Author: MaintenX

The Next Generation of Sustainable Roofing

MaintenX is one of Florida’s foremost facility maintenance teams focused on sustainability. In the wake of COVID-19, we have developed a newfound respect for the importance of sustainable design for our clients’ buildings. When things fall apart, you want a structure that is self-reliant. You want a building that can weather the storm for years to come, and that’s precisely what sustainable designs provide. 

 

Re-roofing is a costly and time-intensive project for your facility — you want to do it right the first time. That is why we recommend choosing a sustainable roofing option that will provide your facility with energy-saving benefits and protection from the elements for decades to come. 

 

Back to Basics

Before you opt for a new roof on your facility, it’s important to check your building’s insulation to ensure that’s not the cause of your high heating and cooling bills. Oftentimes, older buildings have improper roofing insulation that allows air to escape. If you’re not careful, this could cost you hundreds of dollars every month. 

 

According to research by the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, American homes and businesses could reduce their energy usage by 700 trillion Btu if they installed proper roofing insulation. This should be your very first step to creating a sustainable roof design. 

 

Choosing the Right Materials

After improving your insulation, it’s time to start thinking of the right materials for your new roof. Typically concrete or asphalt shingles are used for commercial buildings, but these are not the only options. Metal and wood shake roofing is considered sustainable and can be just as practical for commercial roofing as it is for residential roofs. 

 

Though the materials for metal roofing must be mined, they are considered sustainable because of their recycling capacity and longevity. Metal roofing will last several decades and is often made from mostly recycled materials. If you choose the right manufacturer, there is no reason your metal roofing can’t contribute to your building’s sustainable future.  

 

The Push For Solar

In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, state and local governments are making a big push to convert roofing to solar. This is a critical part of the transition into a sustainable future. 

By investing in solar panels, you produce some of the energy you use on your own. This can reduce your energy needs tremendously. Coupled with wind and other sustainable forms of energy, your building can come close to zero emissions in the future.

 

Roofing isn’t the only frontier in sustainable design. If you’d like to learn more about ways your building can reduce its environmental impact, contact MaintenX today!

Can Your Plumbing be More Eco-Friendly?

Environmental consciousness is a big topic in today’s industries. Not only is this value an important part of our duty to the community, but in many ways, it can help businesses reduce their long-term facility costs. The less you use, the less you spend, which is why MaintenX encourages all of our clients to work on creating eco-friendly facility systems throughout. One of the easiest ways to do this is by implementing environmentally friendly plumbing. 

 

Below are five different ways your facility can reduce water usage and improve the efficiency of your plumbing. Have questions? Contact your local MaintenX team about installation options for these green technologies. 

 

Install an energy-efficient water heater. 

Water heaters use quite a bit of energy in commercial settings, especially if the unit is older or out of date. This can not only increase your water usage, but will increase your energy bill if left alone. MaintenX offers several different installation options for tankless and energy-efficient hot water heater options for commercial facilities.

 

Insulate Your pipes

In most commercial buildings in the Northern United States, people insulate their pipes to prevent freezing. However, this practice can be brought to any facility to improve energy efficiency and reduce water loss through leaks. When you insulate your pipes, they are protected from damage caused by roots and chewing pests that often lead to your most problematic leaks. Plus, insulation will minimize the time it takes for water to heat up when using faucets, which will reduce water usage in bathrooms and facility kitchens. 

 

Install low-flow faucets and other bathroom fixtures

Low-flow toilets, sinks, and other appliances are a great way to minimize water usage in your facility. Depending on the size of the building, you could be using twice as much water as a residential building in the bathroom alone. Low-flow toilets and faucets are a simple way to cut back on water consumption without having to make major changes to your plumbing. 

 

Eco-friendly landscaping irrigation

Landscaping accounts for nearly 30% of water usage in America, and the primary culprit is commercial landscaping. While you still want to maintain a healthy and lush outdoor area, there are ways to reduce your water usage by installing efficient irrigation systems. Drip systems and eco-friendly sprinklers will optimize watering to ensure only the needed amount is used. You won’t have to worry about over-watering or wasting water with these systems in place. 

 

A leak monitoring device 

Water leaks are detrimental to these eco-friendly plumbing measures. Unfortunately, they can be hard to detect until significant water damage is caused. MaintenX recommends installing a leak monitoring system to help identify these issues and repair them as soon as possible. This will significantly reduce water waste and keep your bills under control. 

Striking the Balance of Preventative vs Reactive Maintenance

At MaintenX, we encourage all of our clients to make preventative maintenance a priority. This type of maintenance schedule helps to extend the service life of certain equipment and reduce your maintenance costs over time. However, reactive maintenance also plays an important role in the maintenance and cost-reduction of services at your facility. 

 

Preventative vs Reactive Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is loosely defined as any maintenance task that you perform to reduce the chance of a future failure. This includes equipment adjustments, cleaning, lubrication, and scheduled repairs to maintain optimal performance and efficiency for each system within your facility. 

 

Reactive maintenance, on the other hand, is the maintenance that must be performed once the piece of equipment has failed. Also called run-to-fail maintenance, this strategy reduces the short-term costs of certain maintenance procedures and eliminates unnecessary maintenance services from your backlog. 

 

Examples of The Different Maintenance Types

Preventative maintenance is important for pieces of equipment that must run at all times, like your electrical system of HVAC equipment. Some examples include cleaning out the air ducts and filters for optimal airflow and replacing worn parts as per the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent issues with performance. 

 

Reactive maintenance is used for non-essential parts and equipment that can be replaced as they fail. Lightbulbs, roof shingles, and minor parts can all be replaced or repaired as they are damaged instead of replacing them early. When done correctly, this can help cust maintenance costs and help your maintenance team run more effectively. 

 

Which Is Best for My Facility? 

Reactive and preventative maintenance should, ideally, be used in tandem to address different issues at your facility. You may not always need to implement a preventative maintenance plan for each system within your facility, especially if that system is brand new and functioning seamlessly. Your maintenance plan should take into account all maintenance strategies and the unique operations of your facility. This is the approach MaintenX uses in order to maximize your assets and create efficiency throughout your building. 

 

Call MaintenX for Help!

MaintenX can help you build a comprehensive maintenance plan that uses both reactive and preventative maintenance for your unique needs and concerns. To learn more about our preventative and emergency maintenance services, contact your local team today!

Stay Safe During the 2021 Hurricane Season

In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we face an extremely rainy season every year. As the water heats up in the Gulf of Mexico, many tropical storms and hurricanes form that can batter our coastlines and hurt our local businesses. While rare, hurricanes can tear down trees, take the roofs off of commercial facilities, and leave them flooded or completely leveled in a matter of hours. 

 

At MaintenX we strive to help businesses across the coast prepare for this season before the first hurricane reaches the shores. Below are some of the most important actions you can take to prepare your commercial space for summer hurricanes and tropical storms: 

 

Purchase window boards and sandbags in advance. 

If a hurricane is projected to hit your area, it is wise to purchase window boards and sandbags a few days in advance. These will help protect your facility from wind and flood damage, but often sell out quickly as the storm advances. 

 

Schedule maintenance services for backup generators and UPS systems.

If your facility (such as a hospital or nursing home) will remain open during the storm, be sure to schedule routine maintenance on your backup generator this time of year. An issue with your backup power could prove disastrous, so give your generator or UPS system some additional care in the summertime. 

 

Prepare for increased sales volume the days before the storm. 

As people plan to evacuate or prepare for power outages, they will likely stock up on essentials. This can lead to increased foot traffic at your store, so it is recommended to create a plan in place for moving customers and restocking quickly. 

 

Restock first aid kits. 

If your facility will have anyone onsite during the storm, be prepared with a fully stocked first aid kit. Hurricanes can lead to the breaking of glass or tree collapses on buildings, so keep bandages and splits in your first aid kit if possible. 

 

Bring unsecured outdoor equipment inside. 

Hurricane-force winds can warp metal and move cars, which means that any loose equipment is a potential hazard for your facility. Move or secure trash cans, potted plants, and any outdoor products to a safe location before evacuating. 

 

Create a communications plan for evacuation. 

If your local area releases an evacuation notice, you need to have a communications plan in place for all of your staff. It is important that you are able to update them quickly and efficiently while they are at home waiting for news. You will want to communicate your evacuation plans in advance to prepare for potential loss of cell service. 

 

Call MaintenX ASAP for storm-related repairs. 

After a hurricane, our team is typically booked for months with storm-related repairs. We try our best to get to every customer based on priority, but depending on the severity of the storm, it may take days or weeks before a team can be dispatched to your facility. We suggest calling as soon as possible to schedule your repair services. 

 

MaintenX is here no matter what for your hurricane-related emergency repairs. To learn more about hurricane preparedness for commercial facilities, contact us today. 

Four Tips for Managing Equipment Failures

On-the-job equipment failures are no joke. If your facility relies on a specific piece of equipment for daily operations, any emergency maintenance needed puts a stop to your productivity. At best, this leads to lost revenue and expensive repairs. Even worse, it could lead to a hit to your reputation and tainted customer relations that may take months to repair. While you may not be able to prevent all of these disasters, there are certain steps you can take to always be prepared for them. 

 

Below are MaintenX’s four tips for managing equipment failures on the job:

 

Prioritize staff and customer safety. 

Some equipment failures can put your tenants and staff in danger. If you are working on hazardous equipment, you should first and foremost turn off the equipment and warn staff about potential hazards when entering the workspace. This is especially important for electrical work, which can cause hazards for both staff and other pieces of facility equipment. 

 

Store repair equipment onsite. 

When a piece of equipment fails on the job, the goal is to repair it as quickly and safely as possible. Your staff may be able to handle some repairs, so keep a reserve of repair equipment to reduce downtime. You may even be able to call your MaintenX team and have them walk you through smaller repairs that can get you back up and running in no time. 

 

Set aside an ample emergency maintenance budget. 

Nothing is worse for the facility maintenance department than having to pay for services you weren’t prepared for. This typically comes out of your preventative maintenance budget, which inevitably leads to further emergency repairs down the road. Set aside a budget each year for emergency repairs so you don’t have to weigh the costs of calling your MaintenX team for help. 

 

Call your MaintenX team right away. 

The sooner you contact MaintenX, the sooner we can dispatch a team to your job site. Reducing downtime should be a top priority once you’ve ensured the safety of your staff. Even if you think you can fix the issue yourself, you should call the experts for guidance and ensure you don’t cause more problems by waiting. We are here 24/7 for your emergency maintenance issues. 

 

Equipment breakdowns are serious, but they can be managed effectively with the help of the MaintenX team. Contact us to learn more about our emergency repair services. 

Back To School Maintenance Tips For Commercial Groundskeeping

Hopefully, right now you’re enjoying a long summer break after a tumultuous COVID-19 school semester. However, just because students are home, that doesn’t mean you can completely forget about campus. Commercial groundskeeping is especially important during the summer, as you can accomplish a lot more while students are away. Below are four tasks you should schedule during the summer before class is back in session: 

 

Trim back trees

Tree overgrowth can cause major issues for your campus. The moss that grows on it will litter your landscaping, and if a tree branch were to fall, it could cause damage to your or your students’ property. Trimming trees during the summer keeps your students safe and won’t disrupt class times with the loud buzz of a chain saw. 

 

Remove weeds from plant beds

Weeding is a time-intensive part of the landscaping process. However, it gives you the opportunity to replace dying plants and replant fresh flowers for fall. By weeding and replanting during the summer, you can greet students in the fall semester with a greener campus. Summer is also a time when the grass is likely to die and sprout more weeds, so it’s important to not let the overgrowth get out of control. 

 

Repair fencing 

If you are overseeing a campus for younger children, repairing your fences is critical for safety. Kids can get hurt on fencing that is splintered or cracked. If the fencing is damaged, it may also allow unwanted animals inside the campus, such as stray pets or wildlife. It’s critical to repair any imperfections in your fencing prior to the first day of school in order to keep kids safe from the outside world and ensure they can’t get outside the campus. 

 

Repair sidewalks and walkways 

Walkways are one of the most important outdoor elements of any school campus. They help move foot traffic and help newcomers find their classrooms with ease. It is critical to maintain these walkways to ensure your students have the best campus experience possible. This may seem like only a practical issue, but it is also an aesthetic one. However, if your sidewalks have cracks and weeds growing in them, your campus will automatically look tired and unimpressive. By scheduling concrete repairs in the summer, your campus will have a fresh look that welcomes students to their new year. 

 

Campus maintenance can be tricky, which is why MaintenX is here to help. To learn more about our groundskeeping and repair services, contact us today!

Why You Need A Commercial Floor Cleaning Specialist

If you operate or manage a small facility, it’s likely that you don’t always hire a specialist for cleaning. For small offices and work spaces, many owners choose to do the cleaning in-house in order to save money. However, this is a practice that can cause a lot of trouble down the road. The cleaning you do in your house is not the same as that which is required for a commercial floor. If you’re leaving the cleaning up to a staff member, you’re likely missing most of the dirt and grime that’s stuck to your floor. 

 

Many small facilities will opt to use household cleaning products for their commercial space. They’ll use an at-home mop and broom and basic all-purpose floor cleaners that they are familiar with at home. However, most of these products are not designed for commercial flooring material. Unlike your home’s flat tile or hardwood, most commercial flooring is made with anti-slip textured surfaces and requires a different kind of cleaning method entirely to be effective. 

 

Your at-home cleaning methods won’t cut it for a textured floor that sees 50 to 100 clients or tenants a day. A commercial floor gets much dirtier faster, and only the work of a flooring specialist will do the job. If you haven’t been using a commercial floor cleaning specialist, here’s what you need to do to get back on track:

 

Corrective cleaning

Before you begin a new commercial cleaning schedule, you’ll first need to do a deep cleaning to remove dirt, grime, and film from residential cleaners. This is especially if you have carpet in your area which traps both dirt and odors over time. Your MaintenX flooring specialist can help you schedule this deep cleaning during off-hours to allow time for both wet and dry cleaning that restores your floor back to its original state. 

 

Choosing the right tools

Once you’ve completed your corrective cleaning, your facility should invest in commercial floor cleaning tools for everyday use. Replace your household mop and broom with supplies that are made for your type of flooring, and invest in commercial-grade learners that have a neutral pH and won’t leave a residue on textured flooring. This will help you and your staff keep up with effective regular maintenance. 

 

Get on a schedule

Finally, talk to your MaintenX flooring specialist about creating a regular corrective cleaning and floor maintenance schedule. Once you find a routine that works for your facility, you’ll see the cost of corrective cleanings go down and the aesthetic quality of your flooring improve. 

 

MaintenX can help you maintain your commercial flooring and improve its overall appearance and functionality. To learn more about our cleaning services, contact your local MaintenX today!

Complete Guide to Commercial Carpet Maintenance

Carpet is a tricky flooring option for commercial facilities to maintain. While it helps to reduce noise and can be comfortable for people who are on their feet all day, it is also the most time-intensive ption for cleaning. Carpet has the ability to hold onto dirt and odors, which means that a diligent schedule must be applied to reduce dirt and damage to the carpet over time. 

 

At MaintenX, we believe that even the busiest commercial facilities can use carpets if they are proactive about cleaning and maintenance. Below are four tips to make your carpet cleaning simple and manageable long-term: 

 

Location and foot traffic matter

It’s likely that your carpet will wear unevenly due to higher foot traffic in certain areas. Carpeting near entrances will become dirtier as visitors track in debris from outside. Other high-traffic areas such as doorways and waiting areas will also see uneven wear, so it’s important to give extra TLC to these areas. Make use of walk-off mats at your entrances and make high traffic areas your priority on cleaning days. 

 

The 80/20 rule of carpet cleaning

To combat the issue of uneven carpet wearing, you should apply the 80/20 rule to your carpet cleaning schedule. Spend 80% of your time on cleaning entrances and areas of high foot traffic, and leave the rest of the time to low traffic areas and hard surface flooring maintenance. This will help you maintain a uniform appearance on your carpet and extend its service life. 

 

Vacuuming the right way

Daily vacuuming can help reduce up to 80% of trapped dirt in your carpet. However, you must use the right equipment and procedures to get the most out of this janitorial service. Using a dual-motor, upright canister vacuum with a proper filter will trap the most dirt on a daily basis. Be sure to clean out the bag before it gets full to maximize efficiency.

 

Stay on a schedule

When it comes to carpet cleaning, your schedule is the most important part of proper maintenance Daily vacuuming, periodic low-moisture treatments, and annual wet extractions are all important parts of the process, with the latter two requiring professional help. If you develop a schedule with your MaintenX team and stick to it, you won’t have to pay for expensive deep cleanings as often. This is the key to making your carpet last for decades. 

 

At MaintenX, we can help you retain the beauty and softness of your carpet for years to come. Talk to your local MaintenX team to learn about cleaning and janitorial services available near you. 

Complete Guide To Hard Surface Floor Maintenance

Hard surface flooring, such as tile, hardwood, and vinyl, are the most common options for commercial facilities. These flooring surfaces have a simpler maintenance schedule than carpet and look sleek in almost all applications. However, just because hard surface flooring maintenance is easy, it doesn’t mean you can use any method you wish. Each flooring type requires specific cleaning methods and products to preserve its appearance over time. 

 

For vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is typically very durable and scratch-resistant. Therefore, you can follow a simple daily procedure of sweeping and spot cleaning as needed. During off-hours, you should schedule regular mopping or clean with an auto scrubber. However, be sure to use a neutral pH cleaner as acidic cleaners can be a bit abrasive on vinyl over time. 

 

For tile flooring

Tile flooring is typically more expensive than vinyl and therefore needs additional care. In addition to sweeping and mopping you’ll want to regularly clean the grout and refill it as needed. Grout is the first thing to go when it comes to tile flooring, so be thorough when cleaning it to prevent damage or unwanted dirt accumulation. Hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners work great for tile as they will instantly dissolve contaminants. Other neutral cleaners can be used on expensive tile such as marble. 

 

For hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring can be tricky to maintain because of its proclivity to warp. You should regularly mop with a specified wood cleaner and polish as needed. Clean up spills as soon as they happen, as any water damage can cause the wood to warp and rot. Watch out for waxy cleaners as well, because these can leave a residue that will take away the shine on your hardwood flooring over time. 

 

Protecting your floors

In addition to the proper maintenance of your flooring type, it’s important to take protective measures against dirt, grime, and scrapes. Use coasters and glides on all furnishings to prevent scratches on your floor. You should also place walk-off mats at all entrances to prevent dirt and mud from entering your facility. 

 

To take the guesswork out of commercial flooring maintenance, contact your local MaintenX team! We specialize in cleaning and janitorial services and will help you preserve and protect your hard surface flooring. Our specialists used advanced techniques and cleaning products to offer a sleek appearance that will impress. To learn more about our services, call us at 855-751-0075.

Child and Pet-Friendly Landscaping Tips For Commercial Facilities

Child care and pet care facilities require special attention when it comes to their regular maintenance and landscaping services. Unlike other commercial facilities where primarily adults are present, these facilities must take extra safety precautions to ensure that customers can feel safe leaving their loved ones in your care. Whether you’re running a daycare, a pet boarding facility, a school campus, or an after-school activity for kids, the environment you create is as important as your faculty and staff. 

 

If you are running a child care or pet care facility, we recommend following these landscaping tips to keep everyone safe: 

 

Minimize use of pesticides

Both kids and pets are put at risk when you use pesticides in your landscaping. If a pet or child eats something off the ground that has been freshly sprayed with pesticides, it can cause any number of ailments from a mild stomach ache to poisoning. Instead, we recommend using pest-deterring plants in your garden or minimizing your landscaping near buildings to reduce the need for pesticides on your property. 

 

Install fencing to protect kids and pets from the streets

Sturdy fencing is a must if your commercial facility has a play area for pets or children. This keeps them out of streets or areas of your facility where they may get injured. While chain link is the most popular option, some fencing contractors recommend wood or vinyl for pets to deter them from digging underneath. Talk to your MaintenX contractor to determine what type of fencing will work best for your facility. 

 

Provide plenty of shade

Shade in play areas is important for both children and pets. It allows them to take a break from the summer heat well before they start showing signs of exhaustion. By planting shade trees or installing pergolas strategically throughout your play area, you can make a more enjoyable space for your kids and pets. 

 

Avoid toxic plants 

Some plants are not safe for pet care facilities as they may be toxic to dogs or cats. Some of the more common species include sago palms, tulips, lilies, and azaleas. The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of potentially hazardous plants for cats and dogs you can use before beginning your summer landscaping. 

 

Your pet care or child care facility will be safer for summer if you follow these tips. To learn more about the maintenance safety for child and pet care, contact your local MaintenX team! We specialize in these types of facilities and can help you create a safer environment for everyone.