Category: Landscaping

Summer is the perfect time to invest in your landscaping. Not only will your summer plants need additional care as the weather heats up, but you’ll want to make a positive impression as more and more customers start visiting your storefront. However, choosing the right landscaping look for your store can be tricky. One of the most difficult decisions to make is whether to lay down rock or mulch for your outdoor landscaping. 

 

MaintenX wants our customers to always make informed decisions about their indoor and outdoor maintenance. Below we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons for both rock and mulch to help you better understand your options for this summer:

The Pros and Cons of Mulch

Mulch is a natural landscape bedding option that helps to deter weeds and uneven grass growth around flower beds or shrubbery. While it is great for nurturing plants, it can cause other issues in your landscaping project. 

 

The Pros

 

• Mulch retains moisture which can help plants stay hydrated and grow
• Mulch naturally deters weeds from growing
• As mulch breaks down, it provides nutrients for the soil to facilitate plant growth
• Mulch naturally insulates the ground to keep plants alive in winter

The Cons

 

• Mulch must be replaced annually as it breaks down
• Over-mulching can smother plants and cause issues in their growth
• Cheap mulch can come with weed seeds that ruin your plant beds

The Pros and Cons of Rock or Gravel

Rock and gravel can be used in landscaping beds for both aesthetic and practical purposes. Not only does this option look clean but it is easy to maintain. However, rock is not the best option for every commercial landscape. 

 

The Pros

 

• Though rock is more expensive upfront, it is cost-effective in the long run because it does not need to be replaced
• Rock provides protection against weeds in your plant beds
• Rock is lower maintenance than mulch

 

The Cons

 

• Rocks can sometimes affect the pH levels in the soil
• Rock can also raise soil temperatures in some cases
• Rock does not provide any nutritional benefit which means that the care of the plant bed will be more intensive than with mulch

 

MaintenX can help you make the right choice for your specific needs and lawn care maintenance plan. To learn more about our landscaping services, contact your local MaintenX today!

As we head into the summer months, most businesses are starting to think about their lawn care more seriously. Without a proper groundskeeping plan in place, before the summer begins, you may end up with a dead, weedy, or otherwise unsightly outdoor area on your commercial property. While employees can take care of some of the groundskeeping tasks, we typically recommend hiring a professional landscaping team for many reasons. 

 

One of the biggest reasons facility managers should hire a groundskeeping service is consistency. If you leave it up to your staff, the outdoor maintenance tasks will always get pushed to the back burner when something more important comes up. This is the least effective way of maintaining outdoor plants and grass that need consistent care during the summer. By hiring a groundskeeper, you can get rid of this hassle and see results quickly. 

 

A well-maintained outdoor facility will also increase curb appeal and property value. If you are looking to rent or sell a commercial property, regular lawn maintenance can help you to justifiably increase the price. A well-maintained outdoor space can also speed up the resale process by up to six weeks. Curb appeal is a big seller and will make your job much easier in the long run. 

 

Groundskeeping services can help make your facility a greener place. By planting native flowers and shrubs you can make your facility a healthier place for employees and surrounding wildlife. You may even be able to attract butterflies and other pollinators, which can keep your lawn looking lush and will boost mood and productivity for your employees. A green facility is typically a happier one. By investing in your lawn, you can invest in the sustainable future of your company. 

 

Finally, groundskeeping services will aid in customer retention. A first impression is often the most memorable one. If your facility looks well taken care of, customers will feel like they are spending their money at a place that cares about quality. If your grounds are unsightly, however, you can expect your customers to take this into account on their opinions of your business. 

 

Hiring a landscaping professional from MaintenX can help you tremendously during the busy summer season. To learn more about our outdoor maintenance services, contact your local MaintenX team today! We are more than happy to help. 

Summer is finally here, which means two important things for your facility — your A/C bill is about to go up and your landscaping is about to get out of control! With increasing temperatures and summer showers, it can be difficult to manage your facility’s landscaping schedule. Luckily, MaintenX has some tips that can get you through any summer season.

 

Tip #1 – Give your grass some extra TLC

Grass often struggles in the summer with extended periods of heat and sporadic rains. If not maintained, it will die in the summer and that can be a headache (not to mention very costly) to fix. Start your summer landscaping off right by purchasing fertilizer for your plants and installing a sprinkler system if you don’t already have one. This will help keep grass healthy in the summer and reduce the demand on your landscaping staff. 

 

Tip #2 – Start Planting Perennials

Summer is a great time to revamp your flower beds or other decorative landscaping, especially at the front entrance of your building. If you notice some of your flowers aren’t blooming like they should, take this time to plant new ones that are drought-resistant and survive the upcoming autumn. 

 

Tip #3 – Prioritize pest control

During the summer months, you may see more mosquitoes and other pests present at your facility. Some may even try to find their way indoors to escape the summer heat, which is why proper pest control is crucial during this season. Talk to your local pest control company about outdoor solutions for mosquitoes and indoor solutions for ants, roaches, mice, rats, and more. 

 

Tip #4 – Spruce up your outdoor hardscape

Many of us spend more time outside during the summer, so it’s important to keep your outdoor storefront looking presentable to customers. Schedule preventative maintenance and cleaning services for outdoor areas including your outdoor showroom, rooftop, and any area visible from the road. This will make your facility look more inviting to passers-by and create the first impression you want. 

 

Tip #5 – Communicate with your maintenance team

Summer is typically the busiest time for the MaintenX crew. We see an influx of HVAC and exterior maintenance service calls, which means our team is on a very tight schedule most days. Keep this in mind when scheduling preventative maintenance services, and be proactive in working with your maintenance team to achieve summer goals. A little bit of communication goes a long way and can help us make your life easier too. 

 

MaintenX is happy to serve commercial clients across the U.S. with HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, and general contractor services including exterior maintenance. To learn more about our landscaping and exterior maintenance services, contact our offices today!

Colorful flowers are a staple at the entrance of businesses and homes for a reason. Fresh flowers can boost your mood, offer an enticing aroma, and can attract wildlife like birds and butterflies. Their colors can also make an otherwise drab building look friendly and inviting. However, choosing the right flowers for a commercial building is not always simple. 

 

You want flowers that are bright, colorful, easy to maintain, and will attract the right kind of wildlife (while fending off the rest). MaintenX takes special care to recommend the right flowers for our clients that will lessen their landscaping burden while enhancing an outdoor showroom or entrance. Below are our top recommendations for commercial landscaping: 

 

Star jasmine

Star jasmine is a highly fragrant and easily maintained vine that you can grow at the entrance of your facility. The scent is intoxicating, and this plant is relatively heat-resistant. Your primary maintenance concern will be trimming it back so it doesn’t overrun your other plants or outdoor hardscape. However, with regular landscaping visits, star jasmine can be a great addition to your facility. 

 

Hibiscus

Hibiscus flowers are colorful, aromatic, and easy to grow in all types of climates. They are especially popular in Florida because of their ability to survive the summer heat. Hibiscus can also cover plenty of ground as they grow on shrubs.

 

Azaleas

Similar to hibiscus, azaleas make great ground cover plants as they grow in large bushes and have beautiful pink and white flowers in the spring. Azaleas are common in the southeast in residential areas, but they can easily be added to commercial facilities as well. Take advantage of these low-maintenance shrubs at the entrance or near parking lots for full effect. 

 

Pentas

Pentas are beautiful flowering shrubs that form clusters of blooms in the spring. They come in a variety of colors and are relatively low maintenance, especially in warmer climates. They are found in both residential and commercial areas and will add a pop of color to any front entrance. 

 

MaintenX wants to help you make the most of your summer landscaping. To learn more about our maintenance services and commercial landscaping tips, contact us or read more from the Resource Center. 

The summer season is fast approaching, which means that the rain isn’t far behind. In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we experience heavy bouts of rain throughout the summer, which can cause unpredictable changes to the business. It can slow down sales, cause maintenance issues, and ruin beautiful landscaping easily. And, when the hurricane season starts in June, businesses must start prepping for the worst of the stormy season. 

 

We encourage comprehensive hurricane preparation at MaintenX. A part of this preparation is ensuring proper water drainage at your facility. Without well-maintained gutters, storm drains, and nearby swales, your facility could be in big trouble. 

 

Why Is Storm Drainage Important in Facility Maintenance?

 

During the rainy season, your landscaping and exterior of the building can be negatively affected without proper drainage. Clogged gutters will weigh down and put pressure on your roofing. A blocked drain will flood the surrounding area and cause damage to your landscaping and exterior walls. Without any drainage at all, you will likely experience mold and mildew damage in both the exterior and interior of your building. 

 

How To Design Better Storm Drainage 

You can implement a variety of design elements in your landscaping to ensure proper storm drainage at your facility. You should first schedule a gutter and drain cleaning for existing drainage spots to ensure you do not have any blockages or clogs that are causing damage. Next, look for areas where water tends to pool in storms. If there are low areas in your landscaping without drains, consider adding them or creating a swale. 

 

You should also treat any man-made structures for heavy rainfall in the summer. By installing waterproof roofing to older buildings or sealing outside surfaces, you can further protect your property from water damage. MaintenX offers these exterior maintenance services for an affordable price, so you never have to worry about water damage after a storm. 

 

To learn more about our emergency maintenance services and storm protection preventative care, contact your local MaintenX team today!

MaintenX is headquartered in Florida, where lush tropical landscapes are abundant. Despite the beauty of the natural terrain in the area, many businesses have trouble keeping their man-made gardens and landscapes alive in the summer. The scorching heat can make it difficult to maintain a lush landscape, but with the help of an experienced landscaping and outdoor maintenance team, it is more than possible. 

 

Below are the top three flowers we recommend for summer landscaping. They are well-adapted to the summers of Florida and the southeast but can be planted in planters for all types of summer climates. Talk to your MaintenX team about outdoor maintenance of your landscaping using these flowers and shrubs. 

 

Hibiscus

These colorful flowers are perfect for commercial landscaping because they are bright, low-maintenance, and heat resistant. They can handle full sun and take up plenty of space, making these flowering shrubs ideal for entrances or walkways. If you regularly trim them and provide plenty of water, there is no reason you can’t have colorful hibiscus through the summer. 

 

Vinca flowers

Vincas are native to sandy grasslands, which makes them perfect for coastal properties. They can withstand periods of drought in the summer but will also survive Florida’s rainy periods. These flowers come in different shades of pink, purple, and white, which add a vibrant and cheerful appearance to your front entrance. 

 

Pentas

Pentas are commonly found in Florida residential areas because of their vibrant colors and easy maintenance. However, they can be added to commercial landscaping just as easily if you take care of these delicate flowers. They are native to Africa and can grow in Florida’s sandy soils. They are also heat-resistant and will grow all year round with proper care. Be sure to place these near the entrance of your building, because they are stunningly colorful and will immediately attract the eye. 

 

MaintenX can help you keep up with summer landscaping and maintenance. To learn more about our exterior maintenance services, contact us today!

Summer landscaping is tricky for businesses in southern states. In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we often see clients struggle to keep their landscaping alive in the brutal summer heat. However, with professional landscaping maintenance and care, even businesses in warm and dry climates can make the most of their summer landscaping. 

 

Below are some of the best tips we’ve gathered from landscaping professionals in all states. These four steps will help you transform your storefront or outdoor showroom into a place both customers and employees will enjoy: 

 

Make use of fountains and waterfalls

In Florida, we receive plenty of rainfall in the summer months. However, in dry climates, it can feel like the summer is an endless season of dry and grueling heat. If you want to make your landscaping seem more lush and inviting, consider adding hardscape elements such as fountains and waterfalls. These installations, though not cheap, can make your property much more inviting in the summertime. It will impress tenants and keep customers coming back. 

 

Add ample shading

No customer or tenant will want to spend time outside your facility if there is no escape from the summer heat. By adding a veranda at your entrance or pergolas in key areas of your outdoor showroom, you can help visitors feel more comfortable. Trees can also provide ample shading if you are willing to invest in fall maintenance. 

 

Research heat-resistant plants

Nothing looks worse than dried or dying plants outside of your business’s storefront. If you are going to plant flowers or foliage near your business, be sure to choose species that will survive the summer. Not all plants are able to withstand long periods of direct sunlight or severe rain showers in the summer. Ask your landscaper to help you choose heat-resistant and low-maintenance summer plants. 

 

Maintain healthy soil

The appearance of healthy soil will make your landscaping look more lush and alive. However, in order to maintain healthy soil, you’ll either need to take on some of the landscaping yourself or install a sprinkler system to retain the moisture needed for your plants and grass. Healthy soil will promote healthy foliage, and can even reduce exterior maintenance problems. 

 

If you are looking for exterior maintenance and landscaping services for your business, contact MaintenX today! We offer a variety of preventative care services for commercial facilities that can make this summer season the best yet for your business.

Hurricane season is fast-approaching, and MaintenX wants to help your facility prepare. Typically, we worry most about our clients’ roofing, because this is the source of the greatest damage during major storms. If the roof collapses, everything inside the facility is susceptible to tree and water damage. If the roof stands strong, however, it is likely your facility will be operational after a storm. 

 

Below are our top tips to help you prepare your roofing for hurricane season: 

 

Schedule a roofing inspection

Your MaintenX roofing specialists can help you identify potential issues with your current roofing system. If you have cracks, water damage, or areas that could be weak in a storm, your roofing maintenance team can help you replace and repair what’s needed. This will help protect your facility during hurricane season when roof damage is typically the most destructive. 

 

Clean gutters

Cleaning the debris out of your gutters will not only help keep water damage at bay but can reduce the load on the gutters to ensure they don’t break during a storm. Clogged gutters will start to grow mold which can deteriorate the structure over time. Leaves and other fallen debris can also add weight to the roof and cause the gutters to snap during a hurricane. To avoid this, be sure to clean them in the springtime. 

 

Trim overhanging trees

One of the most common causes of hurricane damage is not the wind or rain itself, but fallen trees. When the trees fall, they will take down with them anything in the path. Fallen trees can break through roofing which is why it’s important to remove any dead overhang near your facility. Dead trees and limbs are much more likely to fall than live, healthy ones. 

 

Review your insurance

Just as maintenance preparation is important for hurricane season, so is paperwork preparation. Before the next hurricane season hits you’ll want to make sure your roofing, windows, and landscaping are covered as well as the structure of the building itself. Insurance policies are finicky when it comes to hurricane damage, and you don’t want to be left in the dark. Contact your insurance provider to make sure you are fully covered before July. 

 

To learn more about hurricane preparedness for your commercial facility, contact MaintenX today! We specialize in emergency maintenance and have experience dealing with the aftermath of major hurricanes. Our MaintenX technicians are always here to help you. 

As spring approaches, the aesthetics of the season shift with it from darker, cooler colors to brighter, happier ones. At this time, many companies shift their showrooms to reflect springtime and make modifications to their outdoor showrooms. If you are considering making changes to your showroom’s landscaping, here are a few ideas for getting started and into the spirit of the season.

 

Add flowers and floral arrangements.

 

Springtime is a time for flowers and this can easily be reflected in your showroom’s landscaping. Tulips and flowerpots are common fixtures in spring landscaping because of their vibrant nature. Affixing flowers in whimsical settings such as rustic wheelbarrows, lawn ornaments, terrace towers, and other items can also enhance the flowery appeal. Gardens are also common in spring with these kinds of patterns and would be a welcome addition to any outdoor showroom.

 

Consider the colors of the season. 

 

Spring is all about bright, vibrant colors, so a fresh coat of paint may be exactly what the exterior of your showroom building needs. If it would suit the facility for later parts of the year as well, now might be a good time to repaint the area, especially while the weather is cool. If that doesn’t interest you, other enhancements can be made through colorful accessories. Flags, signs, and other fixtures can find a welcome home in springtime landscaping, so long as they are designed to fit the theme. Bringing in an outside perspective may help point you in the right direction on how you design your landscaping aesthetic.

 

Whether you know exactly what you want in your outdoor showroom or need some extra guidance, we at MaintenX are here to help. Among our many other facility maintenance services, we offer landscaping and painting services that are sure to help your outdoor showroom stand out this coming spring and for a long time to come. To learn more about the services we offer, please call us any time at (855) 751-0075.