding in good condition?
  • Is the site properly graded for water runoff?

Pests

  • Have nests/pests been removed from the building's interior and eaves?
  • Are adequate screens in place to guard against pests?
  • Has the building been inspected and treated for termites, carpenter ants, rodents, etc.?
  • If toxic droppings from bats and pigeons are present, has a special company been brought in for disposal?

Housekeeping

  • Have the following been removed from the interior: trash, hazardous materials such as flammable liquids and poisons, plants, and canned goods that could freeze and burst?

  • Has the interior been swept clean?

  • Have furnishings been moved to a safe location?

  • If furnishings remain in the building, are they properly protected from dust, pests, ultraviolet light, and other potentially harmful problems?

Security

  • Have fire and police departments been notified that the building will be mothballed?
  • Are smoke and fire detectors in working order?
  • Are the exterior doors and windows securely fastened?
  • Are plans in place to monitor the building regularly?
  • Are keys to the building in a secure but accessible location?
  • Are the grounds being kept from becoming overgrown?

Utilities

  • Have utility companies disconnected/shut off or fully inspected water, gas, and electric lines?
  • If the building will not be heated, have water pipes been drained and glycol added?
  • If the electricity is to be left on, is the wiring in safe condition?

Ventilation

  • Have steps been taken to ensure proper ventilation of the building?
  • Have interior doors been left open for ventilation?
  • Has the secured building been checked in the last 3 months for interior dampness or excessive humidity?

—Adapted from "Mothballing Historic Buildings" (Park 1993) and
"Parrot Hall Architectural Conservation Assessment" (Eaton 2000).

For a pdf version of this checklist click here.



Mothballing Maintenance Chart
1 to 3 Months—Periodic Every 6 Months—Spring and Fall Every 12 Months
  • Perform regular driveby surveillance

  • Check attic during storms, if possible

  • Walk around the structure monthly

  • Check entrances

  • Check window panes for breakage

  • Mow as required

  • Check for graffiti or vandalism

  • Enter every 3 months to air out

  • Check for musty air

  • Check for moisture damage

  • Check battery packs and monitoring equipment, if present

  • Check light bulbs, if any

  • Check for evidence of pests
  • Clean up site; prune and trim

  • Check gutter and downspout

  • Check crawl space for pests

  • Clean out storm drains
  • Inspect equipment and utilities

  • Check roof for loose or missing shingles

  • Inspect/treat for termites and other pests

  • Repair exterior materials: touch up paint

  • Remove bird droppings or other stains from exterior

  • Check and update the building documentation
—Adapted from "Mothballing Historic Buildings" (Park 1993) and
"Parrot Hall Architectural Conservation Assessment" (Eaton 2000).

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