What is the main difference between preventative and non-preventative maintenance?

The main difference between preventative and non-preventative maintenance lies in the approach to system and equipment upkeep. Preventative maintenance is proactive, involving scheduled inspections, servicing, and repairs to prevent equipment failures and ensure optimal performance. It's a systematic approach that anticipates potential issues before they occur, and as such, it is expected and accounted for in maintenance budgets and schedules.

By being planned and regular, preventative maintenance helps in extending the life of equipment and minimizing unplanned downtimes, which can lead to significant cost savings. This is why it is categorized as both expected and accounted for in maintenance practices.

Non-preventative maintenance, on the other hand, typically refers to reactive measures taken after equipment has already experienced a failure or significant wear. It is often unplanned, making it less predictable and harder to budget for since it can lead to sudden repairs without prior arrangements.

Thus, the accuracy of the focus on preventative maintenance being expected and budgeted, while non-preventative maintenance reacts to already identified problems, underscores the difference effectively.