Business owners and property managers need to make sure the exterior of their facility is well-maintained year round. Pressure washing should be an integral part of your maintenance plan, but it is often overlooked. This is where your Facility Solutions Manager (FSM) can step in and make sure essential services such as pressure washing are scheduled, on time, and completed by qualified professionals to your satisfaction.
Pressure washing your exterior will boost curb appeal and make your building attractive to employees, tenants, and customers. It will also prevent costly repairs by removing harmful chemicals and materials from sidewalks, parking surfaces, windows, and awnings. Below we discuss the areas of your building that are often overlooked when pressure washing.
The benefits of pressure washing
Pressure washing is beneficial to your building in a number of ways. The obvious one is it boosts curb appeal by removing buildup on sidewalks, parking lots, and other exterior surfaces. Pressure washing also shows prospective tenants and customers you are serious about facility maintenance.
Pressure washing can help prevent accidents outside your building by removing substances like oil that can cause slipping. It also removes many substances from windows, concrete, and asphalt that are corrosive and can weaken the materials and thereby cause costly repairs.
Some substances pressure washing removes are:
- Mold
- Rust
- Dust
- Mildew
- Oil
- Grease
- Graffiti
- Gum
- Mud
Mold and mildew are especially destructive to surfaces and pose a health risk to your employees. Pressure washing removes these elements and prevents their formation in the future.
Overlooked areas when pressure washing
Parking structures and parking surfaces
Cars emit and leak harmful substances that can buildup in and around your parking structures. Pooling oil and grease is hazardous to pedestrians because they pose a slipping risk. These substances are also corrosive and will weaken or damage concrete and asphalt over time.
It is important to remember to pressure wash the exterior of your parking structure and your parking surfaces in order to improve their aesthetic and prevent costly resurfacing. Pressure washing can help prevent cracking, erosion, potholes, and other deficiencies in asphalt from forming.
Sidewalks and pathways
Building managers and owners should want their sidewalks and pathways to be as inviting – and safe – as possible. Regular pressure washing will make these areas pop and stand out as clients pull into your facility and walk to the entrance of your building.
Clean pathways and sidewalks will establish a great first impression of your facility in the minds of your customers. Having these areas regularly pressure washed will keep these areas looking pristine and will show potential tenants and customers your facility is well maintained, and you operate with their safety in mind.
Awnings and overhangs
The fabric that makes up awnings is particularly susceptible to mold and mildew. Have your awnings and overhangs pressure washed to prevent and remove mold and mildew. This will also decrease fading and prevent tearing in your awning fabric due to dirt and grime buildup.
Courtyards and outdoor seating areas
The health and well-being of building occupants has received significantly more attention the past few years, and outside seating areas are no exception. Encourage your employees to have lunch outside and hold meetings in the sunshine because it boosts morale and general health. One way to accommodate this is to provide a clean and inviting courtyard area. Regular pressure washing will keep your courtyard clean and free of the buildup of mold, dirt, and debris.
City Wide will provide you with a customized cleaning solution for your facility. We have an office near you! Contact us today and receive a free estimate!
