What The Experts Say About Commercial Garage Cleaning Services
Parking garages play a vital element in the positioning of a brand and business.
Experienced managers put a lot of effort into positive customer experience and interaction – and the parking spot is one of the first points of contact between your business and clients.
Parking lots and garages have a significant impact on how customers view the business, trustworthiness, quality of service, cleanliness, professionalism, and attention to detail.
What do you need to know about Commercial Garage Cleaning Services?
Our experts will explain and answer all your questions and more in the post below.
Who Are These Commercial Cleaning Service Firms?
Commercial parking garage services are often overlooked during building maintenance, an error made by many business owners.
These spaces require consistent professional care, the same way as the foyer or the exterior of a building. This allows for a positive first impression on guests, employees, customers, and tenants.
Professional providers have all the necessary equipment and tools to perform a good job. For instance, they have the right equipment for power washing in which both degreasers and detergents are combined to effectively remove grime, dust, and stains.
Sweeping and power scrubbing are part of commercial garage cleaning services as well.
You can employ the services of a full-boutique commercial cleaner that offers day porters. This can ensure that your parking structure remains in good condition throughout.
Porters can change out trash can liners, report vandalism, and greet patrons. Most commercial cleaners have a light maintenance team as well. If it is part of the contract, they can take care of tasks, such as:
- painting projects
- drywall
- light electrical
- bulb replacement
- light plumbing
- general handyman services
- Striping
- ADA signage
Why Choose a Commercial Cleaning Service?
You may not have parking garage cleaning at your commercial property on top of the priority cleaning list.
But have you ever thought about which area of your property makes the initial impression on guests and potential tenants? The parking garage is commonly disregarded by property managers and commercial real estate owners as the first impression.
This is why you should reconsider your priorities.
A parking garage can be on the verge of dangerous conditions, damages, trash pileups, and major stains with oil.
Dirty parking garages promote a negative image and also become a liability with potential hazards.
These are a few reasons why you should consider hiring the experts:
1. Impressions Count
Your parking garage plays a large role in shaping the overall brand image. You don’t want to trust something this important in the hands of amateurs.
Professional cleaners have the knowledge and technical know-how to make an area spotless in a smooth, easy, quick, and cost-effective manner.
Parking garages are generally cleaned every 6 months. If you haven’t done a good job while cleaning it, you may need to have it cleaned against in, say 3 months. This can become cost-intensive for you. You can reap more benefits by hiring experts who know how to get the best results at a minimum expense.
2. Take Care of Rodents and Pests
Garage parking should be pressure washed and deep cleaned every 6 months. However, you should have a night janitorial service or a day porter maintenance service to take care of garbage and any contaminants. Unkept and dirty parking garages are a breeding ground for pests and rodents. This is particularly true for rats.
Allowing rodents to nest on your property is a certain way of scaring customers and negatively impacting the bottom line. It is very difficult to get rid of rodents once they establish their territory. They start chewing through drywall and other building materials.
You might not be able to pass your next inspection depending on the type of establishment. Raccoons, rodents, insects, and stray cats are a health violation.
3. Extend Parking Lot Lifespan
Professional cleaners are aware of the right kind of chemicals and techniques to use. They can extend the lifespan of your parking lot.
For instance, standing water pools can cause concrete and asphalt surfaces to deteriorate. Cracks can form when water seeps through the material and solidifies into ice. Cracks can quickly lead to potholes if they are not taken care of early.
The same holds for debris that builds up over time. Dirt can cause pre-mature deterioration by being abrasive. This is not something that can be taken care of by an in-house cleaning crew.
You need top experts with the right equipment to take care of it.
4. Save Time and Resource
Some parking garage owners may choose to put off cleaning their garages to save money. But this actually will lead to even more money and resources spent in the long run.
The garage materials deteriorate, and the leading causes are plenty: from water infiltration to oil leaks, low temperatures, grime, mold, and rodents.
Leaving these issues unattended will only lead to high costs trying to fix the damage done.
Owners should weigh the benefits of parking garage cleaning against the risks of neglecting routine maintenance.
Trained and equipped experts can complete the process quickly and neatly. You need to limit the wear and tear in your commercial parking garage, or it may require investment in other, more expensive forms.
5. Better Employee and Client Health
When considering having your garage or parking lot professionally cleaned, safety should be your top priority. Many chemicals and fluids are left behind by heavy traffic, posing a considerable safety danger. If a customer slips on an oil spill or fluids from a faulty car, you can be held liable for the damages caused.
This is not the only risk associated.
Underground parking garages or poorly ventilated garages can be a haven for bacteria, viruses, and other germs. You can maintain the good health of your employees and clients by hiring top commercial services.
Health can also be affected by mold and moisture. People with sensitive allergies are hit the worst. But, others may also end up with lethargy, headaches, and other illnesses.
You can show the stakeholders in your building that you care about their health by bringing in professional cleaners.
How Often Should My Garage Be Serviced?
A parking garage means that thousands of people are entrusting their cars to your property. It doesn’t matter whether you have been in business for a long time, or are fairly new, you need to provide people with a clean, tidy, and safe parking area.
A lot of facility managers wonder whether their parking garage maintenance is up to standards. The fact is that in most cases it is not.
You should ideally have your parking garage pressure or power washed every six months. By doing so, you will ensure that the walls and flooring are not covered in stains, dust, or grime. This is a general rule of thumb for preventing debris from embedding in the concrete. However, you should not forget to have your garage cleaned every other month to preserve its structure and finishes.
You can also consider contracting a day porter or night janitor for keeping the parking garage free from dust. Their services make the area presentable and safe for visitors and employees.
Consider The Size and Frequency Of The Project
You should get in touch with an excellent service provider to understand the frequency required at your establishment, but generally, bi-annual cleaning is a standard rule of thumb.
The kind of traffic you receive and the size of the parking garage play an important role in determining the frequency of cleaning required.
Daily measures are the best way to keep your parking garage clean and presentable. You should get cleaning professionals to pick up trash and remove litter.
What Garage Cleaning Services Include?
Garage cleaning service is not an optional service for facility managers and building owners who care about their guests and how they feel on the premises.
Garages can quickly become a pool of debris if it is not taken care of. You may notice a decrease in people visiting the building since the majority doesn’t want to spend time or money inside an establishment that doesn’t look presentable on the outside.
These are a few services that are included in routine garage cleaning:
- Cleaning and dusting of all overhead pipes.
- De-greasing oil stains and pre-treating all other stains.
- Pressure cleaning columns, walls, and floors.
- Detailing mirrors and handrails.
- Sweeping, scrubbing, and vacuuming residue.
The Cleaning Process
It is good for the brand image when you keep the parking lots clean, as it is a major decision-making factor when it comes to customers.
The good part is that businesses that take steps to keep their parking garage clean and maintained convey that the atmosphere is both safe and welcoming.
These are a few general steps performed during parking garage cleaning:
Removal of Dirt and Debris
The first step is to pick up trash and sweep away leftover waste. You can drastically change the appearance of your parking lot by performing this simple task. This also makes it easier to spot cracks and potholes and to clean the surface of the asphalt.
You should have someone clean trash regularly to keep the parking garage free from litter. This also deters others from littering.
Removing Surface Stains
Asphalt stains are something that cannot be avoided. Mildew can be caused by leaves and other debris that holds moisture. Mold can be caused by standing water. Vehicles also leak oil and other kinds of fluids, which may cause other forms of damaging spots. Even discarded food and drinks can make asphalt look very unattractive.
When stains are left for long on asphalt, they become harder to clean. This is one of the reasons why you should have your parking lot maintained regularly. Using chemicals and cleaning solutions is vital. You should research effective and safe cleaning products that won’t damage your parking lot.
Pressure Washing and Power Scrubbing
The next step after removing stains is to use pressure washing and power scrubbing on the entire parking lot. Your commercial cleaners have all the necessary equipment to get this step done. It is an effective way of cleaning dirty parking garages without wasting too much time.
The specialists use hot water and an appropriate cleaning solution for removing grime, dust, and any remaining stains from the entire parking space. All types of residues can be efficiently removed by using a power washer. A power scrubber may be used for ensuring that no debris or dirt clings to the asphalt.
These are the most common steps performed by most professional cleaners.
The following are a few additional services that you can have a commercial garage cleaner perform:
Filling Potholes and Cracks
Varying temperatures and water exposure can leave asphalt or concrete with cracks. These can later become potholes over some time with regular friction by car tires. Such issues are prone to go from bad to worse if you leave them unresolved for a long time.
The only way to fix them if you let the time go by without taking any action is by redoing the entire parking lot.
This is why it’s essential to fix potholes and cracks when they occur. You’ll eliminate the issue quickly and save money in the long run.
Sealcoat
Sealcoat is what keeps the asphalt looking new, even when some time has passed, and offers an extra layer of protection.
You don’t need a seal coat to be applied after every cleaning. Every two years is an ideal timeline to protect your parking garage from chemicals and other corrosive elements, such as salts and oil.
The Benefits Of Keeping your Parking Garage Clean
Well-maintained parking garages will make a good first impression. They are also safe for pedestrians and cars since cracks and potholes are no longer a problem.
What other benefits will a clean parking garage bring you?
1. Retain Property Value
Anything that increases the overall business income is a benefit to you. Customers tend to spend more money when it comes to businesses that are clean, approachable, and safe. You can offer the best to your customers by keeping up with parking lot maintenance.
For example, you can prevent sewer blockage and erosion if you regularly have dirt and debris removed from the parking garage.
You can also reduce pollution from stormwater runoff which can increase the life of the pavement material. All of these steps will help in increasing the life of your parking garage and in turn your property.
2. Keep Visitors Happy
The parking garage is an important area in your building that can be easily overlooked. You need to provide visitors with a clean and safe environment if you want them to value your business.
Further, when you respect your place of business, it encourages others to do the same. Customers are not very likely to litter in clean and well-kept places.
3. Create a Good Impression
All companies need to have good curb appeal. If more consumers choose to park on your premise, the money spent on its aesthetics is well worth it.
Clients who are on a subscription program or who are regular customers may suggest coworkers, friends, or family to the garage.
Customers will feel more comfortable in a clean and well-lit parking garage, which will satisfy your investors and customers.
4. Maintaining Public Safety
The safety of visitors, customers, and guests is highly important for any business. You should have your parking garage cleaned and swept for reducing the chance of pedestrian or vehicular accidents.
Allowing debris or mess to accumulate can result in slip and fall accidents. Garage cleanout ensures there is no unwanted clutter that may cause cars to skid.
The safety of customers is the foremost priority of facility managers. Single items, such as gum, screws, or cobwebs can become a space for contaminants.
You can easily avoid accidents by hiring professional garage cleaning services.
5. Minimizing Pollution
You can reduce pollution by preventing littering. Clean surrounding areas deter people from littering. People won’t toss garbage or unwanted junk in your parking lot or garage if it looks tidy.
You should also consider installing more recycling and garbage bins. Waste or debris that accumulates in a parking lot is seldom biodegradable. It is hazardous for wildlife and birds as well.
The Right Professional Garage Cleaning Service
You must find a professional garage cleaner that does a good job.
However, it can be difficult to find the right professional garage cleaning service if you have never had the service performed before.
These are a few indicators that you should look out for that will let you whether you have found the right contractor or not.
1. Quality Of Work And Attention To Detail
There are areas that we all tend to ignore or overlook. There are also some spots that we are unsure how to clean, such as ceiling pipes and hard-to-reach areas.
When it comes to cleaning your business, garage commercial cleaning companies will not cut corners.
Experienced cleaners, after all, are trained and certified to give the best cleaning services available.
It’s also worth noting that cleaners have exceptional attention to detail are well-versed and know where to look for contaminants.
It’s also worth noting that the degree of quality is determined not only by someone’s attention to detail but also by the quality of the product utilized and the experience in the field.
This is why a company backed up by experience and a portfolio of satisfied clients is your best option.
2. Professional and Experienced
Commercial cleaning is best left to experts.
Many facility managers hire amateurs at dirt-cheap rates only to find that their property is not as clean as promised. You can prevent a lot of trouble down the line by hiring experienced contractors.
The staff should be polite, courteous, and willing to listen to your concerns. Also, ask for past customer testimonials to see how well they perform.
3. Insurance
Proper licensing, insurance and certifications are important in every business.
You need to make sure the commercial cleaners have adequate liability insurance and workers’ compensation. This will protect you in case of any incidents.
Depending on the kind of establishment you have, you may be required by the law to ensure that your contractors have all their paperwork in order.
You should ask the commercial parking garage service providers to show you their paperwork before signing the contract.
4. Frequency of Cleaning
Experts know that a high-traffic parking garage needs, for example, to be deep cleaned every 3 – 6 months depending on individual circumstances.
It is best to work with a company that offers a full range of services, including porters and janitors. This way you can ensure that your parking garage is swept and kept trash-free daily.
5. Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products
If you are a business that wants to reduce its carbon footprint, then this can help.
Companies that use green and sustainable products help keep the environment pollution-free. They also ensure that no toxic gases, chemicals, or allergens affect the health of your employees and visitors.
6. Other Indicators
You should always work with a contractor that has prior experience in your industry. They must have been cleaning garages in your area or for other businesses in your industry.
They should respond to your call promptly and quote clear, fair prices. They should also have a transparent pricing schedule.
Skilled parking garage cleaners maintain a portfolio of before and after pictures of commercial projects. You can be sure of the quality of service by looking at these images.
Experts Parking Garage Cleaners are Just a Call Away
We, the team at Servi-Tek specialize in a wide range of services for industrial and commercial properties. We use proven cleaning methods and the best equipment available to get the job done.
We work with top-trained professionals, with the needed experience to get the job done.
To learn more about our services and get a free estimate, give us a call or use our online form.