Office Cleaning Tips for Better Building Maintenance
The best way to keep your commercial building in tip-top shape is to address any maintenance issues quickly to prevent bigger problems from occurring. If you establish good communication with your cleaning staff, creating a stronger building maintenance strategy can be easier than you might think.
First, develop your office building maintenance checklist and have it ready for easy reference. Then, schedule a meeting with your janitorial staff to explain your maintenance strategy and protocols. If your cleaning staff understands your maintenance priorities, they’ll be better equipped to alert you to potential issues.
Many of the biggest building maintenance risks can be identified by asking your cleaning staff a few key questions. After each visit, ask your office cleaning crew these four questions from the experts at ServiceMaster Clean to find out if they noticed any threats to your facility.
4 Questions to Catch Building Maintenance Issues:
Have you seen any signs of pests?
Critters tend to leave a trail of evidence. Ask your cleaning crew to report any sightings of bugs and rodent droppings. Remember, where there’s one pest, there are usually more, and they’re all coming from somewhere. Call an exterminator at the first sign of pests. After the area has been treated, sanitize all surfaces to remove any bacteria the vermin may have left behind and be extra vigilant to prevent reoccurrence.
Did you notice any water damage?
It’s critical to catch, treat and stop water damage early to prevent flooding and dangerous mold growth. Regularly checking on vulnerable areas for signs of water damage could save you lots of hassle and keep your monthly water bill down – not to mention the money you’ll save on any costly repairs caused by not catching the problem early.
Make sure your office cleaning crew knows to look for and tell you about:
- Pooling water on the roof
- Clogged gutters or drains
- Water stains on walls or ceilings
- Leaks in plumbing and appliances, including faucets, sinks and toilets
- Malfunctioning sump pumps, sewage pumps, water lines or pipes
Have you found any electrical issues?
Reducing your risk for fires and electrical hazards can be as simple as keeping an eye out around the property. Ask your cleaning service providers to clean and inspect your outlets, panels and circuits once a month and alert you to any signs of damage or malfunctioning equipment. Someone on your staff should flip all your light switches and test any appliances plugged into outlets once a season, as well. Any frayed wires and damaged cords should be addressed immediately.
For more peace of mind, call an electrician once or twice a year to inspect the property and make sure your office’s electrical system and components are all functioning properly. Getting a professional opinion can also help you discover any inefficiencies or other issues that may be costing you money or causing frustration, even if they aren’t necessarily a safety risk.
Are there carpet or upholstery stains you can’t remove?
While not always physically dangerous, unsightly stains or damage to your facility can be bad for business and morale. A poorly maintained building gives the impression that you don’t care about your space to tenants, employees and customers alike. If your usual office cleaning service is unable to remove tough spots, call an experienced team from ServiceMaster Clean to get the job done with superior results.
Check out our blog post 7 Property Management Tips & Tricks for Success for even more ways to effectively manage your commercial building’s maintenance and cleaning needs
