Author: MaintenX

Four Maintenance Strategies That Are Essential For Retail

Maintenance for retail businesses are some of the most complex programs we run at MaintenX. With many retail outlets, the stores are open late or 24/7, which makes routine maintenance a necessity. If anything goes wrong during operating hours, thousands of dollars can be lost in an afternoon. That is why we strive to perform exceptional preventative maintenance to keep your retail business open for business.

 

If you own or manage a retail facility, you know how tricky it can be to create the ideal customer experience. We suggest prioritizing these four areas of your preventative maintenance plan to ensure you maximize facility performance:

 

Lighting

Most retail businesses have powerful fluorescent lighting that is on most, if not all of the day. This requires an incredible amount of energy which not only increases your power bill, but can increase the likelihood of electrical problems if not well maintained. By investing in regular electrical inspections and upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, among other preventative measures, you can keep the lights on for a lower price.

 

Climate Control

Your HVAC system may be the most important system within a retail facility. Customers will not enjoy the experience if it is even slightly too hot or too cold inside the building, and they will certainly not stay if there is no climate control at all. Your HVAC system is also responsible for the indoor air quality of your facility which affects facility staff health and the overall retail experience. Invest in preventative care so you never have to worry about closing early due to issues with climate control. 

 

Flooring 

A retail center with a dirty or damaged floor shows a lack of quality in the overall business and will keep customers away if the problem persists. We recommend regular deep cleaning in the after-hours, as well as preventative care such as waxing to reduce issues with scratching and other exterior damage.

 

Exterior Maintenance

Landscaping, hardscape maintenance, and roof maintenance go a long way toward presenting the right image to new customers. When you invest in the maintenance of your exterior building, you are investing in customers’ first impression of your company. Routine services including roof cleaning, landscaping, outdoor HVAC cleaning, and others will make your facility run more efficiently and present a beautiful image to the world. 

 

If you own or manage a retail facility, contact MaintenX to learn more about our preventative maintenance strategies! We are happy to create a preventative maintenance plan that will increase maintenance efficiency and keep you in business for years to come. 

Four Things You Didn’t Know About The MaintenX Team

If you’ve called MaintenX in the past, it’s likely because you had an emergency repair that needed attendance immediately. We are known for our emergency repair and preventative care services, but what makes us stand out from other contractor networks is our exceptional customer service. We build genuine relationships with our clients to provide them not just great service, but peace of mind whenever they call. It is through these relationships that we are able to achieve long-lasting savings through preventative care.

 

What goes on behind the scenes is the key to our superior reputation in facility maintenance. Here’s what you can come to expect when you work with the MaintenX team:

 

We serve over 20 states and have partnerships from coast to coast. 

MaintenX is a self-performing contractor network, which means we provide connections to top licensed technicians across each city and state. Our advanced dispatch service ensures that among our network of thousands, you’ll be matched with the closest and most experienced contractor in the area to provide your preventative care or emergency services. This network extends into every state within the continental U.S. through strategic partnerships and sub-contractor networks. When you call MaintenX, you can guarantee you’re getting the best!

 

We are there when our communities need it most. 

MaintenX specializes in emergency repairs and natural disaster relief including commercial repairs for hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and more. If your commercial facility has been damaged, we provide fast and reliable service to your location ASAP. We also volunteer in the community to provide preparation services such as sand bagging and window boarding before major hurricanes. Our technicians are by your side no matter what.

 

We offer all-inclusive maintenance services. 

Typically when you work with a commercial maintenance team, you’ll be offered a short menu of services. Sometimes you may have to find a specialist for every type of repair, from roofing to HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. But not with MaintenX! We provide total facility repair including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, refrigeration, and handyman repairs. With one call you can schedule any service — it’s that easy!

 

We offer the best customer service in the industry.

What separates us apart is our advanced work-order management system, safety procedures, and dispatch team that make your experience a breeze. From the moment you put in a work order request to the time the technicians arrive, we can tell you what to expect and facilitate a quick and seamless service. Our technicians are also trained in the highest standards of safety training (SafetyX), which ensures your work will be done effectively and without any onsite accidents. Our goal is excellence in every service — that’s why MaintenX is the place to call for all of your facility repairs! 

 

Curb to roof and coast to coast, MaintenX is the place for all of your commercial maintenance needs. Contact us today to learn more!

Roofing Repair: Expectations vs. Reality

One of MaintenX’s biggest services in the summertime is roofing repair. Next to HVAC work, this is our most requested service during this time due to the potential for hurricanes on the coast. Any wise facility manager knows that roofing repairs need to take first priority before the fist tropical storm or hurricane hits the shore. However, it’s important to know what to expect before calling your MaintenX team for help.

 

What roofing maintenance should I routinely schedule?

Roofing repairs can be very costly, which is why we recommend scheduling preventative care services. These can include gutter cleaning, routine shingle repair, and inspections for leaks or cracks in the roof that could cause structural damage down the line. If you have a rooftop HVAC system, you can easily schedule preventative care for roofing on the same day you plan for HVAC maintenance service.

 

What should I NOT expect from my MaintenX team?

Roofing repair is mostly preventative, but if issues such as molding or water damage have occurred, we strongly recommend re-roofing. Many clients believe that roofing damage is simple to repair, but this is not always the case. Once a roof has experienced major damage or deterioration in the flashing, we have limited options to preserve your safety and the building functionality. That is why preventative care is at the top of our priorities for all roofing clients. 

 

What should I know about hurricane prep for roofing?

Many clients think about roofing last when it comes to hurricane prep. While your commercial roof is stronger than windows or doors, it is still the first thing that is likely to go when trees fall. If your roofing is experiencing structural problems, you may end up with a collapsed ceiling when a strong hurricane hits. In addition to preventative care, we recommend protecting your roof from the interior and patching any holes or leaks in the summer. Talk to your MaintenX roofing team to learn more about hurricane roofing prep for 2021. 

 

Roofing maintenance can be straightforward, but only if you put the time and effort in to make it work. You can call your local MaintenX team to get started prepping your roof for summer today!

Electrical Repair: Expectations vs. Reality

Electricity is to your commercial building what oxygen is to the body. Without a system to properly deliver it, you cannot perform any necessary functions. That is why we at MaintenX consider electrical repair to be one of our most important duties within the preventative maintenance strategy. Proper electrical maintenance will ensure a safe building and help you save on energy costs long-term.

 

At MaintenX we are honored to work with so many great clients who take their facility maintenance seriously. Below are some of the most common questions we receive about our electrical services to help you know what to expect when you give us a call:

 

Will this be expensive?

This is the most common question we receive, and the answer varies depending on a number of factors. Of course, quality repairs from a reputable contractor will cost more than service from a less reputable handyman. However, what you receive is the peace of mind that you won’t have to pay for the same repairs twice. You can, however, reduce the likelihood of costly emergency repairs by performing regular routine maintenance on your electrical system.

 

Can you be here now?

MaintenX employs one of the nation’s largest subcontractor networks spanning 13 states and thousands of cities. While we do our best to provide immediate service for emergency repairs, we cannot always reach your facility immediately depending on the time of day and our current schedule. Typically our contractors can reach a job site within a few hours, so the sooner you call the sooner we can begin the dispatch and consultation process.

 

How can I protect my electrical system?

Preventative care is the best option for reducing safety hazards and unexpected downtime. We recommend routinely inspecting your electrical system to look for wearing parts or insulation that need replacing. We also recommend investing in surge protectors and a backup generator or UPS system to ensure your facility is never without power. As the hurricane season fast approaches this summer, we encourage all commercial facilities to invest in these systems to keep their facility functioning in the event of a natural emergency.

 

Knowing what to expect from your electrical team is half the battle in running an effective facility maintenance team. To learn more about your options and preventative maintenance services, contact the local MaintenX team today!

Plumbing Repair: Expectations vs. Reality

The plumbing system is one of the most important parts of any commercial facility. It provides the sanitization needed for bathrooms, kitchens, and other parts of the facility and maintains the high standard of cleanliness that commercial facilities must uphold. Because these systems are so vital to the daily operations of your business, it is necessary to keep them adequately maintained. 

 

What should I expect from my MaintenX plumbing specialists?

MaintenX specializes in preventative maintenance for plumbing systems as well as emergency repair. We typically recommend preventative services every six months to a year to check insulation, prevent leaks, clean out piping, and replace worn parts as necessary. These preventative steps can help your facility’s plumbing run more efficiently and stop pipes from bursting from wear and tear. 

 

What To NOT Expect From Your Plumbing Services

At MaintenX we strive to provide the best possible preventative care so you rarely have to worry about plumbing problems. However, even the best preventative maintenance cannot stop all emergencies from happening, and cannot extend a systems’ service life beyond its capacity. It’s important to keep in mind your systems’ incredible workload and limitations when planning for preventative care. 

 

Despite our best efforts, plumbing emergencies can and do happen and piping will have to be replaced as it begins to break down. We also have many clients who believe that measures such as plumbing insulation and hydro jet cleaning are not necessary for their system to work properly. We highly recommend these services for commercial buildings. Without them, your facility will suffer as a whole.

 

How to Keep Your Plumbing System in Tip-Top Shape

The best thing you can do to lower your plumbing costs is to invest in preventative care and cleaning services. Many clients expect their plumbing systems to run efficiently on their own, but in our experience a little bit of maintenance goes a long way. If you’d like to learn more ways you can be proactive with your plumbing, contact MaintenX today!

HVAC Repair: Expectations vs. Reality

As we gear up for the hottest months of the year, MaintenX is preparing for the busiest HVAC repair season. Typically HVAC systems get overused in the summer to beat the heat, which can cause problems if a preventative maintenance plan is not used. Many facility owners have different expectations of how their system can perform as compared to what a standard commercial HVAC unit can do. 

 

If you are having issues with your HVAC system, you may be making some assumptions that are hurting our business. Do you believe any of these common HVAC misconceptions? If so, talk to your MaintenX team for help. 

 

It’s okay for my air conditioning to run all day in the summer. 

In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, many businesses believe that an HVAC system that runs all day is something to be expected in the summertime. However, having your air conditioning run all day is not only incredibly expensive — it is a sure sign that your system is not performing well. A system that is efficient and a facility that is well insulated should be no more difficult to cool in the summer than it is to heat in the winter. Talk to your MaintenX crew if you notice the air conditioning running all day to see if improvements can be made. 

 

An expensive machine will not break down.

We always encourage clients to upgrade to the best, most energy-efficient system they can afford when their old HVAC system reaches the end of its service life. However, that does not mean you can abandon your preventative maintenance plan once it is installed. Your system still needs preventative maintenance to keep it clean, insulated, and functioning at peak performance even in the first months after installation. Doing this will maximize the service life of your system.

 

My HVAC crew can be available within hours. 

During the summertime, it may take days to receive a crew for a service request that isn’t emergent. Even some emergencies will take several hours or overnight because of the incredible volume we receive this time of year. That is just one reason why MaintenX encourages all customers to schedule their maintenance services in advance.

 

HVAC maintenance is critical to the health and performance of your commercial facility. Don’t wait to schedule your preventative services! Call MaintenX today to learn what you can do to keep your HVAC system in good working condition all summer long. 

Preventative Maintenance, Explained

At MaintenX, we specialize in preventative care for commercial facilities. This is in contrast to what many commercial maintenance companies do, which is to rely on emergency maintenance calls for the bulk of their business. While this strategy (called reactive maintenance) is effective in certain cases, there is real benefit in planning for your maintenance in advance. 

 

What is Preventative Maintenance?

Preventative maintenance is the simple process of scheduling maintenance services in advance, as opposed to scheduling them when there is a problem with the equipment. For example, instead of waiting for your plumbing to spring a leak to call your plumber, you could schedule preventative checks and insulation services to ensure your plumbing doesn’t leak in the first place. This is just one of many examples of preventative services that MaintenX offers. 

 

Just like you want to change the tires on your car before you get a flat, you want to take care of your facility equipment before it begins to break down. Recommended preventative care is typically laid out in a system’s manufacturer’s manual, and should be followed as closely as possible. However, your MaintenX technicians may also have specific recommendations for preventative care that will meet your goals and care for your facility as a whole. 

 

The Benefits of Preventative Care

You may think, “Why would I call the MaintenX team before something is wrong?” For some services, you won’t need to. If the maintenance issue is not emergent, there is no reason to prevent it. However, a serious problem with your HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or roofing systems can cause unwanted downtime and be more costly to fix than it would be to prevent. That is why we recommend preventative care for all of your major facility systems. Other benefits of preventative maintenance include: 

 

  • Extending the service life of facility equipment
  • Reduces cost and frequency of emergency repairs
  • Increases efficiency and performance nf facility equipment
  • Helps save money on energy consumption
  • Improves facility health and safety for employees

 

When To Plan Maintenance vs. When to Run-to-Fail

Reactive or “run-to-fail” maintenance is the appropriate approach in some cases. For example, you don’t need to replace working parts until they become problematic. You also don’t want to perform unnecessary preventative maintenance tasks on a brand new system, in which case run-to-fail maintenance may be the right approach for the first few months or years. However, preventative care is an important part of every facility system’s maintenance schedule. 

 

If you are interested in learning more about your preventative maintenance options, contact MaintenX today! We work coast to coast to provide exceptional commercial facility repair and maintenance services. When you want the best, call MaintenX!

The Next Generation of Sustainable Plumbing

Plumbing systems are critical to commercial facility operations. They are responsible for much of the health, safety, and sanitization of your building. At a time when sanitization standards are most stringent, it’s important for businesses to invest in the maintenance of their plumbing system as a whole. 

 

If you’ve considered upgrading your plumbing to a more sustainable model, now is the time to do so. There are plenty of cost-saving technologies on the market that can help your building reduce its environmental impact. Not only will this make your facility a cleaner place to work, but it can result in long-term cost savings. 

 

What Is Sustainable Plumbing?

Sustainable plumbing is the implementation of plumbing installations and services that can serve a building for short- and long-term goals. These goals should not only include those of the business itself but larger environmental goals for resource conservation and protection of the local environment. To create a sustainable plumbing plan, your system should be: 

 

  • Healthy: Sustainable plumbing puts an emphasis on health standards both for the tenants of the building and the local environment. 
  • Energy-efficient: A sustainable plumbing system is energy-efficient to reduce the building’s environmental impact and reduce costs. 
  • Resource-efficient: Reduction in water usage is just as important as the reduction of electrical power. Technologies such as low-flow faucets and tankless water heaters are the first steps to drastically reducing your building’s water consumption.
  • Durable: A sustainable system must also outlast a traditional system with minimal repairs. By choosing appliances, fixtures, and equipment that is built to last, you can reduce the number of replacement parts your plumbing system will need over time. 
  • Cost-effective: In order to encourage businesses to switch, a truly sustainable plumbing system will reduce costs instead of increasing them. 

 

Steps Toward a Sustainable Future

Sustainable plumbing is all about reducing the need for resources while maintaining strict health and safety standards. Some of the ways in which our clients achieve these goals include: 

 

  • Installing Energy-STAR appliances and fixtures
  • Using waterless urinals and other appliances when possible 
  • Replacing insulation to reduce leaks and energy use for hot water
  • Treat wastewater properly and recycle when possible
  • Schedule preventative maintenance services to improve the efficiency of your plumbing
  • Installing solar or tankless hot water heaters
  • Smart irrigation systems for landscaping

 

There are many other ways to make your plumbing system as a whole more sustainable. To learn more about your facility’s specific options, contact us today!

The Next Generation of Sustainable HVAC Systems

In our last blog, we talked about how your electrical system is the beating heart of your commercial facility. The HVAC system, on the other hand, is its lungs. An equally vital part of keeping the building alive, the HVAC system provides a comfortable environment and purifies the indoor air quality. Without a high-functioning HVAC, your building is in trouble. 

 

Your HVAC system is not only responsible for indoor air quality and comfortable temperatures. It could be responsible for up to 60% of your building’s energy use. Studies show that heating and air conditioning is the #1 source of energy consumption in both residential and commercial buildings. By creating a more sustainable HVAC system, you can put money back in your pocket while taking care of the planet at large. 

 

How To Make Your Current System More Sustainable

The first thing you should consider when creating a more sustainable HVAC system is how to improve the system you already have. You should focus on maximizing the service life of your current units, which you can do by upgrading the insulation of your ductwork and performing regular preventative maintenance.

 

An HVAC system that is under-insulated will have to work harder, and therefore use more energy, in order to perform its basic functions. Until your system is ready to be replaced, schedule regular preventative checks with your MaintenX HVAC team. This can reduce your energy bills instantly and prepare you for sustainable upgrades in the future. 

 

Energy-Efficient Upgrades

If your HVAC system is reaching the end of its service life, you should strongly consider an energy-efficient unit. These systems, though more expensive at the onset, will help you save thousands of dollars a year in energy savings. They also reduce your building’s overall environmental impact. Over time, these systems will outperform traditional HVAC units to create a more sustainable solution for your building. 

 

Ask your MaintenX team about different energy-efficient HVAC systems suitable for your building. They may even recommend a solar-powered HVAC system which can further decrease your energy bills and environmental impact. While not suitable for all buildings, a solar-powered commercial HVAC system may be the perfect solution for your eco-friendly building design. 

 

Are You Ready To Build Sustainably?

Sustainability in facility maintenance is a top priority for MaintenX. We believe that good service starts with proper planning. By taking into account the long-term health and performance of your HVAC system, you can create a safer and more sustainable place to work. 

 

To learn more about sustainable HVAC systems and upgrades, contact your local MaintenX team today!

The Next Generation of Sustainable Electrical Systems

Your electrical system is the heartbeat of your facility. Without the electrical system, your building would be rendered uninhabitable, let alone practical for your business functions. A highly functioning and sustainable electrical system, on the other hand, can help your building save money and run more efficiently. It is for this reason that we recommend you invest in sustainability in your electrical system design. 

 

What Are Sustainable Systems?

A sustainable electrical system requires several elements. First, it must effectively reduce energy consumption below current commercial building standards. It must do so in a way that is tenable long-term and does not require additional maintenance or costs above a traditional electrical system. Sustainable designs must also be recyclable once they become outdated for the building. 

 

With these requirements in mind, there are many ways you can retool your electrical system to become more sustainable. Many facility managers start small by replacing appliances and lighting with energy-efficient alternatives. However, this is often not enough to make a real impact on your facility long-term. You need to incorporate the whole system — from the maintenance you plan to the manufacturers you choose — into a sustainable design for the system to provide lasting benefit. 

 

Sustainability in Maintenance

Manufacturers in sustainable design often plan for serviceability in their electrical systems. If an electrical system is designed with maintenance in mind, it is likely to outperform ones that are not. It is also important to invest in electrical maintenance as part of our sustainability plan. AN electrical system that is well-maintained will last longer and require fewer replacement parts and expensive repairs than those that are not. 

 

Improving Sustainability Over Time

One of the best ways to improve your electrical systems’ efficiency is to install sensors to track their output and performance over time. An electrical system that is overworking will cost you in the long run. This also makes your maintenance plan more efficient. A reliability-centered maintenance plan that adjusts for energy usage over time can create real savings over the years. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see the benefits of a sustainable electrical system. 

 

MaintenX believes that sustainability is necessary for the next generation of commercial facilities. Without these goals in mind, business performance is guaranteed to slow and costs are guaranteed to rise. Now is the time to act and make your electrical system efficient for the future. 

 

To learn more about electrical safety and sustainability, contact your local MaintenX team today!