What is the purpose of preventative maintenance?

The purpose of preventative maintenance is fundamentally to maintain capital assets and prevent deterioration. This proactive approach involves regularly scheduled inspections, servicing, and repairs that help ensure that assets operate efficiently and safely throughout their lifespan. By addressing minor issues before they escalate into major problems, organizations can extend the life of their assets, reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, and minimize costly repairs or replacements in the future.

Preventative maintenance also contributes to better performance and reliability by ensuring that equipment and facilities are functioning at optimal levels. This not only leads to cost savings over time but also enhances the value of capital investments.

The other options do not align with the primary goals of preventative maintenance. Replacing assets that have deteriorated suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach, delaying repairs until funding is available indicates a lack of immediate care, and increasing the cost of future projects is contrary to the cost-saving intent of preventative measures.