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Staying Ahead of Wear and Tear: The Merits of Commercial Building Preventative Maintenance

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Adam Robinson

Reactionary measures have their place. They’re your go-to in emergencies and the unavoidable hiccups of running a building. But wouldn’t it be better to minimize those emergencies in the first place? That’s where preventative maintenance shines, particularly for a building’s exterior. It’s more than just a defensive tactic; it’s an essential strategy for consistently maintaining the aesthetics and structural integrity of your building’s exterior.

The implications of neglecting preventative maintenance can be both financially and operationally burdensome. This article will explore the essential elements of an effective exterior preventative maintenance program, underlining its numerous benefits and emphasizing the value of engaging with industry specialists.

Three Strategies to Mitigate Wear and Tear with a Commercial Preventative Maintenance Strategy

So, you’re committed to staying ahead of the game with preventative maintenance. Fantastic! What are the best strategies to pull this off? We’re talking about actionable steps that can make a tangible difference in managing your property. In the next section, we’ll dig into three key strategies to set you up for long-term success.

Regular Inspections and Early Detection

You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without a check-up, right? The same principle applies to your building. Conducting regular inspections isn’t just good sense; it’s non-negotiable for your property’s health. This involves monitoring the interior and exterior, from structural components to fall protection systems and everything in between.

Train your staff or bring in pros to look for things you might not even know could be a problem. Put it on the calendar, develop a commercial building preventative maintenance checklist, and make it a ritual. With early detection, you can knock out minor issues like leaks or cracks before they become money-sucking disasters.

Implement a Preventative Maintenance Program

Each component, no matter how small, has a purpose and contributes to your investment’s overall success and longevity. Prioritize tasks based on what keeps your property running smoothly and what items could spell catastrophe if neglected.

Don’t just patch up that wall—make sure you’re preemptively stopping leaks before they can do any real damage. This is a great time to find out why a leak occurred. Like a detective, get down to the details of why the damage occurred so you can take measures to prevent it from happening again. Most importantly, make sure you document everything. A rock-solid maintenance history isn’t just for peace of mind; it’s a financial safeguard for future budgeting and planning.

As a building professional, managing the myriad of maintenance challenges, such as washing windows hundreds of feet off the ground or addressing complex façade issues, requires a level of expertise and equipment that specialized service providers like Valcourt offer.

Collaboration with professionals ensures that all activities adhere to the highest safety standards and comply with OSHA regulations, significantly reducing the risk of liability.

Here are key advantages professionals provide, forming the cornerstone of a thriving, long-lasting property:

Safety and Compliance: Experts strictly adhere to OSHA regulations and standards, significantly reducing liability risks and ensuring a safe working environment.
Consultative Approach: Regular interactions and check-ins with professionals offer services and invaluable insights and recommendations, fostering a proactive approach to building maintenance.
Reliability and Efficiency: A skilled maintenance partner acts as a one-stop solution, offering comprehensive, customized solutions emphasizing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and, most importantly, reliability.
Building Lasting Relationships: Beyond transactional interactions, the ideal partnership is about cultivating lasting relationships that enhance the value and longevity of your property. The right partner offers solutions tailored to your property’s unique challenges, ensuring safety, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and, most importantly, reliability.

The right partnership in commercial preventative maintenance is integral to managing your property’s health, meeting timelines, and exceeding expectations. This collaborative approach goes beyond exterior maintenance; it’s about creating a sustainable, safe, and compliant environment for your property, ensuring its long-term success.

Commercial Building Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Keeping your commercial building in top shape requires regular and thorough preventative maintenance. Our checklist covers the most prominent aspects of your building’s upkeep so you can ensure it stays in peak condition.

Building Envelope

Inspect for cracks, gaps, or damage in the exterior walls, siding, or façade: Regularly check these areas to prevent water ingress and structural damage.
Check for loose or missing cladding, bricks, or stucco: This helps maintain the building’s structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Examine windows and doors for gaps or seals that need replacing: Proper sealing ensures energy efficiency and prevents moisture issues.
Inspect for cloudy glass/window staining, even after cleaning: Clear windows are essential aesthetics and energy efficiency.
Check the condition of gutters, downspouts, and drains: Ensuring these are clear and functional prevents water damage.
Examine any exposed metal surfaces for rust or corrosion: This helps maintain the durability of metal components.
Inspect facades for mold, mildew, or discoloration from dirt or pollution: Regular cleaning maintains the building’s appearance and structural integrity.
Exterior damage due to birds & bird droppings: Addressing this prevents damage and maintains cleanliness.

Grounds and Walkways

Well-maintained and safe grounds and walkways enhance the property’s curb appeal. This section focuses on the upkeep of outdoor spaces, ensuring they are safe, functional, and visually appealing.

Check for loose pavers or uneven walkway surfaces: This is important for safety and accessibility.
Check irrigation systems for leaks & ensure they are pointed away from glass: Proper irrigation maintains landscaping without damaging the building.
Ensure signage is clean and easy to read: Clear signage is essential for navigation and branding.

Safety Systems

This section emphasizes the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of safety equipment to ensure compliance with regulations and the protection of occupants.

Schedule annual rooftop anchor & safety system inspections: OSHA mandates annual inspections of anchorages conducted by a qualified person to ensure system safety and functionality.
Schedule certifications of rooftop anchors every five to ten years.
Check that emergency response systems are in working order: Ensuring emergency readiness is crucial to the occupant’s safety.
Ensure compliance with OSHA, ANSI, and local safety regulations: This helps maintain a legally compliant and safe environment.

Miscellaneous

The miscellaneous portion of the checklist includes reviewing and updating the maintenance plan for your building’s unique needs.

Review your preventative maintenance plan and make necessary updates: Keeping the plan current ensures that it addresses all potential issues.
Document maintenance activities, inspections, repairs, and warranties: This helps track the building’s maintenance history.
Create a schedule for regular maintenance tasks: A well-planned schedule ensures all aspects of maintenance are covered timely.
Train staff on safety procedures and maintenance protocols: Well-trained staff are essential for effective maintenance and safety.

Adhering to this comprehensive preventative maintenance checklist ensures your commercial building remains visually appealing, structurally sound, and safe for all occupants. It’s an investment in your property’s longevity and operational excellence.

Ensuring the Future of Your Commercial Property with Valcourt

The upkeep of your commercial property is not just about responding to problems as they arise—it’s about preventing them. The strategies highlighted throughout this article provide a roadmap for maintaining your building’s exterior, with regular inspections, a robust preventative maintenance program, and the expertise of seasoned professionals.

A reliable maintenance partner will keep you informed about your building’s health and the preventive measures they take and consistently meet timelines and exceed expectations. In essence, the ideal partnership goes beyond transactions; it’s about building a lasting relationship that elevates the longevity and value of your property.

Valcourt stands at the forefront of commercial building maintenance, offering specialized services to keep your property in prime condition. Our expertise ranges from waterproofing, window cleaning, fall protection systems, rooftop anchors, and more. Contact Valcourt today to request a quote and learn more about how our services can enhance your building’s performance and aesthetic appeal, ensuring peace of mind and long-term success.

Concrete, Masonry, Sealant: How to Approach Minor Exterior Building Repairs

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Adam Robinson

As the saying goes, “Little things can become big problems.” Small cracks or separations in concrete and masonry can quickly evolve into larger, more expensive repairs if not addressed promptly. Addressing these repairs rapidly and correctly is crucial for prolonging the building’s lifespan and ensuring safety. Minor repairs on concrete and masonry may seem straightforward. However, the type, size, and cause of the crack may call for a specific approach to fix the issue and mitigate more damage.

Three Strategies for Concrete Repair

Embarking on concrete repair requires not just identifying the issue but also selecting the most effective method to address it. Here, we will outline three proven strategies for concrete repair: Clean and Fill, Epoxy Injection, and Polyurethane Injection, detailing how and when each method can provide optimal results.

Clean and Fill

The “Clean and Fill” method is a staple for minor exterior repairs, particularly effective for small cracks and separations in concrete and masonry. When done right, this technique thoroughly cleans the damaged area to remove any loose material or debris, thus ensuring a strong adhesion for the repair materials. Utilizing low-viscosity sealants or fillers allows for deeper penetration into narrow cracks, providing a comprehensive fill that closely mimics the properties of the original surface. The choice of these materials not only facilitates a quick and straightforward application but also offers long-lasting protection against further damage, preserving the structural integrity and appearance of the exterior elements.

Epoxy Injection

Epoxy injection aims not just to fill cracks but also to create a bond that restores the concrete beyond its pre-cracked strength. Best in dry settings, the process begins with diligent cleaning and selecting the best epoxy formula. At Valcourt, our technicians meticulously apply the epoxy to ensure complete penetration and a monolithic bond. With a focus on proper curing, our service ensures the epoxy repair is as enduring as it is efficient, providing a cost-effective alternative to significant structural replacement.

Polyurethane injection

Polyurethane injection stands as a versatile solution in the realm of minor exterior repairs, particularly noted for its efficacy in sealing wet and leaking cracks. This method involves injecting reactive polyurethane resins that expand upon contact, offering a robust seal even in the presence of moisture. The resin’s expansive nature means it can fill voids, conforming to the irregularities within a crack, and does not necessitate water to activate. Its non-shrinking, closed-cell foam composition ensures that once it sets, it maintains a flexible yet water-tight barrier that adapts to the natural movements of the building materials, providing a durable fix to prevent water ingress and the resultant damage.

Avoiding Cracks Through Effective Maintenance and Mitigation

The nature and composition of concrete and masonry make them susceptible to cracking. By focusing on three critical areas—regular inspections and maintenance plans, effective mitigation strategies, and partnering with a skilled building service provider—we can illustrate how to intercept problems before they escalate into significant concerns.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance Plans

Instituting a schedule of regular inspections and adhering to a detailed maintenance plan is foundational to the longevity of any building. Routine checks can reveal early signs of wear and tear, allowing for timely interventions that prevent minor issues from becoming major structural problems. A maintenance plan acts as a roadmap, providing clear instructions and schedules for upkeep, which can extend the life of the building’s exterior elements and reduce the likelihood of unexpected repair needs.

Effective Mitigation Strategies

Understanding and implementing effective mitigation strategies is critical to safeguard against potential damage. This involves identifying at-risk areas and applying measures such as waterproofing, using protective coatings, and ensuring proper drainage around the structure. These strategies reduce the exposure of concrete and masonry to harsh environmental conditions, thereby mitigating the risk of damage.

Partner with a Building Service Provider

A crucial component in maintaining the exterior of a building is the partnership with a reliable building service provider. A provider with a track record of excellence brings expertise, precision, and the latest technologies to your maintenance efforts. They ensure the highest standards of maintenance and repair work by offering tailored solutions that fit the specific needs of your building.

Securing Structural Longevity Through Expert Repairs and Proactive Maintenance

Clean and fill, epoxy injection, and polyurethane injection are vital in repairing and reinforcing your buildings. When you pair these methods with preventative maintenance and mitigation strategies and partner with the right building service provider like Valcourt, these approaches form a robust defense against the natural wear and tear inflicted upon concrete and masonry over time.

Valcourt’s services go beyond mere repairs, encompassing a comprehensive suite of maintenance and inspection options designed to maintain your building’s integrity. Our experts specialize in a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Customized maintenance plans based on the building’s specific needs.
Application of protective coatings and waterproofing solutions.
Advanced repair techniques utilizing the latest industry standards and materials.

Proactively protect your investment with Valcourt’s expert services. From precision repairs to preventative maintenance, we have the expertise to ensure your building stands firm against the test of time. Contact Valcourt today for a comprehensive assessment and quote, and partner with us to safeguard your property’s future.

Caulking & Sealing Commercial Buildings: Why It’s Important to Use Expert Services

Posted on January 4, 2023 by a1_admin

Your commercial building is an essential component of your success, and it is your command center, public face, and a sense of pride for your employees. Protecting your building is of the utmost importance, which is why commercial building service professionals are crucial for maintaining such a significant investment.

Expert caulking and sealing protect your asset by sealing off gaps and cracks that might result in air, moisture, and pests penetrating your commercial building.

Why Use Caulking/Sealing?

Every building is susceptible to gaps and cracks forming between different materials. When moisture penetrates your facility, it further deteriorates and compromises the structure, opening the door to even more severe problems. Air entering your building causes uncomfortable drafts that make energy bills much higher.

Caulking the exterior of your commercial building remedies the normal wear and tear that comes with seasonal contraction and expansion. As old caulk loses its elasticity, it is necessary to replace it to maintain the protective shield that is your building’s exterior.

As exterior caulking reinforces your building’s protective shield, interior commercial caulking prevents drafts and water damage on the inside. Many areas of your building’s interior need a regular caulk refresh, including the following:

Plumbing fixtures
Expansion joints
Control joints
Baseboard and trim
Tubs and showers
Countertops
Vents and pipes
Areas where different materials meet (gas and electrical entrances, air conditioners)

Sealing includes weatherproofing concerns that go beyond caulking. Just as building expansion and contraction impact joints and materials, so are surfaces like windows. Reglazing window systems with commercial window sealant and addressing skylights and curtain walls prevent air, moisture, and pests from entering the building at those crucial points.

Complete waterproofing goes beyond just caulking windows, and services will include:

Traffic coatings
Expansion joints
Sealants
Epoxy sealants
Repellants
Wall coatings
Membranes
Deck coatings
Chemical grouting
Glass caulking
Wall caulking
Commercial window caulking exterior

It sounds like a lot but bringing in commercial building caulking pros will ensure every external and internal gap gets sealed.

What are the Different Types of Caulking and Sealing?

The variety of building areas and surface types that require commercial caulking and sealing services makes it necessary to ensure you use the proper caulk and sealant. Building services professionals will evaluate the different types of caulk and apply the appropriate one depending on the application.

Silicone and polyurethane calking products are classified as elastomeric materials, as both fill gaps and allow for contraction and expansion. Despite being similar in their classification and general uses, these materials have significant differences, impacting their suitability for different applications.

The most significant consideration is how the materials will break down as time passes. The two primary concerns of performance and life-cycle costs are applied to determine the benefits of silicone versus polyurethane-based sealants.

Silicone

Silicone is an inorganic material, giving it an advantage in areas exposed to UV light from the sun. Because it is inorganic, it is less reactive to UV light. The lower UV reactivity of silicone makes it the superior choice for your commercial building’s facade.

Silicone also offers a much longer lifespan due to its excellent resistance to UV light and temperature fluctuations. Many manufacturers provide 20-year warranties, making silicone caulk vs. sealant the perfect choice when durability matters.

An extended lifespan and lower reactivity to UV light and temperature fluctuations mean a significantly higher price for silicone sealants over polyurethane. Your commercial building services company will weigh the trade-offs of cost and expected sealant lifespan when determining which sealant is appropriate for each application.

Polyurethane

As an organic material, the sun, elements, and temperature break down polyurethane much faster than silicone. Typically, polyurethane’s lifespan will max out at ten years, reflecting this shorter lifespan in its much lower price.

When weighing silicone vs. polyurethane caulk, silicone will always be the best investment for areas exposed to the elements or subject to more variation and use.

Are Your Current Sealants Still Effective? When To Replace

Depending on your sealants’ location, type, and application, they can break down at differing rates. If polyurethane was used extensively in the past, it could break down and crack over a significantly shorter period.

It could be time to replace sealants if it has been some time since you last had them inspected. One way to confirm the need for a replacement is if you see a loss of elasticity and separation from the surfaces. Other indicators would be visible cracks or splitting.

Exterior sealant might show visible evidence of weathering, including chalking, blistering, discoloration, or cracking.

Of course, the best estimate of sealant effectiveness will come from calling commercial building professionals for a comprehensive inspection.

Working With an Expert for Commercial Wall Coating

Your company’s commercial building is essential to the organization’s identity. Maintaining one of your most important assets is a crucial task that requires expert attention.

Every wall is different based on the construction approach, the material used, and exposure to the elements. An established and expert building services provider knows how to identify issues that could become more extensive problems and remedy them.

Proper caulking and sealant application ensure the building continues to serve its essential purpose best. Turn to experts to ensure your commercial building is in its best shape and focus on what you do best, running your business.

Valcourt Ensures Expert Protection for Your Building

Valcourt is the building services provider for property managers and building owners. We have 35+ years of experience providing industry-leading waterproofing, window cleaning, and facade restoration services.

Caulking and sealing are essential components of building maintenance. Contact us at A1Orange today to ensure your building keeps water, air, and pests where they should be; outside.