Topic: Office Cleaning

Commercial Cleaning Services 2017

Posted on June 13, 2017 by - Office Cleaning

VENETIAN AND VERTICAL BLIND CLEANING

In commercial office cleaning, Venetian and Vertical Blind Cleaning is a necessity and generally part of our cleaning quote.  Every client will notice that coffee spill on their carpet but not necessarily the dust on their blinds, it is most often noticed when the sun’s blinding glare affects an employee’s vision or when summer’s heat hits the office windows and office workers go to adjust the blinds.  But it is essential to clean blinds on a regular basis, keeping blinds free of dust will help reduce the symptoms of asthma, of those who suffer from allergies and largely make breathing much easier for all.

It is important to set up a systematic cleaning schedule as blinds, whether they be vinyl, wood or metal, are dust magnets.  The dust settles along the blades and on the cords and even into the blind valances.  State Building Maintenance Limited suggests that as and integral part of your cleaning program that blinds be cleaned every three months. Some of our customers leave it as a “on demand call” in their quote as they may need it less often or at certain times of the year a blind cleaning every month, especially if their business is frequented by high traffic or there are many shredders in constant use.  The owner of an office building, condominium, townhouse etc. may call in a blind cleaning request as part of a move-in clean along with window cleaning, floor cleaning, carpet cleaning or a general full in-depth clean-up before it is shown to prospective tenants. It is also a good time, when blind cleaning, to vacuum and wipe down all intake vents and all air conditioning vents.

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING  – DRAPERY CLEANING

With our long days of summer and now much sun streaming in our windows we can’t avoid seeing the grime and stains that have happened over the winter months to all our soft materials. The cleaning process of soft materials requires specialized cleaning solutions that will break up stains and grime.  As most fabrics are delicate and to protect the fragility of your material, chairs and sofas are lightly sprayed with the appropriate solution, the solution extracted to remove grime and moisture and in addition we gently hand clean with a soft cloth if needed.  In most cases drapery is sent out to be cleaned but as dust easily nestles into drapery folds we recommend that an “every three-month drapery vacuuming” be put into your cleaning program.

CARPET CLEANING

Just a reminder from State Building Maintenance Limited that if you have not already requested a spring carpet cleaning now would be the time to book an appointment for a general assessment, quote and a cleaning.  Summer in Ontario can be hot, wet and humid, especially the months of July and August, and not always the best time to add more moisture into your office air.  We handle carpet cleaning all throughout the year but spring, fall and even winter are the preferred times for comfort reasons. But if you do need that forgotten spring carpet cleaning job, no matter the weather, we are always on the job, but during the summer months it is advisable to book your carpet cleaning for a Friday night or on a Saturday so there is more time for the moisture to dissipate.  To help this along we bring in and leave air movers until the carpet is dry.  If you prefer not to deal with a steam cleaning we can offer Rotary Carpet Cleaning.  Rotary carpet cleaning works with specific dryer cleaning solutions, that when used with a scrubber draws dirt to the surface of the carpet, that dirt is then vacuumed up with an industrial strength vacuum. By using this method, it will normally take one to two hours to dry your carpets.

WALKWAY CLEANING

A client’s first sighting of your building should be welcoming.   In summer, garbage can’t be hidden, as it often is by winter snows.  As part of your daily cleaning program, your walkways should be swept of debris, gum splotches should be scraped away and garbage bins should be emptied, wiped down and relined. By law cigarette smoking in not permitted within 9 meters of entrances and exits so ash and cigarette butt receptacles should be placed that distance away to discourage littering.  These containers also need to be emptied and cleaned on a daily basis. If greenery overhangs the walkway and interferes with foot traffic, shrubbery should be trimmed.  If your office is part of building complex your building manager should be requesting these cleans as part of our quote.

State Building Maintenance Limited, fully insured and bonded, is a full service commercial cleaning company, providing services to offices, manufacturers, warehouses, retail stores, condominiums plus many other faculties.  We also sell and deliver all consumable products, offering full Janitorial Services, WE DO IT ALL.  So please call us for a free quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

Pre-Cleans

Posted on May 30, 2017 by - Office Cleaning

REAL ESTATE – HOMEOWNER PRE-CLEANS  

State Building Maintenance Limited understands, for both the Realtor and Homeowner, the importance of a detailed cleaning of your house/condo before your For-Sale sign goes up and you hold that first Open House.  It is our job to reduce your stress before you showcase your home.  Every prospective buyer begins by looking at the big pictures then starts taking in the details.  Marked flooring and walls, moldy bathrooms, greasy stoves etc. can be a deterrent to prospective buyers. Our cleaning company never wants to see that happen so our highly-trained crews will put our years of experience to work for you and make sure that your home is inviting to all potential buyers.

We understand that all sellers cannot invest in re-landscaping their property before an Open House but there is much you can do to enhance your CURB APPEAL.  A buyer should see

  • a neatly cut and trimmed lawn
  • weeds pulled from a garden bed
  • dead shrubs/plants removed
  • spot free windows
  • a washed down front porch, sidewalk and driveway
  • sparkling outdoor lights
  • garbage bins removed from the buyer’s sightline, preferably stored in a garage
  • if you have interlock make sure that these pavers are level so no one trips over protruding pavers and if there is any oil staining give those pavers a wash with a degreaser
  • add an entrance mat and to add a cozy look to a front porch put out a comfy chair with an attractive pillow
  • if you are planning on putting out an urn full of flowers do not place it to close to the door so it will not draw bees
  • in winter months, snow must be removed from the driveway, walkways, porches and balconies
  • for ice build-up, we can supply and spread de-icers

On the OUTSIDE, State Building Maintenance Limited begins with

  • cleaning all the entrance doors and door frames, inside and out, and the side lights
  • all windows and window frames
  • all outdoor lights
  • the front and side garage door, often overlooked

In the KITCHEN, we start with

  • washing the ceiling, the walls, the decorative molding, light fixtures, the fan, plus the cupboards, inside and out, as they may have become greasy overtime
  • we clean the fridge, including bar fridges, the stove, the range hood and the microwave, inside and out, including the range hood filters
  • if you have a self-cleaning oven it may require two days of work as it needs to cool down before the inside ash is removed
  • we use a specialized cleaner on all stainless steel
  • we clean the counters, taking into account the varied materials that are now being used such as marble, granite, quartz, Corian, laminates etc. as all require different cleaning methods
  • the sinks and taps will be cleaned and wiped down with a soft cloth to bring up their shine
  • the table and chairs are cleaned if left in the kitchen
  • we scrub/clean the floors and kick plates and depending on the type of flooring we may put down the appropriate sealer if the customer wishes

In the WASHROOMS, we

  • clean walls, wall tiles, doors, trim, switch plates and lighting
  • clean, disinfect and deodorize the shower stall, tub, toilet and bidet
  • the counters, sinks and taps are cleaned and disinfected
  • the cabinets are wiped down, inside and out, as there can be residue on the shelves from lotions etc.
  • the mirrors are washed and left gleaming
  • if there is mold, most noticeable around the tub surround, we will use the correct solution to tackle the job
  • the floors are cleaned and disinfected

Throughout all the FINISHED LEVELS of the house

  • the windows, trim, sills and tracks are cleaned
  • the walls, doors, trim and baseboards are wiped down or washed
  • the lighting is cleaned and cobwebs removed on all floors
  • California shutters and verticals are dusted and washed if necessary
  • the fireplace and the surround are cleaned

FLOORING

Flooring, be it marble, terrazzo, porcelain tiles, vinyl, carpeting, hardwood or laminate, all require a different approach.  With the hard elements, depending what the customer requires, State Building Maintenance Limited will clean/refinish your flooring with the appropriate solution and/or sealer.  All this will be discussed with the seller.

With CARPETS, we first

  • thoroughly vacuum the carpets
  • then spot clean any stains, especially pet urine stains as they require a specific solution to break up the stain and deal with the smell
  • we use a variety of spot cleaners for different chemical stains such as coffee spills, grease spots
  • we will then steam clean and/or rotary clean your carpet depending on how heavily soiled it is and your time frame as steam cleaning requires more drying time than rotary cleaning
  • we will add an anti-browning agent plus deodorizer
  • we can bring in commercial dryers to speed up the drying process

We take care of pet stains and smells in carpets, smoke stained walls etc., but smoking can also leave strong odors in drapes and sheers so we suggest that if they are to be left up during an open house that they be sent out to be professionally cleaned and if the owner’s soft material sofas are also being left for an open house we recommend that they either be professionally cleaned or sprayed with an odor neutralizing solution.  Strong or musty odors can be a major deterrent to a buyer.

We also

  • dust furniture if the house is staged
  • remove cobwebs in the unfinished basement
  • sweep and/or damp wipe the floor of an unfinished basement
  • make sure the laundry tub is as clean as possible, depending on how it was used
  • sweep and/or blow the dust from inside the garage
  • check to make sure all the lights are in working order
  • rinse outdoor furniture

State Building Maintenance Limited 

  • will continue to offer our services throughout the selling process if touch-ups are required

HINTS

As most people are offended by strong smells we suggest opening windows for a brief time just before an open house but nothing smells as fresh as CLEAN.

If you would like to add a fresh fragrance we suggest a very light lemon scent that says summer, nothing overwhelming or obvious.  A buyer may then see himself sitting in the backyard or out on a condo balcony sipping a refreshing lemonade drink and wouldn’t that be a good thing?

A bouquet of fresh flowers is a lovely touch but remember to select a flower without a strong scent and make sure the water is changed daily or buy an top quality, silk arrangement.

Declutter, de-clutter and we can not say that enough, de-clutter and that applies to closets because buyers want to see space.

Take away little bits and personal pictures if they fill a wall and possibly purchase a large, inexpensive, modern frameless print of the kind your realtor suggests.

So many homes are now open concept but if your home is not, create that look by removing unnecessary furniture so buyers get that wide-open feeling.

State Building Maintenance Limited does it all, we have even climbed our ladders and carefully cleaned your exquisite, crystal chandelier.  We understand, being homeowners ourselves, what is needed to create that rush of excitement for the buyer, that positive first impression, thus ensuring many offers.  We are a full-service cleaning and janitorial company, in business since 1963, so please call us for a no obligation quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

 

 

 

OUR HIRING PRACTICES

Posted on May 23, 2017 by - Industrial Cleaning, Office Cleaning

State Building Maintenance 

OUR HIRING PRACTICES
State Building Maintenance Limited incorporates a set of standards and protections when hiring our cleaning staff such that our customers can be confident that all our staff are professionally trained in the latest janitorial cleaning methods and tools by our company. Newly hired janitors that may come to us from another Toronto cleaning company often feel that they have the knowledge to immediately handle a new job but we re-teach as we have a proven track record of effective business and home cleaning methods.  Our loyal and satisfied customers will attest to our first-rate processes and professionalism.So initially when a new janitor comes to us we work along with them for several nights, teaching and changing, if necessary, their previous cleaning methods.  We instruct them on the correct usage of cleaning solutions, our system of restocking and date stamping supplies, the technique, and there is a technique, on working with our cleaning equipment, and something as simple but important, on which lights need to be left on/off when leaving an office. Our supervisors will also do on the spot checks and they are always on call to handle further questions from our employees or lend a hand. Our employees are also instructed to call us immediately if they come upon any problems such as plumbing etc. They must also notify us in advance when our company needs to bring in additional cleaning supplies. We retrain when introducing new janitorial equipment and solutions.

Our customers place great trust in us to care for their place of business, be it a Toronto office or factory, it is our responsibility to put an inordinate emphasis on protecting their premises, so State Building Maintenance Limited teach our cleaners on the proper procedure of opening and closing an office/ building, most often working with alarm systems. Only when we are completely satisfied with their working knowledge do we turn over the keys.

When a Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Mississauga cleaning company sub-contracts, and many do, they do not necessarily know the quality of work or the character of the company they are hiring, they may not have had the proper training so may not perform as expected.  Our janitorial company has the expertise to tackle the many jobs required in commercial and janitorial cleaning, be it for general offices, industrial, condominium or retail cleaning, so STATE BUILDING MAINTENANCE LIMITED DOES NOT SUB-CONTRACT.

It is also of the utmost importance that our commercial and janitorial cleaning services company protect our invaluable full and part-time employees, some of whom have worked with us until they have retired.  State Building Maintenance Limited is registered with WSIB, the Workplace Safety Insurance Board that states it “administers compensation and no-fault insurance for Ontario workplaces”.  This insurance gives peace of mind to our cleaners as it provides lost wages to employees injured on the job and added protection to the company they work for.

To further protect our janitorial staff, we supply them with PPE, personal protection equipment.  How they are protected and what they are supplied with depends on the facility and area they are working in. For general commercial cleaning, they are supplied with gloves and masks and easy to use portable carts for less strain when gathering garbage.  For industrial, manufacturing or warehouse jobs, in addition, we also provide our staff with safety glasses, hard-toed work shoes and safety vests and at times they must wear hard hats.

We are also certified members of WHMIS, the Workplace Hazardous Material Information Systems. This is a government course we have taken to ensure the health and safety of our employees and the companies we work for. Our suppliers must classify all their products according to hazard and label all solutions as to their use along with warning labels.  They must also make available Material Safety Data Sheets, MSDS, on all products we order. These sheets are put into the Janitor Supply Room so in the event of an emergency the MSDS will be provided to a Doctor. We also provide these information sheets to our customers so they have data on each product that we regularly use. We also spend additional time to make sure that our employees, whose first language is not English, can understand signage and follow through on our rules when working with solutions and equipment.

To give further assurance to our clients we are bonded and insured.  In a cleaning business, a bond represents a form of insurance that protects against theft and damage.  State Building Maintenance Limited carries Liability Insurance, a Dishonesty Bond and Key Loss Insurance so as to remain dependable in the eyes of our customers. State Building Maintenance Limited, proudly serving our customers since 1963, is here to stay and WE DO IT ALL, so please check out our Janitorial page as to all the services that we can offer your company.

To find out more about our Janitorial Services please call us for a free quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

Janitorial Services Toronto & Vaughan

Office Cleaning Services and Allergies

Posted on May 15, 2017 by - Office Cleaning

HOW STATE BUILDING MAINTENANCE LIMITED CAN REDUCE THE MISERY OF THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM SPRING ALLERGIES

Office Cleaning Services for Allergies in Commercial, Manufacturing, Condominium and Retail Spaces

The weather may have warmed and staff can now be seen sitting outside during their lunch break, but for some of us at this time of year spring brings nothing but sneezes, itchy eyes, coughs and a general malaise. For all those who suffer from spring allergies the culprit is pollen and in the spring one of the first known offenders are our trees, followed by grasses. Pollen, miniscule particles, released from our trees and carried by the wind, are then brought into our workplace by adhering to our clothes and our footwear and unfortunately end up in our noses to bring on the achoos, with allergy sufferers feeling miserable.

You may glean much information from your Dr. on how to handle spring allergies and he may also recommend medications, both off the shelf and on prescription, and on the internet there is much household cleaning advice for allergy sufferers. But in general, business owners may not know what EXTRA OFFICE CLEANING PROCEDURES can be performed by State Building Maintenance Limited to alleviate some of your employees’ suffering. Some of these measures are often part of our regular cleaning program, frequently on a three-month basis, but others are on “as the customer requests”.

We all know how ill we feel when we are stricken with a cold that lasts about two weeks and how it affects our productivity but with allergy sufferers the suffering is ongoing, so it is easily understandable that anything State Building Maintenance Limited can do to remove pollen and its nasty effects will increase your employee’s productivity. So what can State Building Maintenance Limited do to help in these situations you may wonder?  We will put down entrance mats, that can be purchased from our company, these mats will help sluff off some of the pollen that has stuck to staff and customers’ footwear.  At this time of year we recommend an entrance mat that has a rougher texture to facilitate pollen removal. These mats should be vacuumed nightly.   If your business has a separate area for jackets and it is not a wardrobe policy to wear dress jackets, place your jackets away from your workstation.  Every little effort will be appreciated by allergy sufferers. Keeping a box of tissue on your desk, which State Building Maintenance Limited can supply, is a welcomed gesture.

But it is our efficient nighttime office, condo and manufacturing cleaning by our trained staff that can reduce this suffering the most.  Besides our usual nighttime office and janitorial cleaning routine, we pay special attention to those areas that will harbour pollen.  If staff walk in with pollen on their clothes and proceed to sit down on fabric chairs State Building Maintenance Limited suggests a thorough nighttime vacuuming of any soft material and at some point, in the late spring, a steam cleaning of all upholstery.   And even though your business may not yet be ready for a spring window cleaning we recommend a monthly vacuuming of the window sills and tracks. Have you taken a good look at your blinds, both horizontal and vertical?  If it is not part of your maintenance program to have the dust removed every three months, now would be the perfect time to request this action. But don’t forget to arrange for that inside/outside window cleaning.

In our homes, we can replace our furnace fillers and have our vents cleaned as often as we choose but in businesses, whether they be Commercial, Industrial or Retail, it is not that simple.  Pollen is a sticky substance and with air movement pollen can stick to anything, so we say “look up”.  This is where HIGH LEVEL CLEANING comes in. Not only are we talking about the tops of doors, bookshelves, pictures frames, partitions, washroom stalls, cupboards, fridges etc. but as part of your cleaning program we suggest you have written in your quote, at least seasonally, high level cleaning.  This may involve specialize equipment where we will clean your air intake vents, your air conditioning vents, door vents, clean your lighting fixtures and remove all cobwebs. Even large leafed plants, whether natural or artificial, should be wiped down.  For those staff who suffer from allergies and who have enclosed offices within your company one can purchase room air purifiers.  Make sure you purchase one that lists the removal of pollen and mold spores.

Many allergy sufferers are delighted to see spring rains as rain washes the pollen out of the air but that can create another problem, with moisture and humidity comes mold.  So spring’s problems can be twofold. Spring rains may show up weaknesses in windows sills causing flooding down the walls and onto your floors.  It is important that your cleaning company be notified immediately to deal with this moisture so MOLD does not have a chance to take hold, as many people are also allergic to mold as well as pollen. One often notices mold not from sight but from smell, such as the smell of MUSTY carpets when standing water has not been removed. So if that is your problem, State Building Maintenance Limited will steam clean your carpets, or rotary clean your carpets, a faster drying method, using the appropriate cleaner plus a deodorizing and an anti-browning agent.

So as you see, there is much State Building Maintenance Limited can do to make life less miserable for those suffering from allergies. And with good health comes better productivity for your business. So please call us as we will be only be too happy to do a walk through of your business, giving recommendations, with no obligation, as to how your company can better the health of your office staff.

Our knowledgeable and professionally trained office cleaning staff will be there to service and maintain all your office cleaning and janitorial needs, no matter what size your COMMERCIAL, RETAIL, INDUSTRIAL, or CONDOMINUM space is. Please call State Building Maintenance Limited at 416-247-1290 or email us info@sbml.ca for a free QUOTE

Janitorial Service Toronto, Vaughan, Markham and Toronto – State Building Maintenance

Posted on May 3, 2017 by - Industrial Cleaning, Office Cleaning

How to Choose the Right Markham, Vaughan and Toronto Commercial Janitorial Service for Your Business

Janitorial Service TorontoFinding the right janitorial service is a very important decision for your business. It’s important to ask the right questions when you are speaking with prospective commercial cleaning companies. Maintaining a sanitary and clean work environment is essential to the success of your business.

First impressions are extremely important in business and a messy or dirty building can instantly create a negative experience for customers, tenants and employees. Having clean spaces will create an instant positive reaction and will improve your building’s appearance and hygiene.

Let’s be honest, it can be hard to maintain a clean building with so many other tasks on your daily to-do list. Many companies find it to be more cost effective to hire an outside commercial cleaning company to handle their ongoing and seasonal cleaning needs instead of adding a full-time janitor to their payroll. There are many commercial cleaning companies throughout Toronto, Vaughan, Markham and Mississauga that offer janitorial services. Finding the right janitorial service for your business can not only keep your workplace clean, it can save your company a lot of money and stress.

Outsourcing your cleaning needs to a Vaughan, Markham cleaning company will allow your employees the ability to focus on their actual jobs. Cleaning chemicals can be hazardous when they are not used properly. An experienced commercial cleaning company will be trained and certified to use these chemicals, products and equipment needed to clean your space properly. This will not only ensure the job is done properly but will protect you and your staff from any unfortunate hazards involving cleaning products.

Ideally, you will want to hire a janitorial company that utilizes the right equipment and tools to do the job properly. Also, experience in office space cleaning is a key thing to seek in a janitorial company. You’ll want a partner who operates with quiet cleaning equipment, allowing your business to function as usual while the cleaning is taking place during the daytime and/or the night time. Professionalism is a must-have for any janitorial cleaning service you hire. You need your workplace cleaned to the highest standard in a timely fashion. An experienced commercial cleaning company will provide a level of professionalism that you and your business can count on. A clean building is essential to your business so you need your cleaning company to have a strong attention to detail, allowing you and your team the ability to focus on your day-to-day tasks. Any experienced janitorial company should be able to quickly provide you with a list of references. It’s important to ask and verify the work of any cleaning company that you are thinking about hiring.

Experience is also another important element to consider. Since 1963, State Building Maintenance Limited (SBML) has been supplying office cleaning services in Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Scarborough and throughout the GTA. Experience also allows our professional cleaners the ability to have a deep understanding of their craft. At SBML we do our job efficiently the first time, making your workplace sparkle until the next visit.

It’s important to work with your janitorial service to come up with an action plan that’s customized for your business’ needs and schedule. We will work with you to address your company’s unique cleaning requirements. We’ll target your troublesome and high-traffic areas and design a plan that will best keep your space clean for the long term. A strong office janitorial plan will keep your space clean and will save you money by optimizing cleaning time. Services are scheduled based on your company’s operational schedule, budget, and seasonal needs.

We have your business janitorial needs covered, our clients include corporate offices, commercial properties, high-rise office buildings, industrial properties, condominiums, retail outlets and office spaces of all sizes.

We take a lot of pride in our ability to exceed the expectations of our clients throughout Markham, Vaughan and Toronto with our janitorial services. We’re proud of the reputation we earned over the years and our experienced cleaning team take this experience with them to every cleaning job we do. Looking for the right janitorial service partner? Contact us today for a free quote at info@sbml.ca or call us at 416-247-1290 and learn how SBML can keep your building sparkling.

Office Cleaning Toronto – STEAM CLEAN YOUR CARPETS AND REFINISH YOUR FLOORS

Posted on April 14, 2017 by - Industrial Cleaning, Office Cleaning

OFFICE CLEANING: WHY IT IS IMPORTANT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR TO  STEAM CLEAN YOUR CARPETS AND REFINISH YOUR FLOORS

Office Cleaning Services Toronto

Spring is a time for birth, rebirth and renewal, it is also that time of year, after many sunless, gloomy days of winter, when businesses get their verve back and start focusing on bringing in new customers.  And it is also that time of year when, as the sun pours through our windows, that we notice some of winter’s damage.

From experience, State Building Maintenance Limited recognizes that no matter what your daily office cleaning program entails, winter is the hardest on all flooring materials, whether you are talking about carpets or hard surfaced floors such as marble or man-made tiles.

No matter how diligent an office cleaning company is when taking care of your carpets and floors, by the nightly vacuuming of carpets and mats and sweeping and damp mopping of flooring, customers and staff do bring in damaging grit.  These tiny pieces of winter road salt, miniscule gravel, de-icers etc. adhere to your footwear, are then carried into your offices and become deeply imbedded in your carpets. If they are not vacuumed up daily because your cleaning program may different from a five-day a week cleaning schedule, these tiny pieces can then, on carpets, cut open the looped fibres of carpets and shred twisted fibre carpets, so it is imperative to remove all these destructive particles before they are trampled down even further into your carpets. So, for those customers who are not on a daily vacuuming schedule, we suggest that at winter’s end a deep, deep vacuuming be done with a heavy duty, strong suctioned vacuum that has an agitator, to bring to the surface all these granules.  This may even require a second deep vacuuming to protect your expensive investment.

And as part of our spring office cleaning program State Building Maintenance Limited will then do a rotary cleaning, a steam cleaning and a deodorizing of your carpets.  Our customers who are on an “every three months’ carpet maintenance program” with State Building Maintenance Limited are delighted at how effectively we can maintain the original colour of your carpets no matter how harsh the winter. After State Building Maintenance Limited has taken over a new customer’s carpet maintenance program, because of ineffective carpet cleaning by other cleaning companies, our new customers are pleasantly surprised when we have often brought back the original colour of their carpets.  It is important to handle winter’s damage before we head into the summer months.

These same destructive pieces of grit will cause even more noticeable damage to your hard-surfaced floors. To help stop the etching of your floors, State Building Maintenance Limited recommends, throughout all seasons, a daily sweeping with a treated sweeping tool and a damp mopping or floor steaming. Unfortunately, as we are often not there throughout the day to stop the grinding in of these granules, damage will occur during working hours.   So beyond our nightly floor sweeping and damp mopping, we will shield your flooring throughout the year by putting down protective finishes and perform a buffing as needed.  But in time all floors will need to be stripped to prevent a build-up of floor finishes. State Building Maintenance Limited suggests to all businesses, whether they be commercial, industrial, retail or condominiums, that spring is the perfect time to refurbish your floors.  State Building Maintenance Limited will strip your floors and put down a floor finish that is the appropriate impregnator and/or sealer for your type of flooring and if requested, provide our first-rate floor maintenance program, taking into account your needs and budget.

In some cases, because of heavy foot traffic, customers may choose to set up several floor stripping’s and refinishing’s throughout the year along with a daily, bi-weekly or a weekly maintenance program.  We will be pleased to come in and undertake a one time, spring floor refinishing or set up a complete office cleaning and janitorial program per your requirements.  State Building Maintenance Limited, known for their effective, efficient and reliable staff, are insured and bonded and members of WHMIS.  WE DO IT ALL, so whether you need a steam cleaning of your carpets or a stripping, buffing or burnishing of your floors, a full WINDOW CLEANING, an EVENT CLEAN-UP, CONDOMIUM, MANUFACTURING OR WAREHOUSE CLEANS, please call STATE BUILDING MAINTENANCE LIMITED at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca for a free quote.

Office Cleaning Services Toronto | Office Cleaning Services Vaughan | Janitorial Services Toronto

 

Office Cleaning Services Toronto

Posted on March 29, 2017 by - Office Cleaning

Tips for Window Cleaning This Spring

It’s amazing how much dirt can creep up on your windows during winter. You probably have a spring cleaning to-do list that’s piling up for your workplace now that the weather’s getting warmer. It’s time to clean out the offices, empty the closets, clean up your office’s outdoor space and clean your office building’s windows. Let’s face it; it’s really not fun to clean your windows in the chilly winter months. Call State Building maintenance for all your office cleaning services.

Ideally, your business’ windows should be washed at least twice a year. Spring is the perfect time to make those windows clear again.

Washing windows can be a hard chore. It takes the right equipment, cleaner, and experience to not only clean your windows but keep them streak-free. Consider SBML for all your office cleaning services.

The first trick is to have the right gear to get your windows clean. You need to have the ability to wash the entire glass of your window, it’s also important to do so safely.

Cleaning your windows provides a great opportunity to check around your window frames to make sure your rubber seals are properly intact. The cold of winter can actually crack and break down the rubber sealing of your windows. Damaged seals will cause your utility bill to skyrocket both in the summer and in the winter. Also, cracked seals will provide a great way for insects, dirt and debris to enter your workplace. Moisture trapped in damaged rubber seals also cause the wood surrounding your window to rot. It’s also not unusual to find moisture trapped between the glass panes of double-pane windows, this should be repaired right away. When left unaddressed you may find yourself needing an expensive repair.

When it comes to actually cleaning your windows it begins with a good squeegee, some high-quality dry cloths and a bottle of glass cleaning solution. We recommend that you purchase an environmentally-friendly cleaner. There are lots of glass cleaners on the market; it may be worth your time to do a little research on which cleaner will work best for your business’ needs.

Avoid using a roll of paper towel to clean your windows. Using wadded up paper towel will simply just move the dirt and grease around the glass, not remove it. Also, it will create a static charge on the window which will attract even more dirt and dust to the glass. You’ll probably notice that your windows will still be dirty after they dry.

You’ll want to pay extra attention to the picture windows in your office building. These windows are the largest and provide tons of attractive natural light into your space. Mix a cleaning solution in warm water (the fewer suds the better) and use a long cloth applicator to spread the solution across the glass without scratching anything.

Once you squeegee the glass you’ll want to clean using a reverse-S pattern, cleaning the squeegee’s blade with a lint-free rag. Another important part to keeping your windows streak-free is to dry the glass with a damp cloth. There are various solutions on the market to eliminate stubborn stains from things such as hard water runoff from mason work or mineral stains from rain.

Sometimes it’s best to leave your spring window cleaning to a professional. At State Building Maintenance Limited, we’ve providing office cleaning services and window cleaning services to offices in Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Mississauga and Brampton area to ensure they have streak-free windows since 1963. In addition to cleaning your office building’s windows, we also recommend steam cleaning your the mats at all of your entrances. Call State Building Maintenance for all your office cleaning services. Our goal is to make your business clean and inviting for all who enter. Also, we don’t just clean your glass, we’ll make sure your window frames are also dirt-free.

Learn more by contacting one of our experienced window cleaning professionals by calling 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca. Make sure to ask about our office cleaning services Toronto and Vaughan!

Office Cleaning Toronto

Posted on March 7, 2017 by - Office Cleaning

OFFICE CLEANING TORONTO | JANITORIAL SERVICES TORONTO

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CLEANLINESS

Office Cleaning Toronto : Janitorial Services Toronto & Vaughan

Psychology is the study of the mind and its behaviour, how we think and feel.  So what does psychology have to do, you ask, with cleanliness and State Building Maintenance Limited?  We all dread coming home from work when we know we have to face the dirty dishes that we’ve left in the sink and we can easily identify as to how satisfied we feel when our homes are acceptably clean. So too when arriving at your workplace, you shouldn’t be seeing dirty dishes in the sink, so to speak. We also know, don’t we, that a clean and organized home can improve our mood, decrease our stress and can even give us the energy to do a bit more work, we want this energy to carry over to your place of business. So State Building Maintenance Limited’s first order of business is to have your customer’s and staff’s first reaction be a positive one when they walk into your building.  Ask yourself how you, a business owner, would react when opening an office’s front door that is covered with marks and has a sticky handle.  What one first observes is lasting.  In our cleaning company State Building Maintenance Limited will not settle for anything less but a positive first impression. No matter what product or service your company is selling, an unfavorable first look can affect your bottom line.  We are all taught to not judge too quickly, that there must be second chances, but that doesn’t always happen when a customer’s first thoughts are negative because of inadequate office cleaning.

State Building Maintenance Limited wants your clients and staff to look favourably upon your company, to see glistening windows, spot free floors, we want your customers to be able to walk up to a receptionist’s desk that is free from smudges, notice that the chairs that they are about to sit on are free from grime and we definitely don’t want your customers coming out of your washroom facilities with a look of disgust.  And that look of disgust can happen.  So it is State Building Maintenance Limited’s job to support your business and provide professional office cleaning services.  You may have hired a reputable decorator and purchased eye catching furniture for your office/building but that is not what will first catch the eye of your customers.  What a customer first sees, and we don’t want it to be grime, has great impact, it will create that first impression of who you are.  It can deter them from coming back for that second meeting, that second purchase, they may not give you a second chance.  In starting a new business you would no more open the doors to the public when your office, condominium, manufacturing plant or store hasn’t had an initial clean, nor would you set up a website that is slow running or difficult to navigate, so why would you not chose to run your established company without using every advantage and that is what State Building Maintenance Limited offers, that added advantage.

As it is with that first look when one enters a building, it is also that first disgusting smell that can assail your customers and effect their perception of your business. Unpleasant smells can be caused by dirty standing water, cleaning rags not changed regularly, garbage not removed daily, vents not vacuumed to allow for good air flow and not using effective disinfectants  Smell can be the deciding factor as to how a client perceives your company.

Our first and foremost job is to provide a healthy and safe environment, we work with disinfecting products and steam to kill germs, use up-to-date and effective cleaning tools, make sure your floors are clean and slip free and so forth.  Please check out our website, as WE DO IT ALL.  But we have often found that dirt begets dirt, people are less inclined to be careful when mess is not handled immediately. So sometimes it as simple as hiring our Porter Services for your washrooms during busy hours.   How many times have you looked with dismay at overflowing garbage cans, dripping wet counters and bemoaned the lack of deodorizes.  It all plays into your customer’s psyche.

We know that in many cases cleaning companies are hired because of what they are charging, often the lowest priced quote wins out, but we want to encourage businesses to look at the true “value of clean”, how the psychology behind cleanliness effects your business and not just go by price alone.    State Building Maintenance Limited offers excellent value for money and provides a safe, clean environment but there is also great value when clients arrive at your place of business and leave with no negative impressions and utter no complaints.  We believe that your workplace’s cleanliness plays an important part in bringing in new business.

So please call State Building Maintenance Limited for a free quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

SBML – Office Cleaning Toronto | Janitorial Services Toronto – Serving Toronto, Vaughan and the entire GTA.

 

FLOORING – PART TWO

Posted on February 6, 2017 by - Industrial Cleaning, Office Cleaning

GENERAL INFORMATION AND UPKEEP

As in January, State Building Maintenance Limited is continuing its discussion of various types of flooring and their cleaning requirements. For those who are considering a new floor installation we recommend that you discuss the merits of your floor choice and definitely the cons with the manufacturer if possible, the seller, your installer and your contractor if you are using one.

IMPREGNATORS – SEALANTS – WHEN and WHERE
Many people regard these products as interchangeable – they are not – there is a major difference for the usage of each product.

IMPREGNATORS
State Building Maintenance Limited believes an impregnator is essential for all porous flooring. The purpose of an impregnator is to penetrate into porous flooring, inside the actual product. They essentially help to prevent water, dirt and oil from going INTO porous flooring, as DEEP stains are almost impossible to remove, if at all. What they do is give you time to clean up a spill so there is no DEEP staining. They do not provide 100% protection, they will not prevent acidic etching nor do they last forever. If used by experts they do not change the texture or appearance of your flooring. They are NOT a surface protector.

SEALANTS
So where does a sealant / topical sealer factor in? These sealers are your surface protectors, we also consider this product essential. They are the second step in protecting porous material but also the first step in providing added protection for non-porous flooring. They add surface protection from water, dirt and oils and make for easier daily floor cleaning and buffing. They can change the look of your flooring depending on the sealer, on whether you chose a mat, semi-gloss or a high gloss sealer. Their disadvantage is that they do wear, more so in high traffic areas. When that occurs State Building Maintenance Limited will strip and re-apply the sealer. We know it seems as if there is no end to floor maintenance and we have to agree but what our customers need to know is that it is our company’s job, working with pride, to protect your investment.

GRANITE
Buying and installing Granite as a floor choice can prove to be an expensive option. There are different qualities/grades of Granite. Low-priced Granite will generally have faults in the stone and can be a thinner tile, therefore weakening it. Although costly we recommend premium or first grade Granite for its strength, so the utmost protection is imperative. An impregnator is recommended to protect your Granite from deep staining. After that application a sealant should be applied for further protection and then re-applied as needed. For commercial spaces, to keep your sealed Granite looking its best, State Building Maintenance Limited recommends a daily sweeping with a treated sweeping tool and then a light washing.

SLATE
As with other natural stones Slate comes in a variety of colours but is mostly chosen and known for its rich shades of black and grey, providing a rustic look, but when paired with popular paint colours and brilliant silver decor it gives Slate a modern look. Because Slate is formed by the earth’s pressure of its stone layers it is crucial to lay Slate on an even subfloor or it may crack. Slate is a highly durable tile but because of the way it is formed surface layers have been known to flake off. So State Building Maintenance Limited advises our customers to apply an impregnator that will settle into the stone and then a sealant as further protection, with the sealant being re-applied when necessary. Daily care necessitates a sweeping and a light washing.

TRAVERTINE
Many consider Travertine to be a soft stone as it is a porous stone peppered with holes. Because of this it will absorb moisture easily, is prone to staining, can be scratched and show its wear and tear but don’t let that stop you from installing this attractive stone that has been used for centuries. If you are looking for warm tones in your flooring Travertine may be the answer, available in tones of beige, rust, tan, and brown. Some people prefer the unsealed, old tumbled look of Travertine and are willing to accept staining but as it can be greatly affected by moisture and acidic products, for businesses State Building Maintenance Limited definitely recommends that initially an impregnator be applied and then a sealant as a second line of defense. Once sealed we can maintain your Travertine tiles, keeping them looking their best, as we do with other natural stones, utilizing State Building Maintenance’s daily cleaning routine.

TERRAZZO
Terrazzo is a solid surface, extremely durable material, invented in the 15th century. It was originally made by combining cement and marble fragments. Nowadays Terrazzo is still manufactured from cement but can also be prepared with an epoxy base. What makes Terrazzo so versatile is that we can now add glass, metallics and other aggregates to create a custom look. This tough solid surface material, polished to a high shine and with no grout lines requires less time consuming maintenance, an added bonus when working out your yearly maintenance budget, but it can be slippery when wet so State Building Maintenance Limited recommends a non-slip coating be applied to its surface. As with other flooring it will require a daily sweeping and then a light washing when necessary.

VINYL FLOORING
Vinyl Flooring comes in an array of colours and patterns, copying the look of wood flooring and many expensive stones, so if it is not in your budget for the original, Vinyl flooring may be the answer. Buying the highest quality of Vinyl flooring will come with a warrantee of 15 years or more. For added protection State Building Maintenance Limited will apply a 25% acrylic floor finish. Although not the first choice for offices, you will still find the top rated Vinyl flooring in many offices but there is one limitation, Vinyl flooring can be gouged and cut so you must not push your office furniture over the surface of Vinyl flooring without using protection. Using furniture gliders or soft furniture pads is a must. To keep its appearance Vinyl flooring just needs to be swept and damp mopped daily. State Building Maintenance Limited can also PROPANE BURNISH VINYL FLOORS to create a very high shine, that wet look.

CONCRETE
You will find Concrete flooring in all our customers’ factories and warehouses because of its durability. It takes tremendous weight to damage Concrete, it will easily handle the weight of manufacturing machinery, the weight of your products piled high and the weight of trucks and forklifts that need to enter your premises. We at State Building Maintenance Limited recommend a daily sweeping of Concrete with a dust inhibitor and then a light washing, daily or monthly, depending on our customer’s requirements. In places where Concrete flooring is your show piece, being used now more than ever, and because Concrete is a porous material State Building Maintenance Limited recommends the use of an impregnator and then a sealant to help prevent staining. As concrete too is considered a solid surface material, once polished to a smooth finish and sealed properly it just requires a daily sweeping with a dust inhibitor and a light washing as needed.

Having read the above article it may dissuade some customers from purchasing their first choice of flooring for a future renovation but remember no one floor product is the perfect answer, not even solid surface materials like polished and sealed Concrete or Terrazzo. With a solid surface material, if there is major damage, and we are not saying it will happen, the repair to solid surface materials can be more costly than lifting and replacing a few tiles. Although there is no one perfect flooring, STATE BUILDING MAINTENANCE LIMITED is your perfect answer to your flooring’s upkeep. State Building Maintenance Limited has kept pace with the cleaning practices of all floor surfaces, old and new, we have the expertise, are trustworthy and efficient but more than anything, our aim is to provide complete satisfaction with our cleaning services.

So whether you need State Building Maintenance Limited to deal with your floor cleaning problems, chose to have your carpets or windows cleaned or are looking to set up a full service cleaning program daily, bi-weekly or once a week please call us for a free quote at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

Floor Tiles

Posted on January 12, 2017 by - Industrial Cleaning, Office Cleaning

WHEN RENOVATING – The PROS and CONS of HARD SURFACED FLOOR TILES

Many businesses, having closed their books for the year 2016, are looking at 2017 as a fresh start.  With that new beginning there may be an allotted amount in your yearly budget for building/office renovations.  So to get the best return on your investment owners will choose the renovation that not only adds to the value of the building/office but also conveys that wow factor/that pleasing and inviting look for their customers and staff.  In State Building Maintenance’s experience, providing you don’t need new mechanics in the building such as fixing plumbing problems etc., we see that one of the most positive impressions and impact on customers is made by renovating the front entrance/lobby.  As compared to an entrance that is dark and dingy, entering a new and glistening entrance hall/reception area can’t help but perk up one’s staff and visitors.  But we find the most lasting and positive impression is created by the renovation of your washrooms.  No business owner wants to feel that their customers/employees are rushing in and out in order to avoid what looks like a dirty washroom but upon reflection it may just be dated with worn/cracked tiles and grout that can no longer be cleaned because it was not maintained or sealed properly when installed.

So to help with your renovations of 2017 State Building Maintenance Limited will talk about different tiles/flooring that we have worked with, their pros and cons, and ask you to do serious research before you make your choice for your particular renovation.

MARBLE, we consider that the WOW factor, but an expensive WOW factor.  Marble, one of the most strikingly veined, natural stones has been used in buildings for centuries and withstood the test of time but only with continuous maintenance. We deal with marble on many of our customer’s floors.  You need to remember that marble is a soft, porous stone that is easily stained and scratched.  But when laid properly and maintained with the help of State Building Maintenance Limited, marble suggests “splendour”.  Marble must first be professionally sealed.  Because of its porosity we recommend an impregnator, the correct one for your needs, which penetrates into the marble and then you will need the right cleaning and polishing program for maintenance. Do not apply a light sealer that will sit on the surface and wear off in next to no time.   If properly sealed the correct finish will last many years.  Maintenance will then be a daily wet mopping and a weekly buffing to enhance its shine. We then periodically, depending on the traffic and the way it was sealed, will reseal the tiles/sheeting.   If serious damage occurs, other than normal wear and tear, you must bring in, with some expense, a stone restoration company.  Over the last few years we have noticed that much of the new marble being chosen is lighter in tone then what was even chosen ten years ago.

PORCELAIN TILES

Many people confuse Porcelain tiles with Ceramic tiles.  First we must say that Porcelain tiles are more often than not becoming the tile of choice for flooring, especially in HIGH TRAFFIC or WET AREAS.  Porcelain tiles are the hardest commercially made floor tiles available and fired at a higher temperature than ceramic tiles.  However the Tile Council of North American defines porcelain tiles not by their strength but by their water absorbency. Porcelain tiles absorb less than 0.5% whereas ceramic tiles absorb more than 0.5%.  Full bodied/ homogeneous porcelain tiles, unglazed and unpolished, carry the colour and pattern throughout so that if there is any wear or chipping it is difficult to see.  They offer slip resistance but can stain more easily.  To some that dull look may be disappointing after installation so often State Building Maintenance Limited will get asked to put on a low gloss sealant to add some shine and a layer of protection.  Porcelain tiles also come glazed with a layer of liquid glass, this provides better protection from staining but offers less slip resistance and will show more scratches.

CERAMIC TILES, often called NON-PORCELAIN

Having stressed the benefits of Porcelain tiles, there is nothing wrong with Ceramic tiles, they are in many of our customer’s entrances and washrooms. They are both manufactured from clays, kiln dried and come unglazed and glazed.  They are a softer clay and as many will attest, are much easier to cut and install than porcelain. So bear that in mind as extra time in installing porcelain tiles may require more money in the budget for porcelain work. Coming in an array of colours and patterns, ceramic tiles are also usually a little less expensive. They, too, are often used in wet areas such a bathrooms, both on walls and floors, glazed tiles being recommended for walls to promote easy cleaning and protection from moisture and minimally glazed or textured tiles are recommended on washroom floors for slip resistance. Ceramic tiles, a little more prone to wear and tear and chipping, are generally rated from 1 to 5 so they are not recommend for high traffic areas unless you choose a tile with a rating of 5. It is buyer beware and the need of a knowledgeable supplier and installer. Ceramic tiles that come glazed only need a daily wet wiping/mopping.    State Building Maintenance Limited recommends that our customers speak to a minimum of three companies about their tile products before making a final choice.

So if you are ready for a new floor installation please call State Building Maintenance Limited and talk to us about what we have learned about the flooring of your choice and the maintenance that it really needs to keep that new look.  Remember your contractor does not make the final decision, you do.  All flooring is not created equal, speaking from experience the more information you have the better to make the right choice for you budget.

At this time of year meteorologist often talk about a January thaw that comes when temperatures hit above the freezing point for a few days. This starts a quick melting process of snow and ice.  So State Building Maintenance Limited wants to re-enforce the need for daily removal of all standing water on your tiles/flooring to prevent falls and to stop the growth of mold.

State Building Maintenance Limited is more than glad to be of service to you in 2017, for a free quote or general advice please called us at 416-247-1290 or email us at info@sbml.ca

Coming in February- more about the kinds and maintenance of tiles/hard surfaced flooring