Author: MaintenX

A facility renovation is both exciting and stressful for the building owners and management. Building renovations are an investment in future profitability, but they are not easy to execute. And, in the aftermath of major construction, you’ll be tasked with cleaning up and restoring order to your newly renovated facility. 

If you are cleaning your facility after a new renovation, be sure to follow these tips for a safer, more effective job. If you are not hiring a professional cleaning company, you may be unaware of some of these steps that can lead to a better overall facility experience for your tenants and staff. Here’s what you need to remember: 

Clean air vents for dust and debris. 

During new construction, your air vents and filters will likely collect dust. This can reduce your ventilation system’s efficiency, and allow dust to circulate through the building which reduces indoor air quality. This can eventually cause health problems for the staff and tenants if you’re not vigilant. In order to prevent this issue, always replace your air filters and clean out vents before moving people back into the renovated space. 

Clean hinges, crevices, and hard-to-reach places. 

It can be easy to let some of these things go when you have a big cleanup job ahead of you. However, leaving dust or debris in door hinges or window panes can cause problems with indoor air quality and damage your building’s structure over time. Be sure to vacuum out cracks and crevices in the alls and windows, and clean any hard-to-reach spot thoroughly before moving on. 

Clean electrical fixtures with care. 

Outlets and electrical fixtures must also be cleaned thoroughly after a facility renovation. You never want to put your building at risk for electrical fires or maintenance issues, so this step is crucial to maintaining safety after a renovation. Always be sure to turn off the main switch, however, to prevent onsite injuries due to electric shock. 

Clean up before you start arranging furniture.

In most cases, it’s better to clean an office space entirely before placing furniture and appliances into the space. Furniture and appliances can be damaged by circulating dust and debris, and make it more difficult to remove dirt in hard-to-reach places. Though it may be tempting to try and restore order to the office while you clean, your employees will be much happier if they can move into a completely cleaned and renovated space. 

Ensure all maintenance tasks are complete during the cleaning process. 

Cleaning after the renovation process isn’t as effective if you don’t also take care of your preventative maintenance tasks at the same time. Before you bring people back into the space, be sure to replace your air filters, solve any plumbing or electrical issues, and ask your technician to schedule any follow-up services ASAP. This will make your newly renovated space truly efficient and beneficial for all. 

To learn more about your renovation and maintenance options, contact MaintenX today!

MaintenX is a proponent of hurricane preparedness at every level. From residential awareness to commercial education and action, we help our communities create safer places to live during hurricane season. Because we are headquartered on the Florida coast, we are all too familiar with the dangers of hurricanes, as well as the best practices for businesses in the aftermath of a major disaster. 

We work alongside businesses to create the best circumstances for hurricanes and tropical storms. One of the ways in which we achieve this goal is by providing emergency supplies such as sandbags to coastal facilities. These sandbags help reduce the damage of storm surge and can help businesses open faster after a storm.

We also provide relief after storms in the form of emergency power setup for essential businesses. After a major storm, many areas are without power or cellular data, which can be dangerous for some residents. Without access to food, pharmacies, or forms of emergency contact, some residents are at high-risk for injury. MaintenX works hard to ensure that businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential businesses are open immediately after a storm. 

We put our money to work as well. In the last hurricane disaster to hit the Florida coast, MaintenX donated and helped distribute free lunches to the cities worst affected by damage. In an interview, Bill Schaphorst, MaintenX’s VP of Business Development noted that “Allowing the local citizens to get their lives back to normal as soon as possible very much energizes our teams.”

In good times and in bad, MaintenX is there for you. We work hard to create hurricane preparedness plans and offer disaster relief services to all communities within our area. Whether you’re one of our clients or simply a part of our regional community, MaintenX has your business’s best interests in mind. 

MaintenX has over 40 years of disaster relief and emergency maintenance experience. If you’re interested in learning more about our history of hurricane relief, or our emergency services for business, contact your local team today! We are always happy to help and serve you.

Hurricane season is in full swing here in Florida. This means that the likelihood of a major storm hitting the coast is at an all-time high, putting residents and business owners on edge. However, you don’t have to worry if you have a solid hurricane preparedness plan for your facility. With some forethought and training for employees, you can survive this and every hurricane season. 

MaintenX recommends you follow these three steps for hurricane preparedness every season:

Wooden window boards and sandbags 

These physical barriers from rain, debris, and storm surge will be most effective in protecting the building’s interior. You can find affordable wooden boards to protect windows and sandbags at most home improvement stores, and MaintenX tries to supply businesses with sandbags during major storm events. These protective measures will help your building combat the worst of the rain and wind. 

Evacuation of employees and essential equipment

If a storm is predicted to reach category three or above, you should give your employees time to gather their personal items from the facility and evacuate to a safer location. Staying in an at-risk area can be incredibly dangerous. You should also try to move important inventory and equipment to a safer storage space if possible. Storage facilities that are further inland are oftentimes safer than those on the coast. 

Communicate your plan to employees before and after the storm. 

If you plan to close your facility or have employees evacuate, you should plan for communications before and after the storm. If a hurricane is serious, power outages will be likely and you may not be able to reach employees easily. Let them know in advance your plans for operations if the storm is serious, and plan for backup communications outside of phone and email if necessary. 

These three guidelines will help you better prepare for hurricane season. Always be on the lookout for storm updates and know from your local weather station whether evacuation is advised. When in doubt, plan for closures. 

If you are affected by major hurricane damage, contact your local MaintenX team. We specialize in disaster recovery and maintenance for commercial facilities across the Florida coast. No matter what, MaintenX has your back!

In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we prepare for the major hurricane season from June until November. During these summer and fall months, our coastlines are at risk for major storms, and so are our clients. To keep them safe, we work closely with facility managers to prepare for every hurricane-related situation. 

The last major storm to hit the Florida coastlines was Hurricane Michael, which battered the Panhandle coastlines in October of 2018. During the Hurricane Michael disaster aftermath, our company went to the front lines to distribute emergency power and provide restorative maintenance services to several local businesses. We did our best to get the Panhandle back on its feet, but there is so much more we can do to prevent hurricane damage from wiping out small businesses. 

If you manage or operate a commercial facility on the coast, here’s what you need to do to protect your building from hurricane damage:

• Board up windows – Securing wooden boards over your windows can help protect your facility from interior damage. Oftentimes, water damage occurs during a hurricane because windows are broken and rainwater gets inside. However, wood boards are an effective solution to preventing most damage. 
• Place sandbags around the perimeter of your facility – This tip is most important if you are within an area that could be affected by storm surge. Sandbags will keep water from intruding with relative efficiency. However, bags must be stacked relatively high in order to protect from the worst storm surges. 
• Remove important items from the facility – In the event of a roof collapse, you want the most valuable items within an office space or commercial building to be removed. This includes valuable inventory (if it can be stored at another location), personal items and electronics, or essential files. If possible, remove all that you can and store it at a secondary safe location. 
• Allow employees several days to evacuate – Most hurricanes are spotted in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico a week or two in advance of landfall. If the storm reaches above category three or above, plan on evacuation and allow your employees plenty of time to make plans accordingly. 
• Have a damage assessment plan in place for when you return – Hopefully, your building will not be affected by storm damage, but if it is, contact your MaintenX team early so they can begin the damage assessment process. After major hurricanes, damage repairs will take several months or even years for the entire community. You want to be the first on the phone so your business can be up and running as soon as possible. 

If your business is affected by the 2020 hurricane season, MaintenX has your back. We work hard to ensure your clients’ safety and facility function is a top priority. If you have questions or would like to learn more about our disaster response services, contact us here.

HVAC systems have a reputation for being noisy, especially if they are not well-maintained. Oftentimes this is an annoyance inside your facility, but some noises can indicate a true issue in your system. If you notice any of these six noises, it may be time to contact your MaintenX technician and schedule a consultation: 

Loud humming or clanking. 

Most HVAC units will make a quiet humming noise, especially if the A/C is working hard. However, if this sound becomes louder than normal or if it sounds like something is moving around inside, there is most likely an issue. Loud humming or clanking noises could indicate:

• loose parts, such as the blower motor fan, loose blades, 
• loose pipes that are rubbing together
• of loose wiring, circuit breaker overload or 
• failed condenser fan motor.

Squealing. 

This noise can mean one of two things. Squealing can be common upon startup for some units, so if you’ve heard this noise before you probably don’t need to worry. However, squealing can also be a sign of a failing fan motor, blower wheel, or ancillary fan component. This sound could mean imminent failure throughout the system if you do not address it promptly. 

Outdoor ratting. 

If your outdoor unit is making a rattling sound, it is likely that a piece of debris has been caught in the fan. While the metal grate around the exterior will protect your unit from large sticks and leaves, smaller pieces of debris can get inside and damage your fan. You may be able to shut off the unit and remove the debris, but if you see any sign of damage you should call your HVAC technician for a consultation. 

Clicking. 

Sometimes HVAC units will click when they start up, but if this noise is continual it could be a sign of an electrical problem. Some of the controls and components that control the thermostat may click when they become faulty, so if you hear this noise always consult your HVAC technician. 

Hissing. 

If you can hear a hissing noise, your ductwork is most likely leaking air. While this isn’t an emergency, it is costing you money in inefficiency. If the hissing noise is loud, contact your HVAC technician as soon as possible. If the hissing is quiet, it could also be caused by an air filter that is not properly placed. Check your filter to make sure it is fitted snugly and is not allowing air to escape from the corners. 

Screaming. 

If you hear a loud whistle or scream-like sound coming from your HVAC unit, you should turn it off immediately. This noise typically only happens if there is a refrigerant leak or if the internal pressure in your compressor is too high. Both of these are highly dangerous situations and need to be addressed immediately. It is likely that your HVAC system will shut off on its own due to sensor recognition of the problem, but if not, shut off your system and call your MaintenX repairman. We can help you fix the situation and ensure your facility is safe. 

If your HVAC system is experiencing any of these issues, MaintenX is here to help. We specialize in HVAC repair and preventative maintenance, and can help you get your HVAC unit back to running at peak performance. For more information on our services, call your local MaintenX team today!

At MaintenX, we take HVAC maintenance very seriously. It is one of the most common sore spots on our clients’ maintenance plans, and can become a great hassle if neglected for too long. We work alongside clients to help them create better HVAC care habits and avoid costly repairs. 

An inefficient HVAC system will not only increase your energy bill, but it may cost you in tenant satisfaction and staff productivity. Everybody notices an HVAC unit that isn’t performing. If the problem persists for too long, you could lose customers and have to answer to a disgruntled staff. Don’t let this problem hurt your business!

If you’re doing any of the following poor HVAC maintenance practices, it’s time to change things up. Finding a solution to these issues now will always be less costly than waiting for the problem to go away. Here are four things NOT to do when it comes to HVAC maintenance: 

You believe changing the filters on your own is adequate preventative maintenance. 

HVAC systems are complex and require professional care on an annual basis. While you should be changing filters every month, you should also be planning for a professional to come out and provide a tune-up on ductwork and each individual outdoor unit. This will help you reduce repair costs and keep your building healthy. 

You don’t contact your HVAC technician when you notice a change in the power bill. 

During the summer and winter, you may be expecting a slight increase in energy costs. However, if your energy bill becomes irregular month over month, there may be an indication that something is wrong with your system or the facility’s insulation. An especially costly month is cause for a call from your maintenance team, even if it’s just to schedule a consultation. 

You don’t call a professional when you hear strange noises coming from a unit. 

HVAC units are supposed to be relatively quiet inside. While the outdoor unit may make a low rumbling, if you hear any loud or unusual noise you should call a technician immediately. These noises are a sign of internal damage and must be addressed by a professional. The sooner you call, the more likely you are to save on repairs. 

You aren’t budgeting for preventative maintenance or future HVAC upgrades. 

A reactive maintenance budget is not enough to get the most out of your HVAC system. By budgeting for preventative maintenance services, you can extend its service life and reduce your emergency maintenance costs. It’s also important to budget for upgrades so that when your current unit reaches its end, you’re financially prepared. 

If you’re interested in learning more about HVAC preventative care, contact your local MaintenX team today!

In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we have reached the hottest time of year. From June until October our clients run their A/C units to the max, which means we often see more repair service requests this time of year. However, when we notice an unusual amount of work orders from one facility, we alert the client that it may be time for an HVAC upgrade. Upgrading your HVAC unit oftentimes saves you from the great expense of maintaining a system that can’t keep up with demand. 

Every commercial facility has different needs from their HVAC system. Small office spaces may be able to get by with a simple energy-efficient unit requiring minimal maintenance. Large facilities require much more powerful units, that if not properly maintained will cause major maintenance issues. When any client is looking to upgrade their unit, this is what we recommend: 

Research your current system. 

The HVAC system is often overlooked until something goes wrong. However, facility managers should understand the basic components of their system and their functions. This elementary understanding will help you choose a new unit based on its features and the needs of your facility. Of course, having an understanding of the HVAC system is not a replacement for the service of a trained expert. For maintenance and installation, always call your local MaintenX team. 

Look for an ENERGY STAR rating. 

Energy efficiency is paramount if you want to make the most of your new HVAC system. If you operate a large facility, the ENERGY STAR rating on your equipment will make all the difference in keeping costs and CO2 emissions down. Modern HVAC units offer a variety of energy-efficient models that can be retrofitted to your facility just as easily as a regular unit. 

Upgrade your thermostat too. 

Once you’ve chosen your energy-efficient HVAC system, you should ask your MaintenX team about thermostat options. A smart thermostat can be programmed to keep costs down by altering temperatures based on a room’s capacity or the time of day. These can be especially helpful during the summer when energy costs skyrocket in the southern United States. 

Update your maintenance plan. 

With a new piece of equipment, you’ll want to update your preventative maintenance schedule. Your new unit will not need the same level of maintenance that your old unit did, and this should be reflected in the upcoming maintenance schedule. Contact your MaintenX team to review the manufacturer’s recommendations and decide on a regular maintenance routine for your system. 

Contact MaintenX for new HVAC unit installation and continual maintenance services. We serve coast to coast and are dedicated to your facility’s success!

When we think of ultraviolet light, typically we think of sunburns and black lights. It is a powerful energy source that has the potential to harm our skin, but has proven to be useful in applications such as lamps and other forms of incandescent lighting. Ultraviolet radiation also has several uses and applications in a commercial setting. 

One such use is that of sanitization. In the same way that UV light damages your skin if you’re out in the sun for too long, it can also damage the structure of bacteria and virus cells. For this reason, many hospitals and large commercial facilities use UV lighting as a form of germicide. UV “sanitizing lights” can also be used to kill mold in your HVAC system or other areas of your facility that are considered prone to mold growth. 

Most people don’t think about UV lighting as a source of bacteria and mold prevention, but it is becoming more commonplace outside the hospital setting. These lights can be installed in a variety of HVAC units, which helps to stop the spread of bacteria and viruses throughout the ductwork. Studies show that HVAC systems often host bacteria and viruses and can be a potential source of disease (known as sick building syndrome). By using UV lights in your HVAC ductwork, you can effectively prevent this circumstance and keep your building healthy. 

These measures can directly impact your indoor air quality at a time when building maintenance and cleanliness are of the utmost importance. In addition to the installation of UV lights, there are several steps you can take to achieve a cleaner, healthier building:

• Cleaning your HVAC system from air filters to ductwork, preventing the circulation of bacteria throughout your building
• Preventative checks on plumbing to reduce the chance of dangerous line breaks and sewer line issues
• Roofing maintenance to prevent cracks and damage that lead to air leaks

Each of these steps will set your building up for success. However, if you want to learn more ways to disinfect your building and prevent bacteria or mold growth, contact your local MaintenX team. We specialize in total facilities repair and preventative maintenance. From HVAC maintenance to janitorial services and general contractor work, MaintenX is here to help you. 

Contact your local team today!

In many ways, COVID-19 has largely shaped the trajectory of 2020. Since early March, our nation has been taking drastic measures to respond to the pandemic. For the safety of the country and its citizens, many businesses have had to close their doors in favor of safe social distancing. And even then, millions have been affected. 

COVID-19 has also forever changed people’s perceptions of the public space and health standards for commercial facilities. What was once considered “business as usual” is no longer acceptable. In order for companies to address these new standards and effectively meet them, we need to think innovatively and respond. 

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, offices and commercial facilities had few OSHA guidelines for cleanliness, unless they were in the foodservice industry. However, times are changing as customers are now taking notice as to what businesses are doing when it comes to health and safety standards. Many office buildings are setting their own high standards for cleanliness, and are self-reporting to customers. This trend is likely to spread across the country as people demand more from their businesses, both large and small.  

As Florida enters its second round of closures, facilities need to take a harder look at their practices and see where they’re contributing to safety and health standards, and where they are lacking. The rise in cases across the state is largely due to unsafe social distancing inside commercial facilities, and those who have participated in unsafe practice should rethink their guidelines for the safety of their community. 

As you gear up to open at full capacity, ask yourself what you can do to prevent the spread of disease now and in the future. There may be ways in which you can more strictly enforce hand washing and social distancing at your facility. Or, perhaps there are maintenance issues you need to address, such as idle plumbing and HVAC systems that need maintenance before reopening. 

No matter how you decide to address these changes, MaintenX is here to help you. We provide comprehensive preventative maintenance services for businesses reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our HVAC, plumbing, and other maintenance services can help you maintain a safe, healthy environment for staff and tenants alike. 

Contact us today for more information!

Maintenance management is not as simple as one might first believe. While it may seem intuitive, proper management of your maintenance team can be complex. Too much focus on reactive repairs rather than planning for the future can turn your maintenance technicians into experts at putting out fires. If you want to get the most out of their skill and expertise, try following these three principles to maintenance management: 

Focus on what’s important. 

It can be easy to assume that your facility maintenance is productive when all the moving parts are moving fast. But, is your output actually representative of the resources you’re using or the speed at which your maintenance team is working? Tracking wrench time without also studying your team’s ability to prevent future breakdowns or reduce costs won’t get you very far. Instead, focus on the quality of the work and its cost, rather than speed or other superficial metrics of efficiency. 

Never encourage multitasking. 

Research has shown time and time again that multitasking not only leads to decreased productivity (and by a large margin, too), but that it will inevitably lead to mistakes. This applies to individual technician work as well as overall maintenance planning. If you schedule a repair or maintenance service, don’t ask for additional services when the technician arrives onsite. A lack of planning can result in errors and wasted resources, all of which costs you more. 

Outsource and delegate. 

Even if your facility is a well-oiled machine, there are certain things you can’t and shouldn’t handle on your own. By outsourcing to a professional maintenance team, you can better use your internal resources for what matters most. However, before you outsource maintenance to an outside technician or company, you should thoroughly vet them and ensure they can handle commercial maintenance service. 

If you’re interested in learning more about maintenance management and outsourcing, contact your local MaintenX team today! We provide total facilities repair for businesses with self-performing maintenance crews from coast to coast. If you have an HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or roofing repair service needed, call us!