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Shielding Building Owner Liability with Comprehensive Insurance & Safety Measures

When a building service provider carries comprehensive liability insurance without risky policy exclusions that are so prevalent in the industry, it alleviates concerns about potential financial liabilities arising from accidents, damages, or other incidents. But insurance is just one part of the equation. What truly sets a provider apart is a deep-rooted commitment to safety.

At Awnclean, safety isn’t just a priority — it’s our core mission. Our extensive knowledge and dedication to building safety and compliance, backed by our ultra-comprehensive liability insurance, offer you unparalleled value and peace of mind. Read on to discover how this powerful combination makes us stand out from the competition.

Minimizing Worry and Stress for Building Management

Maximizing the value of your commercial properties requires a proactive approach to mitigating risks. It’s not just about avoiding accidents; it’s about ensuring the smooth operation of a property, maintaining profitability, and safeguarding against potential litigation. Who you choose as your building service provider for services like window cleaning or facade repair can influence your risk exposure.

Comprehensive Liability Insurance and Common Exclusions

As a building manager or owner, you already require a comprehensive general liability policy from your building service providers. However, that’s not the whole picture. It goes without saying that general liability insurance is crucial as a safety net that covers risks that might occur while performing building maintenance or repair work on your property. You may be absolutely convinced that your building service provider is fully covered by general liability insurance if, for example, a worker accidentally damages a tenant’s property or, worse, if a passerby gets injured due to a service-related mishap. But are you really sure?

You may have even examined the service provider’s Certificate of Insurance (COI) (or even had an insurance professional do so), and that review may have fully satisfied you that a service provider has full coverage with a top-notch insurance company and with minimum limits that meet or exceed your standards. It turns out, though, that the COI only tells a small part of the story, and you might actually be in dangerous territory.

That’s because it’s very common for service providers to cut corners and reduce premiums by accepting very risky exclusions in their insurance policies that could lead to no coverage just when it’s needed the most. Unfortunately, this situation is becoming more and more prevalent in the building services industry. The scariest part is that you will have no way of knowing if such exclusions exist in a service provider’s insurance company unless you review the full policy. The COI does not mention these exclusions, so it’s not enough to simply review the certificates.

For example, one of these increasingly common exclusions is the residential exclusion. This excludes coverage for residential construction projects such as condominiums or apartment buildings. Another example is the exclusion of coverage in certain states and for certain types of operations. Are you sure that a service provider is covered for the applicable type of operation in your state? There are many other examples as well.

Inadequate coverage, because of these and other common exclusions, could lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses and potential legal battles for you as the property owner. That’s why it’s imperative that the vendors you work with meet all insurance requirements and have taken care that these dangerous exclusions are not in its general liability policy. 

At Awnclean, we are proud that we have focused strongly on the dangers of these exclusions, and our general liability policy does not contain the exclusions mentioned above. Before any work begins, you already ask your contractor for a COI, but you should also ask for the policy forms list, or even the full policy, for any sign of exclusions that could impact coverage.

In sum, working with a vendor who not only meets insurance requirements but also cares enough to ensure policy exclusions won’t leave you high and dry when it counts removes many of the financial uncertainties and worries concerning the project. 

Robust Safety Measures

Building owners are responsible for ensuring their workplace is free of known fall hazards, providing, maintaining, and inspecting appropriate fall protection systems, and ensuring employees who work on premises receive proper training. At a minimum, employees should:

  • Understand their role, the dangers of falling, and how to reduce hazards.
  • Receive training from a competent person.
  • Understand how to use fall protection systems, how to inspect and maintain them, and the system’s limitations.
  • Know how to use and operate arrest systems, guardrails, controlled access zones, etc.

Safety isn’t just about ticking boxes and meeting the minimum requirements; it’s about creating a culture where preventing incidents is paramount. Robust safety measures encompass everything from thorough employee training to eliminating hazards and strict adherence to OSHA regulations and beyond. With these measures in place, insurance fulfills its proper role as a safety net, stepping in only when all other precautions fail.

Working at heights is dangerous and continues to account for a significant amount of workplace injuries and fatalities. After decades of work and several fatalities, Minnesota, according to the Star Tribune, will require “window washers working higher than 24 feet without a ladder, unionized or not, will have to earn a certificate after training in equipment safety, first aid and crisis management.” These measures and other awareness efforts are in response to decades of preventable and tragic injuries.

How Building Service Providers Integrate Safety and Insurance for Optimal Protection

Our sister company, Valcourt Safety Systems, designs, installs, and supports fall protection systems, which places us in the unique position of fall protection expert and service provider. Our turnkey solutions ensure your building’s fall protection systems meet your needs, are OSHA compliant, and are properly maintained.

Proactively Improve Safety to Reduce the Risk of Incidents

To a well-trained eye, safety hazards are glaringly obvious, while others may overlook or underestimate the risks. We train our teams to identify and eliminate hazards during the initial job safety analysis and work plan. Our teams deliver value for you by reporting potential safety hazards even if they aren’t within the scope of work. Early intervention allows you to address safety hazards to prevent incidents proactively.

Enjoy the Benefits of Building Safety Compliance

The primary benefit of building safety compliance is preserving and protecting human life. OSHA hands out thousands of citations each year, most of which are fall protection or height-related. National Safety Council (NSC) President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin states, “Although incredible advancements are made in safety each year, we continue to see many of the same types of violations appear on OSHA’s Top 10 list.” The cost of violations rose again this year and can exceed $160,000 per violation.

Protect Yourself from Financial Catastrophes

When you employ vendors without proper insurance, you essentially assume the role of their insurer and take on the risks for their actions. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates the financial impact of workplace falls at $70 billion each year just for worker’s compensation and medical expenses. Add litigation, disruption to your operations, and perhaps a tarnished reputation, and you will see why using a building service provider with inadequate insurance isn’t worth the risk.

Trust Awnclean’s Safety Expertise and Comprehensive Coverage

As a building owner, you have a lot at stake. It’s not just about protecting your investment; it’s about creating and maintaining a safe environment for occupants, workers, and visitors. When you choose a vendor who lacks safety training or awareness or fails to protect themselves and others with insurance, the risk transfers to you.

Our teams traverse thousands of building facades and rooftops each year. We are committed to keeping them and their families safe. That’s why we place a premium on safety and insurance coverage to protect our workers and your investment. Contact us today and take the worry out of building maintenance with our robust safety systems and comprehensive coverage.

 


Seasonal Maintenance Planning: How to Budget for Year-Round Building Care

Ensuring your building remains in top condition throughout the year requires a strategic approach to maintenance. Seasonal maintenance helps you prepare your property for the next season while removing remnants of the previous season. This article will help you plan and budget for effective seasonal maintenance, ensuring your property remains safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing all year round.

Getting the Most out of Seasonal Maintenance

Seasons bring both challenges and opportunities. For example, it’s advantageous for a university or school to do all significant projects during the summer while most students are off campus. Planning for seasonal maintenance helps to avoid operational disruptions for occupants and workers. Budgeting for seasonal maintenance ensures your building’s safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. With the right strategy, you can successfully address the needs of each season to keep your property in prime condition and avoid the pitfalls of deferred maintenance.

Spring Maintenance Tasks

Spring is critical for building maintenance as it addresses winter damage and prepares the building for summer heat. It’s also one of the most active seasons for property maintenance activities, such as performing inspections and building assessments. For this reason, property managers should begin planning in early winter to secure services and negotiate contracts. 

Key Focus Areas for Spring Maintenance 

  • Implement a spring cleaning regimen to enhance the building’s appearance.
  • Pressure wash walkways to wash away salt or residue from winter or heavy pollen buildup. 
  • Ensure the building envelope is ready to stand up to spring and summer showers.
  • Evaluate property to ensure safety and compliance. 

Budgeting Tips for Spring 

  • Allocate funds based on need from the building condition report to help address issues while they are small and manageable. 
  • Plan for 2-4 window washing sessions throughout the year to maintain a clean and professional appearance.

Summer Maintenance Tasks

Summer is the peak season for building restoration, maintenance projects, and hurricanes. In most cases, the weather cooperates, but resources are in high demand. While it’s an ideal time for schools that are out of session, it’s in the best interest of vacation properties and stadiums to schedule around this busy season to avoid impacting customers.

Key Focus Areas for Summer Maintenance

  • Protect your building from moisture damage by applying sealants and protective coatings. 
  • Remove stains and inspect window seals to ensure aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency. 
  • Clean, seal, and repair parking garage surfaces.
  • Clean and inspect property and building facade.

Budgeting Tips for Summer

  • Schedule exterior facade cleaning to remove any pollen or pest remnants from the spring.
  • Plan for next year’s property budget, typically due at the end of August.
  • Identify and plan for anticipated non-routine maintenance needs. 

Fall Maintenance Tasks

Autumn is your chance to take advantage of the few remaining months of nice weather to prepare your building for the winter. It’s also an ideal time to review your maintenance budget to ensure it’s spent and spent wisely. 

Key Focus Areas for Fall

  • Clearing leaves from sidewalks quickly reduces the chances of staining, mold and mildew buildup, and slip hazards. 
  • Repair cracking and spalling concrete before winter to avoid water penetration, expansion, and further damage. 
  • Conduct fall protection inspections to mitigate fall hazards and ensure compliance and safety.

Budgeting Tips for Fall

  • Schedule a rooftop assessment to evaluate your compliance status and assist with budgeting.
  • Include costs for sealant replacement to prevent water infiltration during winter.
  • If you don’t use your end-year budget, you may lose it. Identify small projects to improve your property and use the remaining budget dollars or risk seeing it cut the following year. 

Winter Maintenance Tasks

Winter is a great time for interior maintenance and evaluating your budget to plan for next year. As the holidays approach, you can prep your property for events and decorations with additional window cleaning. 

Key Focus Areas for Winter

  • Interior maintenance such as high-dusting and handrail repair and replacement.
  • Last chance to allocate your remaining budget dollars 
  • Snow and ice removal
  • Decorating for holidays

Budgeting Tips for Winter Maintenance

  • Assess budget performance, OSHA compliance, and building maintenance, repair, and cleaning needs. 
  • Secure service contracts for the following year to stay on your maintenance schedule. 

Year-round Maintenance Services from Awnclean

Tending to your building’s needs requires a vigilant approach to year-round preventative maintenance. At Awnclean, our teams provide a wide array of building services to help you stay ahead of avoidable and often costly repair projects. 

Here are some of our seasonal maintenance services and tools, along with the best time to carry them out: 

Annually:

Year Round:

Spring and Summer:

Spring, Summer, & Fall:

Proper planning and execution of seasonal maintenance ensures you spend your budget effectively. This approach helps address problems while they are small and manageable, prevents liability issues, and upholds your property’s value. 

Partnering with Awnclean for Expert Seasonal Maintenance Planning & Solutions

Cleaning up what the last season left behind and preparing for what the next season may bring delivers the most cost-effective and proactive approach to protecting your investment. 

Awnclean’s wide array of building services helps you take advantage of what each season offers and provides you with the best opportunity for year-round property care. Contact us today so we can partner with you to deliver you peace of mind and safety while maximizing your annual building and property budget. 

 


The Hidden Costs of Deferred Maintenance: Why It’s Essential to Budget for Annual Upkeep

As a property manager or building owner, it’s tempting to prioritize immediate cost savings by deferring maintenance, but that’s a gamble that rarely pays off. Deferred maintenance often leads to costlier problems down the line, draining finances through expensive restoration projects while compromising safety and efficiency. 

This article highlights the hidden costs of deferring maintenance and how preventative maintenance helps avoid significant repair costs to ensure smooth operations and maximize property value.

Saving Pennies Now Can Cost Dollars Later

Currently, commercial property owners feel the pinch of rising energy costs, which have jumped nearly 30% since 2020. Sticking to budgets and managing expenses with these financial pressures isn’t easy. However, cutting corners by deferring maintenance will eventually come back to bite you. For example, imagine skipping a roof inspection and missing a small water leak. If you don’t catch it early, that leak could turn into extensive water damage, forcing a complete roof replacement and throwing your building’s operations into chaos. 

Consider the General Services Administration (GSA) a cautionary tale. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), in 2022, the GSA faces a staggering $3.1 billion backlog in deferred maintenance and repairs, including persistent issues like water leaks and outdated safety systems. While explaining the challenge during a House hearing, the GSA stated it is “suffering from the consequences of significant deferred maintenance, driven by inadequate investment.” 

In a similar story, the Kansas State University board found it cheaper to demolish buildings than tackle years of neglect by deferring maintenance. Meanwhile, the state of Louisiana faces a $2 billion backlog of deferred maintenance projects, which causes compliance issues, leaky buildings, and “a lengthy list of crumbling infrastructure on state college and university campuses.” When you defer maintenance, the problem doesn’t go away; it compounds financially and restoratively. 

Weighing the Risk and Reward of Deferred Maintenance

Whether “a stitch in time saves nine” or “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” there are countless words of wisdom advising against deferring maintenance. Despite these best practices, ballooning deferred maintenance costs are all too typical, and the results are equally predictable. 

  • Deferring Maintenance Increases Repair Costs: Minor repairs neglected over time can escalate into major repairs, demanding extensive work and resources. For example, on a recent project, we discovered that the property manager had put off minor repairs and routine maintenance. The expense ballooned three short years later, costing the property three times what preventative maintenance had called for. 
  • Decreased Property Value: Neglecting maintenance can significantly reduce property value. For instance, failing to stay on top of facade maintenance in a challenging market can negatively impact occupancy rate and rent. 
  • Higher Energy Bills: Poorly maintained properties and building envelopes quickly become less efficient, compounding the impact of increasing energy costs. For instance, pressure washing white roofs helps maintain cooling efficiency. 
  • Minimizing Disruptions: Preventive maintenance, such as window cleaning, requires minimal to no disruption to tenants. When you neglect window cleaning for an extended period, deep cleaning, glass restoration, or complete replacement may be the only option to return them to their original condition. Not to mention missing out on opportunities to identify issues while they are small, like damaged mullions or damaged sealants. 
  • Health and Safety Risks: As a building owner, you are responsible for keeping tenants and those who work on your property safe. Preventative maintenance is critical in maintaining air quality and negating slip hazards and other safety issues. Maintaining fall-protection systems is among OSHA’s most frequently cited standards, requiring routine inspections and certifications. Failure to comply puts workers at risk and comes with steep penalties and other liabilities. 

The deferred maintenance trap puts tenants, workers, and your investment at risk. The key to building longevity is preventative maintenance. It puts you and your building in the best position to prevent the avoidable and tackle the unavoidable early on while keeping the cost low and manageable. 

Smart Budgeting for Year-Round Maintenance

A well-structured budget that allows for annual upkeep and maintenance of your property is your best ally to avoid the deferred maintenance trap. Over time, this strategy will save money by proactively addressing issues while they are small, extending the life of components and systems, ensuring safety, and avoiding fines. The long-term implications of deferring maintenance aren’t worth the risk of an unmanageable backlog.

Here are some key tips to remember for your annual maintenance plan. 

  • Windows & Glass: Clean exterior windows and glass 2-4 times each year. 
  • Building Facade: Pressure wash your building’s facade every 3-5 years and add a sealant for protection. 
  • Inspecting Waterproofing Membranes: Routine inspections and reapplying per the manufacturer’s recommendations ensure your waterproofing investment pays off. Our Waterproofing & Building Facade Preventative Maintenance Guide highlights how a proactive approach to waterproofing helps avoid repair costs and provides long-term protection for your asset. 

These are just a few of your property’s many needs. You can make the most of your annual building maintenance budget by staying ahead of potential issues to keep your property value up while keeping costs down. 

Partnering with Awnclean for Expert Maintenance Solutions

Don’t sacrifice tomorrow for a quick win today. Sticking to a preventative maintenance plan tailored to your building and property needs pays off in the long run. At Awnclean, we can help you with budget planning to avoid costly repairs. While it’s easy to underestimate the implications of deferred maintenance, we’ve seen the costs accumulate and accelerate over time, leaving decision-makers wishing they had acted sooner. 

We encourage you to contact us today to establish a preventative maintenance program uniquely designed to drive value, improve safety, and maximize your budget dollars for years to come. 

 


Proactive Maintenance: How to Plan Your Annual Building Maintenance Budget

Whether it’s unexpected repairs or a backlog of deferred maintenance quickly escalating to costly problems, forces are at work that will derail your annual building maintenance budget. One of the most effective strategies against these forces is budgeting for preventative maintenance.

Preventative maintenance addresses your building needs while they are small and manageable. This puts you in control of your budget dollars to effectively minimize disruptions and ensure compliance with safety regulations, all of which aid in budget adherence. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to creating an annual maintenance budget. It provides practical tips for prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals, helping you stay within budget, save money, and ensure the safety and value of your properties.

Leverage Proactive Maintenance to Stay in Budget

Proper building maintenance is not just about fixing problems as they arise—it’s about preventing them before they start. When you plan accordingly and budget appropriately for your building’s needs, you are in the driver’s seat to get the most value out of your budget dollars.

Reducing Long-term Costs

With increasing costs, unlocking hidden value within your building maintenance budget is more imperative than ever. Proactive maintenance is a proven strategy that helps you preserve and protect your building to prevent costly repairs. For instance, performing window cleaning 2-4 times per year is a relatively small cost compared to other building maintenance services.

However, deferring window washing can lead to mineral deposits or grime etching into the glass. Additionally, accumulated dirt can damage window seals and frames, leading to leaks and potential structural issues. Factoring routine window washing into your budget is critical to prevent capital expense projects such as costly glass restoration or replacement services.

Improving Building Efficiency

To maximize building efficiency, implement proactive measures, such as inspecting and periodically replacing sealants at signs of deterioration or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. When sealants begin to fail, they lose their efficacy, thus putting a greater strain on heating and cooling systems.

Effective waterproofing and exterior maintenance prevent water infiltration, which can lead to structural damage and energy loss. Addressing these aspects makes it easier to maintain a comfortable and efficient environment, reducing overall operational costs and enhancing the longevity of the building. An efficient building saves energy costs, freeing up resources that can be allocated to other essential maintenance tasks or improvements.

Ensuring Building Safety and OSHA Compliance

When you fail to take a proactive approach to building safety, you increase your risk of injuries, fines, or worse. Failure to provide adequate fall protection and other height-related citations dominate OSHA’s top ten most frequently cited items for building owners. The citations are far from a slap on the wrist, reaching tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Many safety systems require periodic inspections and certifications to ensure they function correctly and meet evolving regulations. Delaying safety-related maintenance requirements is not worth it. If you delay beyond manufacturer or OSHA requirements, you knowingly expose yourself and others to risk, which could constitute willful negligence. Proactive maintenance ensures compliance with these regulations, reducing liability risks and potential fines.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Annual Maintenance Budget

Creating a solid maintenance budget involves more than just crunching numbers. It requires identifying areas needing attention and their costs and then using this information to prioritize tasks. This builds a solid foundation to establish a regular maintenance schedule to prevent issues from escalating. Let’s explore each step to creating an annual maintenance budget in detail.

Assessment and Inventory of Your Building’s Needs

Kicking off your annual maintenance budget starts by taking a good, hard look at your building’s current state. It’s like giving it a health check-up! This process involves examining all building components and systems to identify existing issues or potential problem areas.

Create a comprehensive inventory list that includes all elements that require maintenance, such as the roof, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and exterior facades. Additionally, note any items due for replacement, such as sealants, waterproofing membranes, windows, and other materials with a limited lifespan.

Prioritize Value-Added Building Maintenance Tasks

Once the inventory is complete, categorize maintenance tasks by urgency and importance. Focus on critical areas that impact safety and functionality. Address immediate safety concerns first, followed by tasks that could prevent significant damage or costly repairs in the future.

Estimate Costs and Obtain Quotes

Research the materials, labor, and service costs required for each maintenance task. It is essential to include potential emergency repairs and contingency funds in the budget. This ensures you are prepared for unexpected issues that may arise throughout the year. Consider obtaining quotes from multiple service providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. You can contact Awnclean here to get the process started.

Create a Maintenance Schedule

Develop a maintenance schedule that outlines regular inspections and preventative maintenance activities. This schedule should include timelines for recurring tasks, such as inspections to certify safety systems, and one-time tasks, such as roof replacement. A well-structured schedule helps ensure that maintenance tasks are completed on time and prevents the oversight of critical activities.

Allocate Resources

Determine the budget allocation for each maintenance task based on its priority and estimated cost. Ensure sufficient funds are allocated for high-priority items that impact safety and functionality. This allocation should be flexible enough to accommodate any adjustments throughout the year.

Review and Adjust

Review the maintenance budget regularly and adjust it based on actual expenses and feedback from past maintenance activities. This ongoing review process helps identify any discrepancies between estimated and actual costs and allows for timely budget adjustments.

Weather conditions, for instance, can affect budget allocation—less snow than forecasted means an opportunity to reallocate funds to other maintenance needs. Incorporating feedback from maintenance staff and service providers can also improve the accuracy and efficiency of future budgets.

By following these steps, building managers can create a robust maintenance budget that addresses both immediate and long-term needs.

Tips for Prioritizing Maintenance Tasks and Setting Realistic Goals

Effective maintenance planning involves setting clear priorities and achievable goals. This ensures that both urgent and long-term needs are met without overwhelming resources or inflating budgets.

Immediate vs. Long-term Needs

Balancing immediate needs with long-term goals is essential when prioritizing maintenance tasks. Address immediate safety concerns first, as these can have significant implications for the health and safety of building occupants. Once immediate needs are addressed, focus on long-term upgrades and improvements that enhance the overall functionality and efficiency of the building.

Balance Aesthetics and Functionality

You want your building to feel good and look good, too. Aesthetic improvements, such as repainting exterior walls or pressure washing the entry and sidewalks, can enhance the building’s overall appearance, increase its value, and enhance tenant satisfaction.

Set Achievable Goals

Break down large maintenance projects into manageable tasks with realistic timelines and milestones. This approach prevents overwhelming maintenance staff and ensures that each task is completed efficiently. Setting achievable goals also helps maintain motivation and accountability among the maintenance team.

Monitor and Document Progress

Keep detailed records of all maintenance activities, including completed tasks, associated costs, and any issues encountered. This documentation is invaluable for future budgeting and planning, providing a clear history of maintenance efforts and their outcomes. Regular monitoring and documentation also help identify recurring issues requiring more comprehensive solutions.

Property managers can ensure that maintenance activities are efficient and impactful by effectively prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals.

Keep Your Budget On Track With Proactive Building Maintenance

Planning and prevention measures reduce the likelihood of these often avoidable and costly repairs. Proactive maintenance is vital for preserving a building’s integrity and value. By effectively planning your annual maintenance budget, you can reduce long-term costs, improve building efficiency, and ensure safety and compliance.

Partnering with experts like Awnclean can help you develop and execute a comprehensive maintenance strategy tailored to your building’s needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your investment and maintain your property in top condition.


How Expertise Drives Safety Compliance Across Building Services

At Awnclean, we specialize in various building services, including window washing and facade repair. This work requires our teams to traverse over 13,000 building facades yearly, and it’s not a responsibility we take lightly. While we are experts in working at heights, we also respect the inherent dangers. To reduce risks, we develop unique job site safety plans and hazard analysis before starting a project. We also provide thorough safety training and continuing safety education to our operational teams.

By incorporating safety into every step of the job, we assure building owners and property managers of a safe and successful project. This article aims to convey the value of choosing a building service provider who is not only skilled at their craft but also committed to safety compliance.

Going it Alone into the Building Compliance Unknown

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of legal liabilities, financial penalties, and injuries is to prioritize safety compliance. But compliance is complex, regulations change, and it’s easy to miss something if you don’t stay current.

The latest edition of The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 29 Standard 1926 is a whopping 628 pages long. This publication covers labor and is only one of many standards building owners must be familiar with. The sheer volume of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations—thousands of pages detailing everything from stairwell widths to emergency exit signage—can overwhelm even the most diligent property managers.

With OSHA fines increasing yearly, hoping you are covered is not a risk worth taking. It’s no wonder the number of jobs in the occupational health and safety field will grow by more than two times the national average in the next decade. You can’t plan for everything, but you can bolster confidence in your compliance by working with service providers specializing in safety.

Why Expertise Matters in Safety Compliance

Safety experts know all the ins and outs of OSHA regulations, so they translate legal jargon into clear steps. Plus, these experts create safety plans that fit each specific project. For example, the risks in regular maintenance work, like window cleaning at heights, are different from those in larger capital projects, like waterproofing, so a one-size-fits-all approach to safety will not be effective. Compliance with local and federal regulations is critical, and when paired with industry expertise, injuries and incidents are less likely to occur.

When you choose to work with Awnclean, you gain access to our extensive knowledge of fall protection systems. Our turn-key solutions for installing state-of-the-art safety systems provide a comprehensive understanding of their use and the requirements for compliance. This expertise is a valuable asset in ensuring the safety of your building and its occupants.

Navigating Building Safety Compliance 

Understanding OSHA regulations is the first step towards compliance; implementing OSHA standards solidifies the journey to full compliance. Our team leverages decades of hands-on experience and theoretical learning to design government-approved training courses and develop better safety guidelines through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Creating a Safe Working Environment 

A safe job site starts with preventative measures such as conducting a Job Safety Analysis (JSA). During this phase, the goal is to remove hazards altogether, and when that isn’t possible, we devise a written work plan for the safest way to navigate the hazard. When hazards exist, expertise lends itself to properly using fall protection equipment, mitigating the risk of incidents. One example is our initiative to switch from hard hats to safety helmets on the job site, adding an extra layer of precaution while reinforcing our commitment to safety.

Onboarding with Safety in Mind

With a passion for improving the safety of all workers through compliance and education, we deliver seminars and create safety training programs for organizations like the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA). Our onboarding process includes a thorough screening and a robust training program. Employees must complete field training and pass written tests for work eligibility. Our training programs, thoughtfully crafted by our experts who are recognized by the industry for their lifelong commitment to safety, exceed OSHA and industry standards.

Continuous Safety Training and Awareness

We further supplement our safety culture through weekly on-site safety inspections of all work sites and personnel. In addition, we are proud to participate in events such as OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down. Our newsletters share practical safety tips and serve as a great avenue for keeping safety top-of-mind.

Maintaining Compliance and Document Management

Lastly, documentation and certification round out critical building safety compliance requirements. Our SafeSite Program is designed to help building owners manage documentation and meet inspection and certification requirements.

Case Study: From Safety Repair to Maintenance

Our skill set came into play during a recent renovation in Washington, D.C. While the existing building envelope was to remain the same, the building’s fall protection systems needed rooftop anchors, new davit pedestals, and arms to meet compliance regulations. Our sister company, Valcourt Safety Systems, worked closely with the owner, architect, and our third-party engineer to design a plan and carry out the work.

Once complete, Valcourt’s window washing team won the window maintenance contract and began regular window cleaning with the peace of mind of working with certified fall protection and rooftop anchorage systems. In turn, the building owners knew they took the necessary measures to meet compliance regulations and moral obligations.

Our comprehensive solutions and industry expertise help you achieve and maintain compliance with complex regulations.

Keeping Your Building Safe and Compliant 

For property managers, the checklist for maintaining building compliance may seem never-ending. All the requirements can leave you wondering if you have checked every compliance box. The risk of fines, litigations, and potential injuries is motivation enough to remove all uncertainty. Our commitment to safety across building services removes that uncertainty, saving you time and worry.

Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our people and community. Contact us today for a quote and enjoy the assurance of working with professionals who prioritize safety and quality workmanship.

 


The Role of Pressure Washing in Maintaining Your Building’s Exterior

Adding pressure washing to your routine building maintenance strategy is a simple yet effective way to achieve a clean and attractive facade. In spite of its simplicity, pressure washing is an often-neglected strategy for maintaining a building’s exterior thought to be reserved for the toughest of stains or addressing years of neglect. 

Pressure washing revitalizes surfaces by cleaning and removing pollutants such as oils, mold, graffiti, and rust, thus making your building appear years younger. However, removing all those pollutants also contributes to your building’s structural longevity and can make walkways safer. In this article, we will walk you through the ins and outs of pressure washing, including what you should pressure wash and what you shouldn’t, along with the benefits of adding pressure washing to your routine property maintenance and spring cleaning. 

The Dual Benefits of Pressure Washing: Aesthetic and Structural

In spite of its deep roots in physics, pressure washing is fairly straightforward. A water pump accelerates water creating a high-pressure stream. The water is then directed through a hose and out a spray wand. Users can tackle different levels of cleaning tasks by adjusting the pressure and changing the nozzle. 

Getting the most out of your commercial property requires proper maintenance that addresses its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Pressure washing shines in this facet, as it supports both of these goals. Leveraging this type of facade maintenance will improve your curb appeal, thus adding value. In addition, pressure washing can also remove harmful pollutants capable of breaking down sealants and other vital materials designed to protect your property. 

Can You Pressure Wash Your Building’s Facade? 

The type of material being pressure washed, the level of pressure, and the nozzle all factor into whether or not you can pressure wash your facade. The pressure or water flow is measured by pounds per square inch (PSI) or gallons per minute (GPM). To better understand this, let’s take a look at the three levels of pressure washers. 

  • Light-duty pressure washers – up to 1900 PSI (2 GPM) and are designed for residential requirements. 
  • Heavy-duty pressure washers – top out at 2800 PSI (3 GPM) and can tackle most commercial requirements. 
  • Industrial pressure washers – max out around 7000 PSI (5 GPM) and are more efficient at taking on the toughest tasks. 

To put that in perspective, an automatic car wash operates at 1,000 – 1,200 PSI, while a pressure washer up to 7000 PSI can remove graffiti and paint and cut through wood. The U.S. General Services Admission (GSA) advises against pressure washing porous materials (red brick, marble, stone, etc.) due to the risk of severe damage. 

The nozzle on the pressure washer determines the cleaning pressure. Without the nozzle, you would just have a motor-powered garden hose. The lower the angle of the nozzle, the more intense the spray pattern. For instance, a 0o spray pattern produces a laser-esque stream useful for tough jobs, while a 40o spray pattern is wider and softer, making it ideal for more delicate surfaces. Turbo nozzles rotate and, when combined with a 0o spray pattern, have more power and cover more ground which can speed up the cleaning process. 

You must also factor in the materials you are pressure washing, as using the wrong combination of pressure and nozzle can damage them or produce poor results. Companies providing professional pressure washing services often have specialized equipment to transport pressure washing equipment to hard-to-reach spaces or where water is inaccessible. 

So, the answer is “Yes”, you can pressure wash your facade if you do it correctly. This is where leaning on professional expertise can make all the difference. Professional pressure washing companies know what PSI, nozzle, and technique each job requires without damaging your property. Next, we will cover which technique works best in various situations. 

Choosing the Right Technique: High PSI vs. Soft Washing

Soft washing offers a gentler approach through low-pressure water, often combined with specialized cleaning solutions. This technique effectively removes dirt, algae, moles, and other contaminants and is ideal for those porous surfaces we mentioned. High PSI pressure washing harnesses the power of high-pressure water to tackle tough stains and build-up on durable surfaces. It’s an excellent choice for areas that endure heavy use and require deep cleaning.

Ideal Applications for Each Method

High PSI Pressure Washing

  • Sidewalks and curbs: Removes gum, stains, moss, mold, and grime effectively.
  • Walkways and retaining walls: Cleans deep-seated dirt and revitalizes the appearance.
  • Loading docks and dumpster pads: Essential for sanitation, and removing oil, grease, and debris.

Just like doing dishes at home, hot water works best for the toughest jobs. When high PSI isn’t enough, hot-pressure washers may be required to achieve the desired results. Rusting, for instance, is extremely difficult to remove. It’s also a good sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed, or that same rusting will return.

Soft Washing

  • Exterior facades: Protects against damage while cleaning, especially those made of materials like vinyl, wood, Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), or certain types of stone and brick.
  • Roofs and gutters: Removes mold and mildew without risking structural damage.
  • Landscaped areas: Using harmful chemicals to speed up the cleaning process can easily create a costly landscaping problem. Areas above sensitive vegetation require a mix of gentle psi and the proper chemical that gets the desired result while taking avoidable damage out of play. 

With the right technique, pressure washing keeps your property clean and well-maintained, preventing costly repairs. 

Revitalize Your Property with Pressure Washing Services from AwnClean

Pressure washing revives your property, improves safety, and removes harmful contaminants capable of causing damage. It’s an effective way of keeping your property looking its best and a must-add for most property’s year-round upkeep. We take on pressure-washing projects of all scopes and sizes, including facades, parking garages, loading docks, and more. Here are some features that help us stand out from the crowd. 

  • Pressure Washing Expertise: Our pressure-washing team knows precisely what technique, nozzle, and angle to use on various building surfaces. 
  • High-Rise Pressure Washing: We understand what it takes to pressure wash the highest heights with the utmost safety precautions. 
  • Sustainability Mindset: When jobs arise that require chemicals, we leverage our expertise to choose the appropriate chemical cleaning solution to restore your facade’s appearance without harming your facade or the environment. 

At AwnClean, our pressure-washing team is ready to rejuvenate your property. Contact us today for a quote, and let our team exceed your expectations.


Prioritizing Safety of Building Façade Access and Fall Protection

Your building’s façade conveys the first impression of aesthetics and serves as your first line of defense against environmental factors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires you, as a building owner, to mitigate risks and provide a safe working environment for those performing work on your building, including general maintenance. This article covers the essential role of safety measures in mitigating risks through safe building façade access and proper fall protection. 

The Significance of Safe Building Façade Access

Building collapses are rare. The risk of that happening poses a significant threat to public safety. For this reason, many of our major cities in the U.S. have façade ordinance laws that require inspections. Here are some examples: 

  • Chicago is home to the Willis Tower, the treasure of the Windy City skyline. Our nation’s third-tallest building, including antennas, reaches 1,750 feet. Depending on the type of building, Chicago requires façade inspections to occur between four and 12 years for buildings over 80 feet tall. 
  • Philadelphia was home to the world’s tallest building from 1894 to 1908. Nowadays, Philly boasts nearly 60 skyscrapers. Façade inspections are required every five years for buildings exceeding six stories or with an appurtenance taller than 60 feet. 

Safe building façade access facilitates inspections while allowing you to maintain and repair your façade, addressing minor issues before they become big problems. Window cleaning, pressure washing the façade, and leak repairs allow you to extend the life of your building, preserving its value while protecting the public. In addition, safe access is critical to creating the safe working environment OSHA requires, along with proper training, equipment, and protocols. 

Overview of Building Façade Access Methods

Accessing the façade, especially on taller buildings, is not for the faint of heart. Workers need to feel physically and psychologically safe when performing façade work. This environment allows them to maintain their focus, keep safety at the forefront, and actively speak up about safety concerns. The equipment they use to traverse the façade has many shapes and forms. 

  1. Rope Descent Systems (RDS): Think of rappelling, but for work! Workers use ropes to descend the side of the building for window cleaning or minor repairs on high-rise buildings. 
  • Pro: It’s quicker to set up, less bulky, and more cost-effective than scaffolding. 
  • Cons: There’s a height limit of 300 feet by OSHA standards due to the combined risk of lengthy rope and wind. 
  1. Suspended Scaffolding: When scaffolding from the ground up isn’t enough, scaffolds can suspend from an overhead structure, allowing workers to move to the desired level. 
  • Pro: It’s stable, can handle a lot of weight, and allows multiple workers and equipment to operate on the platform at once. 
  • Con: It takes time to set up and take down and can be expensive and obstructive.
  1. Lifts (Aerial Lifts and Booms): Because they offer mobility, aerial lifts provide more flexibility than ladders and scaffolding. In extreme cases, boom lifts can reach a couple hundred feet but mainly provide façade access for the first few stories of a building. 
  • Pro: They’re fast and flexible.
  • Con: They can only reach some places, are costly to rent, and are limited by the ground around the building, such as uneven surfaces or space constraints.
  1. Building Maintenance Units (BMU): These are permanent setups on the tops of the tallest skyscrapers. They’re like a little car on a track going around the roof, lowering a platform down the side. 
  • Pros: They can cover the entire building and are reusable.
  • Cons: They are expensive to install and maintain and are only financially viable with tall or complex buildings.

Every method requires specific training and routine inspection to ensure safety and meet OSHA fall protection regulations. 

Identifying Your Building’s Façade Access Needs

The primary goal is to create and maintain a safe working environment for anyone accessing your building façade. Begin with assessing your building’s architecture, safety incidents or concerns, and recent façade inspections. 

Awnclean assesses your façade access needs with a full inspection and a customized plan to achieve compliance. You can rest easy, as our expert team takes the worry of non-compliance off your plate. Our end-to-end solutions cover design and installation, followed by post-install support for testing and certification. 

Elevating Safety for Building Façade Access

Whether you are a building owner, an employer, or a worker at heights, you have a role in fall protection. Each role relies on the other to carry out its respective responsibilities to ensure safety and reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from falls. 

Awnclean stands at the forefront of safety. We are ready to assist you in getting your property up to speed in terms of safety, OSHA compliance, and aesthetics. Contact Awnclean for information on examining your façade access needs and fall protection systems.


How Spring Cleaning Builds Resilience for Commercial Properties

Leap year provided us an early spring this year, while the “prognosticator of prognosticators,” Punxatawney Phil, all but guaranteed it. With spring comes the welcoming, warm weather, losing an hour of sleep due to daylight savings time, and possibly even more when we realize it’s also time for spring cleaning. 

For commercial property owners, spring brings about the opportunity to get your buildings in tip-top shape in preparation for all that Mother Nature brings in beauty and beast. This article covers how a robust spring cleaning regiment fortifies your building against the upcoming seasonal challenges. 

The Power of Spring Cleaning

The concept of spring cleaning dates back hundreds of years, if not more, and is steeped in cultural tradition. As a long-standing tradition, spring cleaning presents the perfect opportunity as the temperatures get warmer, the days get longer, and nature awakens from its slumber to restore your building’s shine. 

The building’s exterior is the first thing people notice, and a well-maintained facade can significantly enhance the building’s curb appeal. Spring cleaning improves the overall appearance and hygiene of your building by removing accumulated dust, dirt, and other debris. While the act of cleaning itself positively impacts health and well-being, it also affects the health and morale of occupants. As a building owner, checking off your spring cleaning list provides a sense of accomplishment and instills confidence that your tenants are taken care of. 

If you don’t have a spring cleaning checklist, start with an assessment of your property to uncover what areas most need attention. Sidewalks, parking garages, windows, and parking decks are a few of the most common areas to review during your assessment. This is also an excellent time to work with your building services provider to check sealants for signs of wear and the facade for damage. Spring cleaning and proactive maintenance are your best line of defense and offense for upcoming seasonal challenges. 

Pollen Impact and Preparation

Itchy eyes, runny noses, and sluggish feelings are just a few symptoms people struggle with as spring flowers bloom. Pollen doesn’t just wreak havoc on those with allergies. If left unabated, pollen can affect indoor air quality. Pollen can pile up on parking decks, walkways, and other exterior surfaces, making your building look dingy and neglected. Pressure washing and window cleaning, can rid your building of its coat of pollen. 

Bracing for the Buzz: Pre-Spring Pest Prep

Pollen isn’t the only thing that emerges around springtime. This year experts predict what they call a double brood event of cicada emergence, producing billions of noisy creatures. While cicadas aren’t quite the nuisance to building owners that, rodents, roaches, and bedbugs are, their emergence will leave behind carcasses and attract predators sure to leave their mark. Bird Proofing and a proactive approach to spring cleaning and maintenance is your first line of defense in ensuring your building is well-protected from pests. 

Spring Into Action With Proactive Maintenance

Both spring and fall present opportune moments to spruce up your building and remove the remnants of the previous season. Just past the winter thaw and before the full brunt of the summer heat is perfect for comprehensive window cleaning. Professional window cleaning services don’t just remove superficial dirt, they take care of pollen, bird droppings, and smudges and streaks. This is essential in preventing build-up on your windows that can deteriorate their quality over time. When that happens, returning your windows to the ideal condition requires more extensive efforts including deep cleaning, restoration, or even full replacement. 

Other common areas, like parking decks and walkways, are equally important in spring cleaning. These high-traffic areas bear the brunt of daily traffic and the harsh summer and winter environments. Using a scrubber or pressure washing these surfaces removes residue from ice-melt treatments and other contaminants. Pressure washing can remove mold growth from walkways common during the rainy season and a potential risk for slips and falls. This paves the way for a safer and aesthetically pleasing building and campus. 

Make Spring Cleaning A Breeze with Awnclean

Through spring cleaning and preventative maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs and replacements, significantly boost tenant satisfaction, and, ultimately, enhance your property’s value. Awnclean stands at the forefront of preserving and elevating commercial properties with an unwavering focus on safety and customer satisfaction.

By entrusting your property to Awnclean, you choose a partner dedicated to maintaining its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. Contact Awnclean today to see how our range of services, from cleaning facades to large-scale restoration projects, ensures that your building not only withstands the tests of time and nature but also thrives.


Guidelines for Choosing the Right Building Service Provider

Choosing the right building service provider is paramount for property managers and building owners. The stakes are high, as a poor selection can lead to inadequate maintenance, increased liability, and even property devaluation. Making an informed decision means considering expertise, safety standards, and customer feedback.

This comprehensive guide will assist you in navigating through the selection process, ensuring you partner with a service provider who aligns with your property’s specific needs and maintains its value and integrity.

Consequences of Poor Selection: Liability and Cost Implications

With so much on the line, the consequences of choosing a substandard service provider can lead to significant liability claims, fines, and costly repairs.

  • Premises Liability Claims: This type of claim arises when injuries occur due to a dangerous condition on another person’s property. To establish a premises liability claim, it’s typically necessary to prove three key elements: a dangerous condition existed on the property, the property owner was negligent in creating or not addressing this condition, and this negligence directly resulted in injury or property damage. Building service providers who lack experience, perform low-quality work, or use cheap materials put building owners at greater risk of falling victim to this type of claim.
  • Lost Time Managing Subpar Vendors: Hiring subpar vendors often results in poor communication, lack of follow-through and response time, and rework. Spending time constantly following up with vendors or even chasing down an unresponsive vendor wastes your time. In the long run, you will likely need to find another provider to do the job correctly.
  • Costly Repairs: When vendors fail to make repairs correctly the first time or to perform preventative maintenance, it will lead to expensive repairs. For instance, the cost of correcting someone else’s mistake will most certainly cost more than the original quote. Ignoring preventative maintenance can cause issues to go unnoticed and fester into larger problems.
  • Lower Property Value: Structural integrity, curb appeal, and safety are critical to your property’s value. Unlike factors such as the economy and interest rates, maintaining your property is within your control. One way or another, your choice of building service provider directly impacts the value of your property.

Selecting a reliable and competent service provider is crucial for efficient property management, property value, and avoiding repeated interventions, hassles, and expenses.

Selecting the Right Building Service Provider

The ideal building service provider should not only fit within your budget but also possess the capabilities to meet your property’s unique demands. Make it a priority to choose a building service provider who aligns well with your objectives and ensures that your property is maintained effectively, enhancing its value and appeal. This decision is about more than just immediate service needs; it’s about forming a partnership that supports your property’s ongoing success and sustainability.

1. Evaluate for Expertise and Experience

Evaluating a building service provider’s expertise and experience is a crucial step. You can achieve this by exploring several avenues, such as online reviews, the provider’s website, and direct inquiries.

  • Online Reviews and Ratings: Check online platforms like Google, Yelp, or industry-specific sites for reviews and ratings. These can provide insights into the provider’s performance and customer satisfaction levels.
  • Provider’s Website: Visit their official website to explore case studies, project portfolios, and testimonials. This information often reflects their experience and areas of specialization.
  • Professional Networks: Contact your network of property owners and managers for recommendations and firsthand experiences with various providers.
  • Industry Forums and Online Communities: Engage in forums or platforms where property management professionals discuss and share experiences with different service providers.
  • Direct Inquiry: Contact the provider directly and request detailed information about their past projects, years in business, and client references.

These methods can collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of a provider’s expertise and reliability in the field.

2. Assess the Provider’s Service Offerings

When selecting a building service provider, it’s vital to ensure they offer a comprehensive range of services that cater to the diverse needs of your buildings. This adaptability is crucial for addressing unique maintenance requirements effectively.

  • Wide Range of Services: A proficient provider should offer various services, such as window cleaning, waterproofing, and concrete and leak repair. This flexibility includes customizing maintenance plans, adjusting service schedules, and being able to handle unforeseen issues promptly.
  • Specialized Solutions: Providers should have tailored solutions catering to these building types, showcasing their understanding and expertise in various fields.
  • Resource Availability: Examine the provider’s resources, including their workforce, equipment, and technological capabilities. These resources should align with the scale and complexity of your building’s maintenance needs.
  • Commitment to Preventative Maintenance: A focus on proactive strategies to mitigate wear and tear is essential. This approach helps maintain the building’s aesthetics and structural integrity, prolonging its lifespan.

A building service provider’s ability to offer wide-ranging, specialized, and flexible services, supported by adequate resources and a preventative approach, is crucial in selecting the right partner for your building’s maintenance needs.

3. Ensure Safety Standards and Compliance

Prioritizing safety in building maintenance is non-negotiable. Ensure the provider adheres to industry-standard safety protocols and requires OSHA-required certifications & inspections when suspending from your roof anchorages. A commitment to ongoing employee training and safety education is vital.

This commitment to safety protects workers and ensures the integrity and security of your property.

  • OSHA Certifications: Confirm that the provider has relevant safety training certifications from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other industry associations, like OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 training. These certifications are indicators of a provider’s dedication to maintaining high safety standards in their operations.
  • Standards & Regulations: Question your provider’s knowledge of compliance with various regulatory bodies. This knowledge demonstrates their commitment to following legal safety requirements and industry best practices.
  • Ongoing Training and Education: Evaluate the provider’s commitment to continuous employee training and safety education. Regular training ensures that the workforce is up-to-date with the latest safety protocols and techniques, minimizing risks and enhancing the quality of service.

A safety-minded building service provider adheres to regulatory compliance and fosters a safe working environment, safeguarding the workforce, tenants, and property.

4. Review Risk Mitigation Capabilities

Assessing risk mitigation capabilities involves examining whether the provider is sufficiently equipped to manage and minimize potential risks associated with building maintenance, repairs, and emergencies. Such capabilities are pivotal in ensuring the provider can support your property effectively, not just under normal circumstances but also in unexpected situations that may arise.

  • Licensed, Bonded, and Insured: A building service provider that is licensed, bonded, and insured offers legal credibility, financial protection against potential job failures or damages, and insurance coverage for accidents or liabilities.
  • Proactive Business Continuity Approach: The ideal provider will have well-developed business continuity and emergency preparedness plans. For example, evaluating the work site for hazards before starting a job, planning active job-site hours when it’s best for the safety of your property and its tenants, properly blocking off the job site area, and having emergency rescue plans when using suspended access equipment.
  • Emergency Preparedness: A provider with robust emergency response protocols, such as emergency leak repair, ensures that your property receives prompt and effective service during critical situations, minimizing potential damage and downtime.

A building service provider who prioritizes risk mitigation understands the impacts on your tenants and property when things don’t go as planned. A provider who has this mindset ensures prompt building repairs and takes measures to prevent future problems.

5. Making Your Selection

After narrowing down your choices based on expertise, service offerings, safety standards, and risk mitigation, it’s time to make the final selection. This crucial step involves a detailed evaluation of how each candidate aligns with your needs and goals.

  • Request and Compare Proposals: Review detailed proposals from your shortlisted providers. Assess how each proposal addresses your requirements, including service scope, timelines, and cost.
  • Site Visits and Meetings: Arrange site visits or meetings with potential providers. Observe their professionalism and ask in-depth questions about their approach to your project.
  • Final Evaluation: Consider all the information gathered, including feedback from references. Evaluate each provider’s ability to deliver quality services within your budget.

Choose the provider who best fits your criteria and demonstrates the capability to maintain and enhance your property effectively. Remember, the right provider is not just a contractor but a partner in maintaining your property’s value and functionality.

Awnclean’s Expertise in Building Services

At Awnclean, we pride ourselves on offering an extensive range of specialized building services. Our expertise encompasses pressure washing, awning and canopy cleaning, window cleaning, roof cleaning, sealer treatments, and much more. We are committed to delivering high-quality services tailored to meet the unique needs of each building.

Our team, equipped with industry-leading knowledge and tools, ensures every project upholds the highest standards of safety and excellence. Contact Awnclean today and partner with a team dedicated to preserving and enhancing the value and functionality of your property.

 


Leveraging Building Facade Maintenance to Beat the Odds in a Challenging Market

In the face of reduced office occupancy post-pandemic, increased vacancies, and a cooling residential rental market, building managers and property owners must once again prioritize their efforts to attract tenants. Strategic façade maintenance enhances aesthetic appeal, attracting tenants and buyers; improves energy efficiency, reducing operational costs; and ensures safety, mitigating costly legal and repair liabilities. This comprehensive approach ensures that every dollar spent on facade maintenance not only preserves but also adds value to the property, making it a wise and fruitful investment in today’s competitive real estate market.

Current Market Challenges for Commercial Buildings

In today’s uncertain economic landscape, characterized by escalating costs and a squeeze on capital, commercial property owners face a crucial need to adapt. The commercial real estate sector is navigating a turbulent period marked by significant challenges:

Impact of High-Interest Rates: Rising interest rates have reduced commercial real estate lending activity. With fixed and floating-rate loan costs increasing, property sales are facing financial pressure. Higher interest rates have raised debt service payments and tightened underwriting criteria, impacting loan proceeds and necessitating additional financial safeguards.

Low Office Occupancy Rates: The aftermath of the pandemic has brought about a notable change in work patterns, resulting in decreased office occupancy rates. This change has directly influenced buyer perceptions, making it challenging for property owners to maintain or increase the value of their office spaces.

Navigating a Perfect Storm: High interest and low occupancy rates create a perfect storm. Experts predict an outcome that lands somewhere between manageable and plunging values worse than The Great Financial Crisis. Building managers must showcase their properties as attractive investments with tangible value.

In light of evolving market dynamics, including heightened interest rates and evolving office occupancy trends, savvy building management is more crucial than ever. Leveraging a building facade maintenance repair and inspection checklist is one proven method to stay on top of your building’s needs.

First Impressions: The Importance of Facade Maintenance 

First impressions can influence long-term tenant satisfaction and retention, impacting the property’s profitability and reputation. A well-maintained façade immediately conveys a sense of quality and care, making the property more appealing to potential tenants and buyers. A building’s exterior reflects its overall value and the quality of maintenance it receives.

Building façade maintenance balances the demands of aesthetic modernization, energy efficiency, and safety. This approach is not just about preserving assets; it’s about enhancing property value, ensuring cost efficiency in an environment of rising costs, and delivering a solid first impression to potential tenants.

Financial Benefits of Façade Maintenance

The financial advantages of façade maintenance are significant and multi-faceted, directly impacting the long-term fiscal health of commercial properties.

Long-Term Cost Savings: Preventive maintenance is cost-effective, preemptively addressing minor issues before they escalate into major facade repairs. We’ve seen cases of minor facade work being put off only to result in significant repair at ten times the cost and contribute to other damage.

Enhanced Property Valuation: Consistent and thorough façade maintenance increases a property’s valuation. Property owners preserve and potentially elevate the building’s market value by conducting regular facade assessments and modernizing the exterior, contributing to a higher return on investment.

Energy Efficiency: Sealing windows and glass restoration can significantly enhance a building’s energy efficiency and deliver lower energy costs.

Mitigating Safety Hazards: By addressing safety-related issues through façade maintenance, property owners can avoid the potential legal and financial ramifications associated with accidents or hazards.

The financial aspects of façade maintenance are integral to sustaining a building’s structural integrity, energy efficiency, and overall market appeal.

Enhancing Curb Appeal Through Façade Maintenance

This first impression often goes two ways: enhancing curb appeal conveys the message that the building is well cared for while lacking curb appeal brings a heightened acuity to other issues.

Window Cleaning: Including stain removal and glass restoration, these services ensure clear, sparkling windows, enhancing the building’s overall aesthetic appeal.

Facade Cleaning: Utilizing pressure washing and other cleaning techniques, Awnclean effectively cleans various façade materials, from brick and concrete to synthetic stucco and EIFS.

Metal Cleaning: Specialized metal mullion polishing services restore and maintain the luster of metal components, contributing to the building’s visual appeal.

Retail/Lobby Storefront Cleaning: Clean and well-maintained storefronts and lobbies create welcoming environments for visitors and potential clients.

Bird Proofing: This service helps maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the façade, preventing unsightly and damaging bird-related issues.

Incorporating these services into a regular maintenance routine addresses visible wear and tear and enhances the property’s perceived value.

Strengthening Property Value through Strategic Facade Maintenance

Protecting commercial property through facade maintenance is an ideal strategy for property managers and building owners to employ in the face of commercial real estate headwinds. Prioritizing services like window cleaning, pressure washing, metal mullion polishing, and bird-proofing collectively contribute to a stronger, more attractive, and financially sound property.

With over 35 years of experience, Awnclean’s team is adept at servicing various façade types, offering tailored solutions like facade repair & restoration and emergency leak repairs. Our comprehensive services ensure that minor issues don’t escalate into major concerns. Contact Awnclean for a quote tailored to your building’s facade maintenance needs.