Author: MaintenX

Tips for Maintaining Long-Term Backflow Prevention Programs

Backflow prevention is a necessity for any commercial or business facility, and there are a few different devices that accomplish this. Whichever you use in your facility, a long-term backflow prevention program needs to be well-maintained in order for it to work properly. The most effective method for doing this correctly is regularly scheduled preventative maintenance.

The most important thing you can do to maintain a backflow prevention assembly is to test it at the required times. It’s recommended to test Double check valve (DCV) systems every 3 years and make fixes as necessary. The more complex reduced pressure zone (RPZ) models should be tested once a year, and rebuilt every five. For both types, this ensures that any problems in the systems are identified early on and taken care of before larger problems arise.

Don’t delay in fixing these systems! Backflow failure can contaminate drinking water and cause severe plumbing mishaps, which is dangerous and will cost the business much more in the long run. We at MaintenX excel in running backflow prevention program tests and repairs, so contact us whenever you wish!

Your Complete Refrigeration Maintenance Checklist

It takes many different kinds of equipment to run a facility, but certain types of businesses are reliant on refrigeration machinery to operate. For restaurants and other food service companies, it is essential to have properly working refrigerators and freezers. Therefore, the maintenance of that equipment is important to understand and plan for.

The key to properly maintaining refrigeration equipment is regular inspections and cleanings. The visible parts of the units should be cleaned daily, as mandated by most health codes, but the insides of the machines are also important to clean often. Depending on usage, it is recommended to take apart the equipment completely, clean every component, and put it back together at least a few times a year, if not once a month. This will help enhance sanitation and prevent bacteria and mold from growing.

In addition to cleaning, each working part of the machinery should be inspected often to ensure that it is in proper working order. This prevents breakdown of the appliances, but also promotes energy efficiency cuts down on costly energy waste. It is always better to perform small fixes and swap out individual parts such as coils, motors, and fans during the regular cleaning than replacing the whole unit when it breaks down.

Preventative maintenance and cleaning is the key to maintaining refrigeration equipment. MaintenX can help you come up with the best schedule for you and ensure every item on this checklist is taken care of.

Landscaping Tips for Fall Weather

In fall, many parts of the country enjoy more temperate weather and beautiful colors on plant life. This natural array doesn’t mean landscaping maintenance stops for your business, however. In fact, fall is the time for forward-looking landscaping to prepare your lawn and storefront for the upcoming winter.

With winter frost approaching, it is important to protect your plants from the impending chill. Leaves may wither and drop, but it’s the roots that need to survive. One way to keep them warm is to spread mulch around the area; usually a layer of two or three inches will suffice. Wrapping smaller plants and shrubbery is also a good idea, as is surrounding them with shredded leaves or burlap.

While fall isn’t typically the time to prune, it is still a good idea to clear away dead and dying plants to give the healthier ones a greater chance of surviving the next season. If you are considering adding new plants to your landscape, only do so if they’ll have time to establish themselves before the cold hits. Most nurseries have fall sales to get rid of stock before the winter, so you may have the opportunity to score a major deal.

Landscaping in the fall requires a certain finesse and skill, but it’s certainly worth it to keep your business front looking sharp. If you require assistance, we at MaintenX are always at the ready to assist you in all your landscaping needs.

How Often Does a Backflow Preventer Need to be Tested?

A backflow preventer is an important piece of equipment that enhances a facility’s plumbing system. Just like any other piece of equipment, it must be well maintained in order to be effective. As a facility manager, knowing how to take care of your backflow preventer will keep it working properly for as long as possible.

How often a backflow preventer needs to be tested depends on its type. There are two main kinds of backflow preventers, and each has its own maintenance requirements. Double check valve assembly (DCV) and reduced pressure zone assembly (RPZ) devices are most commonly used in commercial facilities.

DCV assembly backflow preventers need to be tested at least once every three years. RPZ assembly models, on the other hand, require a bit more maintenance. They must not only be tested annually, but rebuilt every five years. If not, there could be serious harmful backflow.

If you discover anything amiss in the testing of the backflow preventer, it is a good idea to handle it right then. This kind of preventative maintenance will go a long way to minimizing the risk of a major breakdown. To learn more about how we at MaintenX can assist you in performing these tests and any necessary repairs, please contact us today.

Protecting your Building and Occupants from Severe Weather

When severe weather is headed your way, you as a facility manager want to protect your building not only for the sake of the business, but also for its occupants. Weather can sometimes be unpredictable, so you don’t want to leave preparations to the last minute. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, make sure to have a plan for your facility ahead of time.

The first is to assess the areas of your facility that are most susceptible to water, wind, and fire damage. Typical weak areas include doors, windows, and skylights; if it was designed for people to pass through it, the elements will be able to more easily. A thorough inspection of your building will reveal less obvious vulnerabilities.

Once you know this, you can begin fortifying those areas to make them stronger. If windows and skylights are the main weaknesses and you face high winds, consider installing hurricane-proof glass. If you’re vulnerable to water, make sure doors and windows have tight seals and that the roof has no leaks. If there is electrical equipment near potential water entry points and you know a big storm is on the horizon, move them to safer areas.

If your location is vulnerable to sudden disasters, have an evacuation plan as well. If your building is strong enough, consider offering it as a shelter for your employees.

Proper planning goes a long way to protecting your building and occupants from severe weather, so you want to begin developing this now. To learn more about how we at MaintenX can assist you in this, please contact us anytime.

What to do when your Business has an Electrical Emergency

As a facility manager, the goal of your maintenance plan will always be to prevent major problems. Sometimes, however, emergencies happen and the best you can do is try to mitigate the damage. In the event of an electrical emergency, there are a few things to keep in mind to manage it as safely and effectively as possible.

The first thing you should do in an electrical emergency is to shut off the main power source as quickly as possible. No maintenance can be done on the system if power is still flowing. All buildings have a breaker board, so shut off the main line if you are unable to determine the specific source of the problem. Doing this will prevent the risk of shock, fire, and related injuries to employees or customers.

If your emergency involves fire or injury, call 911 immediately. Never try to assist someone with a damp object, and never try to put out an electrical fire with water. Use a fire extinguisher, as it won’t spread the flames.

You should always have a plan in place to deal with electrical emergencies, but it’s preferable to prevent them. This can be done through a preventative maintenance plan, which MaintenX can help you develop and execute. For this and other emergency repairs to your electrical equipment or systems, please contact us any time!

What to do when your Business has a Plumbing Emergency

The goal of any maintenance plan is to prevent major problems in a business facility, but sometimes the worst does happen. In the event of a plumbing emergency, you as a facility manager must be aware of how to help minimize damages and deal with the situation as quickly as possible.

The first thing to do when your business has a plumbing emergency is to turn off the closest main water source. If there is a leak, the flow of water must cease before repairs can begin. This will also minimize wasted water and potential flooding damages. Most buildings have a main valve or emergency cutoff switch; always be aware of where this is so it can be used in a pinch. Next, move any vulnerable equipment off the floor or away from the leak.

Try to stop small leaks from happening. A good preventative maintenance plan identifies those and stops them from enlarging. Small leaks require fixes, but big ones require equipment replacement and might involve auxiliary damages.

Sometimes emergency breakdowns are unavoidable. A good facility manager will not only respond quickly and effectively to these situations, but do his utmost to prevent them. The risk of sudden failure can be minimized with the right preventative maintenance plan. For all your maintenance needs, preventive or emergency, the technicians at MaintenX are always at the ready to lend a helping hand.

Tips for Maintaining Commercial Refrigeration Equipment

All parts of a business facility are important, but if you are a restaurant or food service company, then maintaining your commercial refrigeration equipment is a major priority. You pay for poorly maintained equipment not only in repairs, but in lost inventory as well as downtime. To avoid that, devise a good plan for maintaining your refrigeration equipment through preventative maintenance and thorough cleanings.

The key to effectively maintaining commercial refrigeration equipment is meticulous cleaning. This doesn’t just mean doing a sweep of the inside, it means taking apart the whole machine and cleaning what’s inside as well. This kind of cleaning should be done at least a few times a year, but up to once a month depending on usage.

In addition to cleaning, inspect the vital components regularly and replace them as necessary. This includes coils, fans, motors, ice makers, etc. If the equipment is running inefficiently, you will spend more in energy bills and the risk of breakdown will rise.

Overall, the best thing you can do in maintaining any facility equipment is to devise and execute a preventative maintenance plan. It allows you to plan your hardware expenses, and makes for a safer and more efficient workplace. To learn about how the technicians of MaintenX can assist you with this, please contact us today!

When to Repair, and When to Replace, your Air Conditioning System

It’s an age-old question in the world of facility maintenance: to repair a piece of equipment, or to replace it? It is usually cheaper to repair, but there comes a point of diminishing returns at which replacement becomes the more cost-effective option. For HVAC systems this varies, but there are a few factors that be helpful in assessing the situation.

As a rule of thumb, 12-15 years is the average lifespan of an HVAC system. Most of the time, if the system is under 12 years old, there is no need to replace it, unless you are looking to upgrade. Once you pass the 15 year mark, however, it is time to consider acquiring and installing a new one preemptively.

That being said, it is always a good idea to gather as much information about your current air conditioning system as possible before making a decision. A thorough inspection of the system, especially ductwork, will help you determine its efficiency. If you can pinpoint a part that is dragging it down, repair that part. If it would be too costly, replace the whole system.

Whether you do decide to repair or replace your air conditioning system, we at MaintenX are here to support you. To schedule an assessment of your HVAC system and weigh options with our trained technicians, please contact us today.

The Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Businesses

The role of the facility manager is to successfully oversee all aspects of a business’s building. No system or piece of equipment should be overlooked, and certainly not one as important as plumbing. With many different aspects to manage, it is a good idea to develop a checklist that will help you keep track of what needs to be maintained and when. The benefits of checklists are well-documented across fields, from hospitals to the military; they make sure nothing is forgotten and procedure is followed.

The most important things to maintain within a facility’s plumbing system are the fixtures that everyone operates: sinks, faucets, toilets, drains, etc. Because they see the heaviest use, they represent the most likely point of failure in terms of clogs and leaks. Be sure to inspect these for these regularly.

But don’t do this at the expense of internal plumbing. This includes water temperature controls, seals, water flow devices, boilers, sprinklers, and more. You may not think about these as often since they operate behind the scenes, but they matter. In fact, failure of those components is usually the most costly and disruptive.

The most efficient way to maintain plumbing for a business is to establish and stick to a preventative maintenance plan. MaintenX can help you develop a plan in a way that is most convenient and effective for you. Our skilled technicians are always at the ready to assist you with all of your plumbing maintenance needs, so feel free to contact us at any time.