Author: MaintenX

How To Prevent Mold And Mildew In Your Restrooms

Mold and mildew are common enemies in commercial building bathrooms. Due to higher foot traffic and the occasional leaky faucet or messy visitor, you can develop these types of fungus quickly from water damage. While mold and mildew can be removed with chemical products and some elbow grease, it is much better to prevent it from developing in the first place. 

 

Below are three different strategies to implement in your daily maintenance routine to keep mold and mildew out of your restrooms: 

 

Ensure proper ventilation

Ventilation is your first defense against mold and mildew growth in your facility. Fungus thrives in a damp, dark environment, but with proper ventilation, water will evaporate quickly and mold won’t have a chance to thrive. This is important not only in your bathroom but in kitchen spaces where water and other contaminants also cause mold growth. 

 

Fix leaks immediately

Leaky faucets and drains are another common culprit of mold growth inside the bathroom. They can become especially problematic around toilets, as they are less likely to be noticed and cleaned as thoroughly as the sink. If you see or receive a report of a leaking pipe or faucet in the bathroom, call for service that day. The longer you let the leak drip, the more likely you are to experience mold and other problems, not to mention the water you waste. 

 

Clean your restrooms with antimicrobial cleaners

Most commercial cleaners use some sort of antibacterial or antimicrobial chemicals in them to ensure they are properly sanitized at the end of the day. If you’re using an all-purpose cleaner, you may want to consider switching to prevent mold and mildew growth. You’re not just trying to kill germs, but kill the microorganisms that grow into visible mold and mildew. By using the right cleaners on a daily basis, you can kill mold before it starts to grow. 

 

Mold and mildew can be health hazards if it persists in your restrooms. Don’t let this affect your indoor air quality or guest experience – contact MaintenX today for help removing mold and mildew from your facility. We offer maintenance programs to fix faucets and leaks and service ventilation systems for proper care of your bathrooms. To learn more, contact your local MaintenX today!

15 Spare Parts You Should Always Have On Hand

MaintenX strives to make our clients’ maintenance programs as efficient as possible. That is why we encourage all clients to implement preventative maintenance protocols to reduce emergency repairs and make their operating equipment last its intended service life. However, even with the best preventative maintenance service, emergency repairs will happen from time to time. 

 

When a maintenance emergency occurs, you want to be prepared for an immediate fix. You can help out your MaintenX team by keeping some tools and supplies on hand to ensure your team can begin repairs as soon as a diagnosis is made. In addition to a basic toolkit, keep these 15 items on hand for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC repair. 

 

For electrical repair: 

  • Fuses and trip switches
  • Wall switches
  • Plug sockets
  • Electric wire and cables
  • Electric tape

 

For plumbing repair: 

 

  • Hoses
  • Ball valves
  • Rubber gaskets
  • Insulation
  • Silicone for minor seals

 

For HVAC repair: 

 

  • A motor and reducer (these can take up to for weeks to get, so if yours breaks down, you’ll want a spare)
  • Seals and o-rings
  • Bearings and burner gaskets
  • Air filters
  • Hot surface igniters

 

With these spare parts on hand, you can make your MaintenX technician’s job much easier and faster, thus expediting your emergency repairs. Make sure to choose parts based on your manufacturer’s recommendations, or call your MaintenX technician for help ordering. 

 

While most of these parts are cheap and easy to store, the more expensive ones are the parts you should prioritize, as they can take several weeks to arrive (thus the need for parts on hand). However, if you don’t have these parts on hand, MaintenX will ensure your dispatch includes everything you need to be up and operating as soon as possible. 

 

To learn more about our emergency repair services, give MaintenX a call today!

Is DIY Drain Cleaning A Good Idea?

Commercial buildings put a lot of wear and tear on their plumbing. Whether its kitchen grease, chemical products, or simply the high foot traffic of commercial bathrooms, you are likely to experience more backups and drain issues than you would in a residential building. This is why drain cleaning is so critical to commercial buildings and should be done on an annual basis along with backflow testing and other plumbing maintenance. 

 

Many commercial facility managers believe that they can simply use a chemical drain cleaner, but there are several reasons why we don’t recommend this: 

 

  • Commercial drains are much more complex. A simple drain cleaner won’t work as effectively and likely won’t reach every clog in your commercial system. 

 

  • Commercial drains are often more expensive to repair. Chemical drain cleaners cause corrosion which can lead to damage over time. While this may not be a big deal at home when you’re looking for a quick fix, it becomes an expensive repair when you’re talking about commercial plumbing. 

 

  • Commercial drains have much higher standards to meet. You have an obligation to both customers and employees to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. If you neglect to clean your plumbing, you could end up with nasty leaks and backups that can ruin your health and safety standards. 

 

Options for Drain Cleaning

 

Because chemical cleaners are much riskier and not effective for commercial drains, we recommend regular hydro jetting services to keep your pipes clean. Using highly pressurized water, this service can remove tree roots, dirt, grease, and other buildup in your pipes without damaging them. It can be used for both emergency and regular cleaning, as well as snaking services for lesser clogs. 

 

Call for Professional Service from MaintenX

 

Take the guesswork out of commercial drain cleaning by calling MaintenX for help. We offer a variety of options for drain cleaning and plumbing services to ensure you don’t have to worry about backups or leaks at your business. Plus, our experienced plumbers can help you install more energy-efficient appliances to reduce costs further at your facility. To learn more about our comprehensive plumbing care services, contact MaintenX today!

The Most Common Roofing Issues for Businesses

If you’re lucky, you never have to experience roofing issues while owning or leasing a commercial building. If you do, you’ll soon realize just how much of a headache they can become when you’re not prepared. Roofing maintenance is much easier than roofing repair and replacement, so we recommend avoiding these common roofing mistakes at all costs. 

 

Below are the most common issues we see with our clients’ commercial roofing. If you are experiencing any of these issues or want to avoid them in the future, talk to your MaintenX team about proper preventative care for your roofing type: 

 

Poor installation

Improper installation is unfortunately one of the most common reasons that commercial roofing does not last to the full extent of its intended service life. If your roofing was installed without proper flashing, insulation, or simply does not look good aesthetically, it can have adverse effects on your facility as a whole. Ensure you avoid this mistake by hiring MaintenX professionals who specialize in commercial roofing only. 

 

Roof leaks

A roof leak often happens when damage to the shingles or flashing happen during a storm. However, left untreated this can cause major water intrusion, mold, and other health hazards within your facility in no time. Roof leaks can also happen due to poor installation, but luckily these can be fixed by a commercial roofing specialist. 

 

Gutter damage

Gutter damage not only makes it less welcoming for guests to walk into your facility when it rains, but it can put pressure on your roofing that will damage it over time. Gutters that are not cleaned in the spring will build up debris and cause your roof and flashing to sag. Avoiding this issue is easy with annual cleaning and maintenance, so be sure to schedule your gutter cleaning in the spring. 

 

Wrong roof type

A roof that is not properly suited for the building will need more maintenance than one that has been planned and installed properly. For example, if your facility is in a sunny location and is not made to resist UV rays and heating in the summer, you could be replacing it early. However, if your facility is on the coast and the roofing is not rated for hurricane-force winds, you’ll likely have much more damage than other buildings during a major hurricane season.

 

MaintenX helps businesses plan, install, maintain, and repair roofing for all types of industries and building types. To learn more about roofing maintenance and repair, give your local MaintenX a call today!

The Most Common Electrical Emergencies for Businesses

Electrical work is something that scares most facility managers. It is a dangerous job, but one that your entire facility depends on in order to function properly for years on end. Without proper electrical maintenance, your facility is in big trouble when a power surge or outage occurs. 

 

Below are the four most common issues that occur with commercial electrical systems. If you want to avoid the operational problems that come with these maintenance issues, talk to your MaintenX team about preventative care for your electrical system: 

 

Mechanical wear and tear. 

Wires, insulation, and other mechanical parts of the electrical system are easily frayed and experience wear and tear throughout the years. If you own an older building, it is likely that your wiring could use some patching up. It’s important to keep up with monthly pest prevention to reduce the likelihood of chewed wires, as well as annual electrical inspections to ensure you’re up to code and your technician can detect issues before they become emergencies. 

 

Electrical surge. 

While electrical surges can happen due to downed power lines or extreme weather, they are more commonly caused by faulty wiring and appliance hookups. An occasional surge isn’t a big deal, but faulty electrical installations will damage your equipment over time. If you have an older building with faulty wiring, ask your MaintenX contractor about options for rewiring that will limit downtime. 

 

A lack of backup power. 

Backup power is arguably just as important as your electrical system for the continuity of your facility. Without a properly running standby generator or UPS system, you could find yourself in big trouble during a storm or local outage. If you haven’t invested in backup power for your business, talk to your MaintenX contractor about the best options for your building. And, if you do have one, be sure to schedule annual maintenance to ensure that when you need it, your backup power is in tip-top shape.

 

Failure to trip.

Circuit breakers are made to trip if they sense any sort of electrical problem. While this can be annoying when it happens, it will save our facility from electrical damage or worse, electrical fires. However, if you notice a humming or buzzing sound coming from your breaker box, this could indicate that this critical safety feature is not functioning properly. This is one of the more dangerous electrical issues that is unfortunately common in older commercial buildings, so be sure to get it checked out if you notice anything out of the norm. 

 

MaintenX offers comprehensive electrical maintenance services including emergency repairs, preventative care programs, and installation service. To learn more about how to properly care for your electrical system, contact us today.

The Most Common HVAC Emergencies for Businesses

In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, most of our businesses experience HVAC problems at least once during their ownership or rental of older buildings. HVAC machines are some of the most weathered components of your facility due to daily use and overexertion in peak summer and winter months. If you operate a commercial kitchen or medical facility where ventilation is also put into overdrive, you can expect to invest more in HVAC maintenance than any other part of your maintenance protocol. 

 

Below are three of the most common HVAC emergencies for businesses, and what you can do to prevent them from happening to you: 

 

Ignition problems

When HVAC maintenance is lacking, ignition problems are incredibly common. They can result from pilot, flame sensor, or burner issues often caused by dirt buildup or wear and tear on the parts. One of the most common symptoms of this is short cycling, but it can lead to a complete HVAC breakdown if you don’t tend to it. The best way to prevent ignition problems is to schedule regular cleaning so your parts are in good shape and your HVAC technician has the ability to catch problems early while they run inspections. 

 

Mechanical wear and tear

Even a well-maintained system will experience wear and tear on belts, bearings, and other components within the vents and furnace. However, these can be exacerbated by overheating, improper airflow, or general lack of care for HVAC parts. While you cannot fully prevent wear and tear on parts, you can ensure parts are changed before they cause problems with regular maintenance checks on your HVAC system. 

 

Thermostat issues

If you ever experience HVAC issues but don’t notice any unusual change in noise or functioning of the units themselves, your thermostat is likely the culprit. If your thermostat is not registering the right temperature, your HVAC system will either run all day or will run shorter cycles because it is reacting to wrong information. You may need to move your thermostat, repair it, or replace it with a smart thermostat to ensure your facility is at a comfortable temperature. 

 

MaintenX can work with you to resolve these problems and many more through preventative care programs for your HVAC system. Our preventative maintenance helps you avoid costly repairs and extend the service life of your machinery, leading to long-term cost savings. To learn more, give your local MaintenX team a call today!

The Most Common Plumbing Emergencies for Businesses

Plumbing emergencies are one of the most common emergency repairs we perform at MaintenX. HVAC, roofing, and even some electrical issues can wait until morning, but plumbing is an essential function for any business that can require a shutdown almost immediately. That is why we recommend regular hydro-jetting and preventative care services to limit plumbing emergencies for our clients. 

 

Below are five of our most common plumbing emergency calls, and what you can do to prevent them: 

 

Clogged sinks

A clogged sink may not seem like an emergency, but it can become one in a commercial kitchen or restroom if the water stops flowing altogether. Luckily, this is often a quick fix using a snake or hydro-jet, but the best way to prevent this is to avoid disposing of grease, food, and other solids down your sink. 

 

Burst pipes and water lines

Pipes can break due to freezing, tree roots, or unresolved clogs that lead to structural damage to the pipes. Unfortunately, this can require replacement of the entire plumbing system which could take a day or more to accomplish. If you want to prevent this from happening at your facility, schedule regular pipe cleaning and insulate piping to ensure it does not burst due to weather. 

 

Overflowing or clogged toilets. 

Businesses must provide a working restroom for employees, which means a clogged or overflowing toilet can shut you down quickly. The best prevention strategy is to care for your piping, so never skip your recommended preventative maintenance for plumbing. If this happens, contact your MaintenX technician immediately to resolve the issue. 

 

Your sewer backs up.

Sewer issues are some of the most complex for businesses to deal with, especially if it is a city problem and not a building problem. You can detect sewage backup from gurgling toilets, unpleasant odors, or unexplained wet areas in your landscaping. If you notice one of these, contact your MaintenX team and city immediately to find out what is causing the issue. 

 

Your water heater stops functioning.

Many businesses use tankless water heaters to prevent costly repairs and ensure automatic hot water every time a faucet is used. However, that doesn’t mean that tankless water heaters are flawless. Any water heater can break down, which can cause issues for all types of businesses. Regular maintenance checks to detect problems early is the best way to ensure this never happens at your facility.

 

MaintenX can help you put these plumbing problems to rest through careful preventative care. To learn more about what plumbing services we offer, contact your local MaintenX team today!

Four Things You Should Never Do In A Commercial Kitchen

MaintenX specializes in commercial kitchen maintenance, which means we’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly, MaintenX is the number one source for maintenance issues in the busy world of food service. While most of our clients do an excellent job in maintaining their essential systems, there are several things we’ve seen over the years that make maintenance more difficult for us and their teams. 

 

If you work in or manage a commercial kitchen, be sure to never make these maintenance mistakes while on the job: 

 

Pouring grease down the drain 

This is the number one problem our plumbing teams see in commercial kitchens. Not only is it unsightly when it comes out, but grease can cause your plumbing to back up, leading to an on-the-job disaster when it happens. Teach your employees the proper way to dispose of grease to ensure it never happens to you. 

 

Neglecting your countertops

Not cleaning your countertops enough, or not using the right products can head to premature corrosion, color fading, and sanitary issues you’d much rather avoid. Talk to your MaintenX team about the best products for countertop cleaning, and be sure to train employees on the right way to use these products every night. 

 

Never deep cleaning your floors

You likely mop your floors every night, but do you deep clean them on schedule to remove grease and dirt buildup? This maintenance task is tedious and can disrupt your workflow, but it will save you from having to replace kitchen flooring prematurely. It also ensures a safer and cleaner working environment, which will help tremendously when it comes time for a health inspection. 

 

Neglecting HVAC/R maintenance

Ventilation and refrigeration are some of the most important functions of your commercial kitchen. Without proper ventilation, your kitchen becomes unsafe to work in and will cause the heat and scent to leak into your dining areas. Refrigeration maintenance can also help you reduce long-term costs and provide a cleaner, safer work environment. Schedule regular preventative repairs with your MaintenX HVAC/R technician to ensure you never run into major repairs on the job. 

 

MaintenX works hard to ensure the commercial kitchens we work in can function seamlessly 24/7. To learn more about our preventative repair services, contact your local MaintenX team today. 

What To Do When The Lights Go Out At Your Facility

A power outage is one of the worst nightmares for commercial facilities. When the lights go out, you have very few choices other than to close the facility until power is restored. In the case of a citywide outage or natural disaster, this could take days or weeks. If you supply essential goods to the community, this is often not an option. 

 

Even smaller power outages can cost your business thousands of dollars in lost sales. If you find yourself in this situation, here’s what you need to do:  

 

Make sure employees are safe and accounted for. 

Most power surges or outlets are caused by natural disasters or an electrical accident, which means your employees may be in danger. Before you act, be sure that everyone at your facility is safe and accounted for. In the event of a storm, move everyone to a safe location inside that is away from windows or doors. 

 

Call your utility company and report the power outage.

If your power outage is limited to a specific region, you need to contact your utility company to ensure they can fix the problem right away. Other businesses will do the same, which ensures the power is restored as soon as possible. 

 

If you don’t have a UPS, turn on your backup generator for essential services. 

Some buildings, such as medical and nursing home facilities, rely on uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) systems to ensure life-saving services are available at all times. If you don’t have a UPS system, turn on the backup generator for essential service and to ensure safety and communications until the power is back on. 

 

Turn off and disconnect your small business’s equipment to prevent damage.

Sudden power outages can damage electronic equipment. If you want to prevent more damage when the power comes back up, unplug essential systems to ensure safety for all electrical parts. 

 

Keep doors closed on refrigeration equipment until power is restored. 

Commercial kitchens and foodservice businesses need to be attentive to the temperature of refrigeration during a power outage. If the temperature climbs too high, food is no longer considered safe. To keep your perishables safe, limit opening and closing of refrigeration and freezers.

 

Assess damages and prepare for the future. 

If your facility did not have an emergency plan for lost power, you likely had losses that day. If you want to do better in the future, talk to your MaintenX team to learn about backup power options and maintenance protocols you can use to improve your reaction time. MaintenX wants you to stay in business just as much as you do, so we are here to help you create an emergency plan for any kind of disaster. 

 

To learn more about emergency and disaster repair, talk to your local MaintenX today!

What To Do If Your HVAC System Breaks Down

In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, an HVAC breakdown is considered a critical emergency for most businesses. In the summer temperatures reach the 90s every day, and with 80% humidity, it’s nearly impossible to continue working. Even if your business is operational, your customers will not feel welcome in a place with no A/C. That is why we’ve created this emergency guide to help you in the event of an unexpected HVAC breakdown. 

 

Step 1: Call MaintenX immediately. 

If your HVAC system breaks down, the very first thing you need to do is call for help. Don’t wait several minutes or an hour for your onsite handyman to look at the problem! It’s better to call and not need service than to delay service because you think you can fix the problem quickly. The sooner you call, the sooner you’ll be back in business. 

 

Step 2: Verify your system has power and the breaker isn’t tripped. 

Once you’ve requested professional service, you can begin looking for quick fixes that may help you get the A/C back on quickly. Check the power source and breaker box to see if power has been cut for any reason. If so, you still may want a consult from an electrician or handyman, but at least you can get the A/C back up and running temporarily. 

 

Step 3: Check the thermostat

If you are certain power is not the issue, check to see if the thermostat is the problem. It may be the problem and not your unit, which can easily be remedied by a change of batteries or minor repair by your HVAC technician. 

 

Step 4: Provide fans for onsite employees. 

If the problem cannot be easily diagnosed and resolved, it’s time to take action by provisioning employees with a temporary cooling solution. This can keep everyone onsite at least for a few hours until the problem is resolved.

 

Step 5: Consult with your HVAC technician  

Once your MaintenX technician arrives, they will be able to diagnose the issue and provide either a fix or options for future repairs. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need a new unit that your MaintenX technician can help you select. Either way, we will ensure your HVAC system is up and running as soon as possible. 

MaintenX specializes in HVAC/R repair for commercial facilities across the U.S. If you have an HVAC emergency, contact us here.