Commercial Fears

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

A big fear of many business owners is a disaster striking their building. Not only is it a headache to deal with the situation, but the loss of revenue is another big concern. With everything happening, one can feel overwhelmed and loss. This is where SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill strives in helping these owners. We follow the 1-4-8 Service Response Guidelines. Within one hour from notice of a loss, SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will contact you to arrange scheduling. Within four hours of the loss notification, a SERVPRO® professional will be on-site to begin mitigation services. With eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope is communicated to the appropriate person. With the 1-4-8 Service Guidelines, any owner can take a sigh of relief knowing that SERVPRO® will make the remediation process easy and pain free. Additionally, SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offers business owners a free service called Emergency Response Plan (ERP). With an ERP, a SERVPRO® representative would have gone to the place of business and compiled information from important phone numbers, pictures and locations of shut offs, and have a point of contact in the event of a disaster. An ERP makes it easy for the business to respond to a disaster because all the information anyone would need to respond is in the packet that even employees can use. So, no matter the size of your commercial business, rest assured that SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill will help make it "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Emergency Ready Plan

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Being the owner and responsible for a commercial building can carry a lot of stress. Not only are you worried about day to day operations, but also what you would do if a disaster such as a fire, pipe burst, or mold should occur. Does your staff know what actions should they take if any of those things happen? Do they know where the main building shut offs are? These are very important questions that any owner should be asking. Being unprepared could mean not only the possibility of secondary damage, but also a larger loss of income. Do not worry though! SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill offers a free service to lift the stress off your shoulders. It is called an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). And ERP not only labels important contacts, but also important shut off sources. Coming in a paper copy as well as a living online document, and owner can easily make sure that even if they are not on the property, they can get an ERP into the right hands. The ERP has not only pictures of important shut offs for a business, but also detailed notes of how one would access it. This makes the ERP valuable for even firefighters and plumbers. With quick action and a contingency plan, and Emergency Response Plan is a very valuable tool for any commercial building. Please take actions to make sure that you are prepared for any disaster that may occur. Call SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill now to schedule your free Emergency Response Plan today at (301) 292-4447!

Indoor Air Quality

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Why the indoor air quality of dialysis centers and hospitals can’t be neglected.

Indoor air quality is a major concern for dialysis centers and hospitals around the country. Dialysis and medical centers are especially vulnerable to mold, which compromises the integrity of air quality. But what makes dialysis centers and hospitals so prone to mold growth, and what does that mean for indoor air quality?

If you help operate a dialysis center or a hospital, you can’t afford to overlook the threat that mold poses for your air quality. Here are some of the reasons why your center is vulnerable to mold and why it matters:

• Vulnerability:There are quite a few reasons why dialysis centers and hospitals are prone to mold infestations…
  • Dialysis centers: Dialysis centers can harbor multiple mold infestations if they are not properly maintained. Since dialysis centers use reverse osmosis water therapy, moisture is an integral part of the daily practice of dialysis centers. And, since mold only needs moisture in order to thrive, improperly maintained dialysis centers can be breeding grounds for mold.
  • Hospitals and medical centers:There is plenty of moisture to go around in hospitals and medical centers, as well. Combine the prevalence of moisture with the combination of all sorts of bacteria and chemicals, and you have a recipe for mold infestation and, as a result, poor indoor air quality.

• Health:Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to health, especially for those going through the volatile process of recovery. Airborne mold can cause allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, and bodily irritation. When people are trying to overcome an illness or recover from surgery, the air must be as clean as possible.

• More mold:Indoor air quality problems can lead to serious mold infestations. If the air quality is not properly regulated, then mold can infest countless surfaces in the building. This unfortunate fact was recently highlighted in Pittsburgh, where two University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals have experienced serious and dangerous mold infestations. A review by the CDC indicates that the mold infestation was a result of poor air quality since dust and mold spores most likely entered the medical centers through the ventilation.

If you need our assistance, please call us @ (301) 292.4447.

Be Disaster Aware in Oxon Hill

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Be Disaster Aware- Take Action to Prepare

The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency or disaster. While each situation is unique, your family can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies. The following are measures you and your family can take to start getting ready. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your family, home, and the community. Review the following questions to learn if your family and home is prepared.

Be Informed

Do you know what kind of emergencies might affect your home or daily life? Do you know what you and your family will do in an emergency situation?

Prepare Your Emergency Plan

Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during, and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Practice the Emergency Plan

Have you practiced your plan recently? Does your family know where to go in the event of a natural disaster? Have you reviewed your plans in the last 12 months?

Review Insurance Coverage

Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster?

Secure Your Home

Have you conducted a room-by room walk-through to determine what safety measures can be taken?

Improve Cyber Security

Have you installed a firewall on your computer? Do you regularly update your antivirus software? If you answered “No” to any of these questions, visit ready.gov and learn how to better prepare your family and home for an emergency or natural disaster.

Call SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill today for your FREE Emergency Plan! 301.292.4447

Commercial Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO of Oxon Hill also offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup* and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminates can pose serious health consequences. Employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO of Oxon Hill is trained to safely and efficiently remove biohazardous substances, and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations. Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO of Oxon Hill can help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO of Oxon Hill can help with the following issues:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson
• Vandalism
• Sewage Backups
• Black Water Intrusions
• Mold Mitigation and Remediation

State and local regulations vary.

Contact SERVPRO of Oxon Hill today for 24-hour emergency service. 301.292.4447

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

Technology can now be a vital tool in preparing for emergencies or disasters, as well as during or after to stay informed of the situation and in communication with others. From common technology you already use on a day-to-day basis to taking a few extra steps to prepare, the following will help you be ready in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Store Information Online

There are many places to store important information securely online. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox offer free way to store different types of files, from a Word document to images of important documents. Ready.gov suggests saving an electronic version of insurance policies, identification documents, medical records, and information on your pets, if necessary.

Follow the News

Stay informed by following agencies such as FEMA, local news channels, and local government on Twitter for the most up-to-date information in a disaster situation. You can also alert first responders if a rescue is needed through Twitter.

Mark Yourself Safe

The American Red Cross offers a Safe & Well check-in site to list yourself as safe or find family and friends in situations where communication is difficult to establish. Facebook also has a feature called Safety Check that is activated after natural disasters or a crisis. You will receive a notification from Facebook if you’re located in the affected area at that time.

Get in Touch

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in your phone and e-mail for communication with family, friends, business contacts, and others whom you may need to get in contact with before, during, or after a disaster.

Charge Up

Keep a portable charger in your car and home in case of an emergency. You may need to recharge this from time to time, but you can also buy solar-powered chargers as well.

Get an Emergency READY Profile®

SERVPRO® is proud to offer Emergency READY Profiles® (ERP) for free at ready.SERVPRO.com to help prepare you, your property, or your business for an emergency. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® for your property or business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your property or business. Put help in the palm of your hand with the Ready Plan App. Get in touch with your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional today for more information on developing an ERP for your property or business, and SERVPRO® will be there to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

FREE Commercial Emergency Preparedness: Oxon Hill, MD  

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

ERP

Many businesses are not prepared to deal with disaster. Statistics show that 50% of small businesses that close due to disaster NEVER reopen. Small businesses are at such risk due to all of their operations being housed in one central location that is damaged or destroyed. This is why Emergency planning is vital to the success and continuation of small businesses.

Most storms and other natural disasters approach with notice which allows for some advanced planning and preparing. But even in the scenario where advance notice is not provided SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) can help. SERVPRO’s ERP provides all necessary information about your business and building that you would need to be able to respond immediately. In the face of a disaster immediate response is vital to getting you back to business.

SERVPRO’s ERP outlines all of your company contacts, utility companies and account information as well as important building information. You may ask how is SERVPRO’s ERP different than having all of this information in a file? Well let me explain. SERVPRO’s ERP compiles all important information in ONE document, which means not sifting through a stack of papers. This document is with you wherever you go! How? SERVPRO® developed the READY PLAN app so you can carry and electronic copy of your ERP with you always. As a business owner or even a manager what happens if you are on vacation and disaster strikes?? With the READY PLAN app you can email a copy of your ERP to anyone so they know who to call and what steps to take. Let’s say disaster strikes with no advance notice and you cannot get into the building to access your paper copy of the ERP! NO PROBLEM! If you have your cell phone, computer or tablet you have your ERP.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the SERVPRO® ERP, would you believe me if I told you it was FREE? SERVPRO® of Oxon Hill doesn’t just want to help you after disaster strikes, we want to make sure that you are prepared in the face of disaster. This is one of the many ways we believe in giving back to our community and making sure that businesses thrive around us!   

CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE ERP!  301.292.4447

SERVPRO's FREE Emergency Ready Profile

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

ERP

It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as fire and flood never reopen!  Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.

Are you “Ready for whatever happens?”

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood.  The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens.

The SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Profile serves as a quick reference of important building and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program.  Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company. 

By working with SERVPRO^® of Oxon Hill to develop your personalized Emergency READY Profile your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster.  SERVPRO^® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

Call Lauren at 301.753.8313 Today for a No Cost Assessment
of Your Facility!

Helping you to be “Ready for whatever happens,”

Would your business reopen after a disaster?

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

ERP

Many businesses are not prepared to respond to a man-made or natural disaster.  Statistics show that, of the businesses that close because of a disaster, at least one in four never reopens.  Small businesses are particularly at risk because they may have all of their operations concentrated in one location that is damaged or destroyed. That is why disaster planning is a critical part of every business’ operational objectives.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

• A no cost assessment of your facility.
  This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
   
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
   
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
  This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
   
• Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
  You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
   
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
  This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
   
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.
  Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."

Call 301.753.8313 today to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile!

Businesses and The Emergency Ready Plan

10/5/2017 (Permalink)

ERP

Businesses and The Emergency Ready Plan

Many businesses are not prepared to respond to a man-made or natural disaster.  Statistics show that, of the businesses that close because of a disaster, at least one in four never reopens.  Small businesses are particularly at risk because they may have all of their operations concentrated in one location that is damaged or destroyed. That is why disaster planning is a critical part of every business’ operational objectives.

To help keep small businesses “open for business,” SERVPRO®  has developed The Emergency Ready Plan (ERP), a streamlined business continuity program that gives business owners tools to better understand the risks they face; plan for how to contact key suppliers, vendors and employees; understand how to access data; and identify where to go for help after a disaster. 

ERP is an essential tool not only for business continuity but also to help identify priorities and organize essential information.  Once this initial step is done, the next focus should be on emergency preparedness and response planning—the specific actions and tasks needed to protect people and property from physical and economic damage should disaster strike, as well as those to be taken directly following a disruption to your business.  Not having a plan, or a having poorly prepared or misunderstood plan, could lead to disorganized preparation or confused response, with the possibility of harm to your employees or property.

To schedule your businesses FREE Emergency Ready Plan call (301) 753.8313.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning- maintaining carpet in a high-traffic areas

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

high-traffic areas

What steps should I take to maintain carpet in a high-traffic area on a daily basis, and to deal with spills and stains?

• It's a good idea to keep sand, grit and grass clippings off walkways outside entries to prevent inward tracking of these abrasive soils.
• Purchase a properly sized entry mat, the bigger the better.  There must be room for at least two steps to sufficiently wipe soil from feet before encountering the installed carpet. A carpet with a nylon face and vinyl back is best for moisture and oils absorption, combined with the resiliency necessary to collect a quantity of particle soil. The IICRC suggests a rental mat, since that guarantees frequent maintenance. Place entry mats on hard surfaces rather than on carpet where they can trap moisture or cause plasticizer migration.
• Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum daily, especially after major events. The sooner you collect soils from the surface, the easier it is to remove them. For most carpet, you should use an upright vacuum with brush agitation, unless your canister vacuum is particularly well designed. The wider the head, the more efficient.
• Typically, deep cleaning should be accomplished on at least a semi-annual basis, with no more than two entry and high-traffic area "rinse" cleanings between the deep cleaning. This is dependent on traffic and daily maintenance as well. At a minimum, some attention should be given to primary entry areas on a quarterly basis.
• If spots are treated immediately, most will respond with plain warm water and very little mild detergent added.
• Use high-efficiency double-lined poly-fiber collection bags. This reduces periodic maintenance such as dusting of furniture, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) filter exchange.
• Make sure the HVAC system is slightly positively pressurized as well, which means that air is going out when doors are opened, rather than being sucked in. Proper air exchange rates can be calibrated according to ASHRAE regulations for the building with a trained HVAC contractor.
• Ensure proper air filtration through the HVAC System. High-efficiency pleated filters, rather than inexpensive fiberglass filters, are recommended.

Structural drying

9/18/2017 (Permalink)

Structural drying

Structural drying is a simple concept: Remove excess moisture from wet materials that make up the structure until it reaches a reasonable approximation of a dry standard or goal. Therefore, drying wet buildings involves removing trapped moisture in building materials (e.g. drywall, dimensional lumber, concrete, etc.).

The challenges take place in deciding what the end game, or drying goal, should be so that the affected structural material dries within an acceptable range, in a reasonable time frame and takes into account budgetary restrictions.

Much attention has been lavished on drying the air; however, in the water damage restoration industry, contractors are tasked with drying wet materials that make up the structure. Problems arise when the drying process is too slow, causing water to migrate to previously unaffected materials (secondary damage) or create conditions that are favorable to microbial amplification - the result being mold growth or moisture differences that cause wood to warp or swell. Moisture plays a critical role in the stability of the indoor environment. The IICRC S500 standard is relevant to every structural remediation job because it establishes procedures that make up the industry standard of care that water remediation contractors should follow when drying wet structures.

It is important to understand, especially for water damage restoration contractors, that in a conditioned structure, drastic seasonal variations occur in moisture content of structural materials and hidden spaces or voids are almost always present in structures. This is important because drying goals must take into account the dry standard for structural materials based on moisture content at the time of the water loss and contractors must locate structural voids in order to determine if there are factors (e.g. location, vapor barriers, permeability) which will have an impact on drying. In time I expect our industry will also be measuring water activity in order to establish that a building has actually been returned to a preloss condition and be able to rule out the growth of certain classes of microorganisms. The industry is already seeing an increasing trend towards the use Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing to establish cleanliness levels.

The bulk of water in structural materials is usually held in horizontal surfaces (e.g., bottom plates, decking, subfloors and joists). Materials dry at a different rate depending on saturation levels and permeance or porosity. If the materials include dimensional lumber that has absorbed water over time, drying will be slower. Generally, the more porous the material, the more likely it will be that more moisture will have been absorbed. Evaporating moisture from wet structural materials is critical and drying should be accelerated using appropriate principles of restoration. Low vapor pressure, often created by hot dry air movement across the wet structural material surfaces, ensures that efficient drying will expedite the drying process. Care must be taken during the evaporation phase that water vapor molecules do not increase and create high relative humidity situations that create accumulation, or condensation, on structural surfaces.

There is no debating the fact that restorers today have a plethora of tools to dry wet structural materials (e.g., LGR dehumidifiers, thermal energy systems, desiccant dehumidifiers, negative and positive pressure systems, etc.). Given the competition among equipment manufacturers, testing facilities and new research, along with improvements in drying equipment, structural drying is reaching new levels of efficiency. The debate is what tool works best.

As a researcher and consultant, I became involved with the issue of drying structural materials to inhibit conditions that favor mold growth. I am struck by the large number of simple water claims that end up dealing with mold issues. Many mold issues are the result of delay in mitigating the water loss. I don’t understand why it takes so long to get a water remediation contractor out on a loss. There is nothing that would save carriers more claim dollars and homeowners more angst than for a restoration contractor to arrive at a water loss on the day the loss is discovered. Any delay in beginning the drying process increases costs and provides opportunity for microbial amplification.

Since Dr. Michael Berry wrote his book Protecting the Built Environment – Cleaning for Health, our industry has realized that we play an important role in preventing microbial amplification in buildings. Today’s contractor must not make the mistake of believing that processing a water damaged structure is simply extracting standing water and leaving air movers and dehumidifiers in the structure to dry it out. To properly dry structural materials, the contractor must understand how moisture content in structural materials is removed. Today the drying process is accomplished faster utilizing more efficient equipment than we used in the past. The older type conventional refrigerant dehumidifiers are less efficient than today’s LGR dehumidifiers. Contractors should understand that refrigerant dehumidifiers rated using AHAM conditions may not actually remove as much water as they are rated for when drying a wet structure with different conditions than those tested in a controlled test chamber (800F with 60% relative humidity for 24 hours)The key to successful structural drying is control of the drying process, including temperature of wet materials and air, humidity levels and air flow. Updating your education and modernizing your drying equipment are the way to best serve your customer. 

5 GERMIEST PLACES IN THE GYM

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

5 GERMIEST PLACES IN THE GYM

OCTOBER 28, 2013

BY JEFF HIERS

Few people give any thought to the germiest places in the gym. Ask random people what they think about gyms, and chances are, majority of the answers will be something along the lines of: “it’s where you go to get healthy and fit.” That kind of answer is actually an ideal that is promoted by health buffs, fitness instructors, and wellness gurus. Actually, a gym is really a place for exercising – for toning muscles and building cardiovascular strength. The goal, of course, is becoming healthy and staying that way.

However, a gym can also do the opposite and be a source of numerous infectious diseases. Bacteria and viruses are all around us. They float in the air that we breathe, hide in various nooks and crannies, multiply in moist places, and infect us opportunistically. The good news is, some of the germiest places in the gym can be dealt with easily and effectively.

GERMS ARE ABUNDANT IN GYMS BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

• Numerous people use the gym and its facilities – some of them may be carriers of infectious diseases. Even with membership-only gyms, there is no pre-entry screening done. It is typically assumed that anyone who enters the gym and uses it, is fit to do so.
• Moisture is plentiful in the gym – sweat that rolls off or drips from the bodies of the people exercising often accumulates and stays where they accumulated, such as equipment handles, towels, or exercise mats. Moisture leads to dampness, which is a breeding ground of germs and fungi that harbor communicable diseases.
• A typical gym is enclosed – the air that circulates inside most gyms is not fresh, because of the walls and the artificial ventilation being used. Stale air is bad for the lungs and can contain dangerous contaminants.
• Touch point interaction is heavy – this is especially true during peak hours, when clients use the equipment in quick succession. Anything that has been touched by othersis subject to suspicion. No one really knows whether equipment handle that has been touched, or a mat that touched the sweaty body of someone else is free from contamination.

THESE ARE FIVE OF THE GERMIEST PLACES IN THE GYM:

• Lockers  – dark and dank, lockers are bound to harbor persistent disease-carrying germs. Plus, locker room itself is also extensively populated with infectious agents that we cannot see with our naked eyes.
• Cardio machines – sweat, as well as saliva (from sneezing and coughing, sometimes from drooling out of exhaustion) drip from people who use cardio machines. Plus, the towels used for wiping these kinds of discharge may be placed on the handlebars.
• Exercise mats – anyone who uses a mat that has already been used a gazillions times is fair game to a concerted attack by the host of germs that silently live on these heavily shared gym materials.
• Bathrooms – floors are often left wet, with shower heads or faucets dripping; dirt is also tracked in by shoes that have been brought from outside, bodily fluids are not always contained.
• Weights (dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells) – these are among the most frequently used gym equipment which is why they rank as one of the germiest places in the gym. Fortunately, some of the larger gyms are placing sanitizing wipes at each station which helps germ reduction.

To ensure that the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation are observed, engage a professional janitorial service company to take care of your facility on a nightly basis. Then you can use your employees to spot clean the germiest places in the gym during regular hours.

A CLEAN OFFICE SETS THE TONE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

A CLEAN OFFICE SETS THE TONE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

BY JEFF HIERS

Improving employee productivity has always been a concern for many employers, especially because the quality of work that you get from your employees is usually directly related to how productive they feel. This is why companies pay a lot of attention to compensation and benefits, as well as other ways to make their employees feel important and happy. What most employers don’t realize is that it can take something as simple as making sure you have a clean office & workplace to improve productivity and set the tone for your employees.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A FUNCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT

This is not to say that compensations and benefits don’t work, but making a few changes in their work area can lead to significant improvements. The fact is, our surroundings are actually quite important in making people thrive. Whatever you’re surrounded with can actually affect how you act and how you feel. This is the same for office workers. Elements in the office can affect how people work. One particular research shows that among workspace features, there are those that stand out and actually affect employee productivity:

• Clean Office
• Decorative office
• Lighting
• Absence of noise in the office
• Close office floor plan
• Moderate room temperature and ventilation

This means that if your office is well-lit, well-ventilated, and more importantly, clean, then your employees will tend to be in a better and more productive mood. It’s as simple as that. In fact, the same research shows having all of these elements actually prevents work-related illnesses, absenteeism and employee turnover. A simple solution to complex problems! Another paper highlights that poor environmental conditions like a dirty and unorganized office can actually cause inefficiencies in worker productivity, reducing job satisfaction and even affecting the organization’s financial well-being.

A CLEAN OFFICE — LEAVING IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

Clearly, the importance of having a well-organized and clean office could not be stressed enough. And because this is of such huge importance, it needs to be a priority for business owners and managers. However, you have better things to do and you need to concentrate on running your business. By hiring a professional janitorial service company, you’re leaving the cleaning to those who actually know what they’re doing based on years and years of experience. They will also have the technology and expertise needed to ensure a clean office facility.

DIRTY RESTROOMS CAN MEAN LOST BUSINESS

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

DIRTY RESTROOMS CAN MEAN LOST BUSINESS

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

BY JEFF HIERS

When you’re trying to make your business establishment a place where customers would want to go, you have to focus on a lot of things. You have to make sure that the products you offer are topnotch. You need to have knowledgeable personnel who can deal pleasantly with customers. The ambiance of the place should be relaxing and inviting, so people can feel at ease. With your focus on so many different things, sometimes the simple need for clean and proper restrooms can get lost in the shuffle.

PEOPLE AVOID ESTABLISHMENTS WITH DIRTY RESTROOMS

A telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive revealed that just about everyone—94% to be exact—would stop returning to an establishment if they ever encounter a dirty restroom. When asked about specifics, 79% of the more than a thousand adult respondents identified hotels and restaurants as places which should have clean restrooms if they want customers to return. Another 77% would not return to healthcare facilities with dirty restrooms, and 50% thought the same of supermarkets. Sizable number of people also expected retail stores, gasoline stations, and even car dealerships to offer clean restrooms, if they wanted their customers to come back for another visit.

WHAT’S A DIRTY RESTROOM?

Some people have different definitions of what “dirty” means when it comes to restrooms. Another survey by Harris Interactive clarified this issue by conducting a survey among more than 3100 adults. About 93% would call a restroom dirty if it had sticky or grimy floors.

Other signs of dirty restrooms include:

• Toilets that have not been flushed
• Foul odor
• Trash cans filled to the brim
• Toilet paper or paper towels on the floor
• No toilet paper
• Soap dispensers are empty or outdated
• There’s water around the sink area or on the floor
• Broken doors and toilet seats
• Insufficient lighting
• Graffiti

HOW YOU CAN LOSE BUSINESS

People want clean restrooms not just because they want a pleasant experience while they’re there. In many cases, customers equate the cleanliness of the restroom to the quality of the service or product the business is offering. For example, a majority of customers believe that the cleanliness of the restroom in a restaurant is a clear indication of the cleanliness of the kitchen. If you can’t take care of your restroom, the reasoning goes, then you can’t be expected to take care of the rest of your business.

It’s not just the fact that a customer won’t return that causes you to lose business. You also lose any potential referrals. And with social networking sites like Facebook these days, the word can spread about your dirty restrooms like wildfire.

Keeping your business restroom clean and nice can’t be just an afterthought or a bonus service. It’s an essential part of doing business if you’re serious about success because dirty restrooms and most definitely mean lost business.

CARPET CLEANING TIPS

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

CARPET CLEANING TIPS

MARCH 29, 2012

BY JEFF HIERS

Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the life of the carpet — which can amount to substantial financial savings. Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or residence are dry.  The remaining 20% are greases, oils, and starches.  The dry soil types are easily removed by vacuuming.  And, the more often they are removed, the less damage to the carpets. But, vacuuming alone isn’t enough. These carpet cleaning tips will help to identify the most important steps you can take in caring for your carpets.

4 CARPET CLEANING TIPS

CARPET CLEANING TIP 1

Carpets should be thoroughly vacuumed at least once per week. In most commercial buildings, the traffic areas are vacuumed at each service with a detailed vacuum during one of those service days. High quality vacuums are the best choice and using one with a HEPA filter is especially good for improving the air quality in your home or office.

CARPET CLEANING TIP 2

The 2nd of our carpet cleaning tips is to keep your eye out for spills and take care of them quickly.  For most liquids, you can fold a cloth or stack of paper towels, place over the spill, then step on the towel using your body weight to help adsorb the liquid. If this doesn’t remove the spill, pour a small amount of water on the area then follow the same process. In most instances, this will remove the majority of the residue from the spill. There are also numerous products that can be used to spot treat carpets. By taking immediate action you can prevent spills from becoming stains that leave you with a dirty and messy carpet.

CARPET CLEANING TIP 3

Make sure that you have the carpets cleaned as often as it is needed.  Based on the type of carpet and the facility, either a dry-chemical or extraction method will be used. Normally, a thorough carpet cleaning is needed every 6-12 months depending on traffic patterns.

CARPET CLEANING TIP 4

The easiest of our carpet cleaning tips is the proper use of walk-off mats since this will help to keep most of the tracked soils off the surface of the carpet.  You should use walk-off mats at all entrance doors — and place them both inside and outside if possible. At home, you can also take off your shoes prior to entering your home or have a special set of shelves by the door to store shoes.

BENEFITS OF KEEPING CARPETS CLEAN

Using these carpet cleaning tips to keep carpets clean will add value to the building or residence.  It will also help to keep the facility free from odors and pathogens.  And finally, it will help to make a comfortable environment for guests, occupants, and/or employees.