Feb 05 2020
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Hard Water Window Stains

How to Address Your Building’s Hard Water Window Stains

By | Hard Water Stain Removal

Misdirected Sprinklers. Precast Leaching. Metal Oxidation. Indoor Water Leaks. All of these things can leave damaging hard water deposits on your glass and window frames, making a less than professional impression on your clients, potential employees, and building visitors. Over time, the mineral deposits build up and can lead to permanent window damage, which will ultimately impact the aesthetics and life of each window. With every passing month, the stains will become harder and harder to remove. What is Hard Water? Hard water has more than 17.1 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium in it. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 85% of US water is considered hard. What Should You Do? Please take a photo of the stained windows as soon as you see the damage. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to remove the stains.  Unless you are familiar with the cleanup process, you can easily damage or scratch the glass. In some cases, the stains may be permanent, and you will need to replace the windows. An expensive proposition, indeed! Identify your hard water source Figure out the source and try to get a resolution and/or schedule periodic cleanings to prevent the build up. Once the hard water stains have been removed, please schedule periodic cleaning with us. Even if we stop the original problem source, chances are water stains will continue to occur. When we clean your windows, we will suggest a treatment schedule that will…

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Nov 15 2019
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metal restoration before and after

5 Metal Restoration Details Every Building Owner Must Know

By | Metal Restoration

Metal restoration/maintenance services are required to help preserve the integrity of the exterior mullions. From historic buildings to modern skyscrapers the right restoration process extends the life of the metal, adds value to your building, and improves its curb appeal. Looking at the top section of the metal compared to the bottom. The photo tells the story. However, there’s much more you need to know. When a building’s exterior panels or frames start to weather, they lose their original luster. Weathering may cause oxidation and pits in the anodization. Metal restoration stops corrosion and renews the appearance of the facade. Here are several things you should take into consideration when undergoing a metal restoration project: Test Panels It is imperative that metal restoration tests be performed to confirm client’s expectation. The photographs are from two different properties. This allows us to finetune the process and make sure the products are appropriate for the types of metal and conditions. Determine Timeline: Under Promise, Over Deliver! One of the things we pride ourselves in is meeting or beating our projected completion dates. We realize having a crew outside of your building can be a distraction to the workplace. We work efficient enough to provide you with the results we promised barring any outside factors (weather or equipment issues). Deliver Pristine Results One of the things we pride ourselves in is meeting or beating our projected completion dates. We realize having a crew outside of your building can be a distraction to the…

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Jan 23 2019
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caulking waterproof

The Most Important Commercial Building Investment? Waterproofing!

By | Waterproofing

Think of all the time and money you spent designing and constructing your building. Whether it’s one or one hundred floors, standing water around its foundation can create major structural issues. In addition, roofs, windows, concrete pane joints, outdoor decks and balconies are areas where leaks start and continue to do damage if not attended to early on. Waterproofing your building protects it from water intrusion and the adverse impact of hydrostatic pressure. At HSG, we look at all aspects of water intrusion from the inside and out. This blog post will focus on what happens when you ignore the problem, the four leak origin areas, waterproofing core benefits and the HSG difference. What Happens If You Don’t do Waterproofing If you never have your building inspected and/or you are aware of some roof or window leakage, you’re at risk for major problems. Here are real-life examples about what happens when you ignore the problem: Water dripping from the ceiling. While initially you can put a bucket under the leak, the problem comes from a hole in the roof. If you don’t remedy the situation, eventually the ceiling tile will give way, possibly injuring your employees. In addition, a dropped tile can damage furniture, equipment and technology. Standing water next to the foundation. Not only will it weaken your concrete, but water can seep into your HVAC system causing havoc with heat and air conditioning. Known window and roof leaks that are getting worse. These can lead to bacterial problems…

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Jul 01 2018
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How to Save Your Building From Scratches And Graffiti

By | Glass Scratch Removal & Prevention

How to Save Your Building From Scratches And Graffiti How your business deals with damage to your property says a lot about your approach to PR. Letting scratches accumulate from untreated wear and tear suggests a lack of concern for detail. Much like a handshake, that means missing out on the competitive edge of a sparkling first impression. It’s even worse if that untended damage happens to be in the form of graffiti – vandals see this eyesore as encouragement for more etchings or tagging. It sends everyone – including potential clients – the message “We don’t care about harm to our image or insults to our reputation.” Don’t let that be your business! Take control of your building and your company’s image – don’t leave things up to chance. Let HSG remove scratches and graffiti on glass and metallic surfaces for you. We will then cover the newly restored surface with a protective film to reduce the chance of future vandalism or damage. This process at least makes future touch-ups cheaper, so it’s a wise investment for both repair and prevention. We carry LEED-certified tinted solar film, too, which reduces wear from direct sunlight and lowers energy consumption without compromising the appearance of your building.

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Jun 01 2018
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Make Your Building’s Metal Surfaces Shine Again

By | Metal Restoration

If your building has a metallic exterior, rust, corrosion, surface contamination, and bonded dirt are real concerns. When you’re used to seeing a building every day, slight changes may go undetected on a daily basis even though they have a drastic effect when they accumulate over time. Weathering causes outdoor metals to lose their luster through oxidation and dents. Temperature changes also cause metal to expand and contract, which can lead to damage or dislodgment when metals interact with washers and fasteners. Sometimes people fail to realize that old protective sealants and coatings need replacement and can actually contribute to their building’s problems, too. HSG can help stop corrosion and greatly improve the look of metallic surfaces with a professional combination of non-abrasive pads and solvents. Our metal restoration experts will determine the right cleaning process and protective coating for your building’s specific type of metal surfaces. We also have plenty of experience with cleaning and polishing stone masonry and other specialized materials – try us! With regular maintenance service from our team, you can keep your building shining as much as possible.

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May 01 2018
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What’s So Hard About Water?

By | Hard Water Stain Removal

Many building owners are unaware of the damaging chemical processes quietly taking place on their property. Not all water is created equal! Depending on what it contains, water can be a friend or a foe to your building exterior. What is hard water? Hard water is water with a high concentration of minerals, often including calcium, magnesium, or silicon. This type of water leaves behind unsightly mineral deposits – a chalky whitish coating – when it dries and carries with it an increased risk of corrosion and damage to your building. Don’t wait to address this problem until it is too late! HSG has decades of experience in hard water stain removal. We use extra-fine triple zero (Grade #000) steel wool with a special polishing agent to remove stubborn mineral deposits. This process is gentle enough not to scratch glass, but it is strong enough to make dulled, worn surfaces look bright and new. We guarantee your building and your business will look more inviting and professionally maintained with regular help from us!

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Apr 01 2018
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Your Building – Isn’t For the Birds

By | Bird Control

This month and through the rest of summer, the bird population will be at its highest. The chicks have hatched and are out of the nest. As the numbers increase, they look to perch and roost on commercial buildings. They usually on the Northeast corners of buildings where they are protected from the onshore weather (winds, sun, etc.). This blog will hopefully make you aware of the hazards of not taking action with these pests. Which Birds are commonly seen at buildings? These are the pests we see most often on commercial buildings: Pigeons: You will usually find them on the roofs and protected areas Starlings: Roost in large numbers and settle under the eaves of buildings. Crows:  Very smart birds, noisy, messy, mean! House Sparrows: Anyplace where food is stored or processed Gulls: Perch on rooftops in most coastal areas.  They usually come in from the coastal areas when there is a storm coming. Hazards of bird infestation: Noise:  Most of the birds mentioned above are noisy. Bird droppings on the sidewalk.  This can be a huge cause for slip and falls. Pigeons and or hawks: They love to perch on building signage and soil the sides of buildings and ground below the signs. Bird debris (poop) is loaded with bacteria and diseases (over 160 diseases) Bird debris (poop) is very acidic. Public freeways have a huge problem with this because it eats away at the concrete and steel re-enforcements; Eats through paint, uproots roof tiles, and clogs up…

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Mar 18 2018
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Waterproof Now to Keep Costly Headaches at Bay

By | Caulking & Waterproofing

The concept of waterproofing isn’t something we Southern Californians usually spend a lot of time on,given the amount of rain we get per year. However, when it does rains, it can be several inches over a very short period which can lead to significant water troubles for your property. Here are the signs, reasoning and tips to understanding this important process. Signs You Need Waterproofing Whether your property is ten or one hundred years old, there are telltale signs that waterproofing is in your future. These include: Vinyl shrinkage around windows on window corners Gaps Cracks in the concrete curtain wall Parapet caps and walls on roof have damaged/deteriorated seals If you are unsure whether you have problems or not, consider an inspection. In addition, pull out the original paperwork on your roof and windows to determine if they are near end of life. Waterproofing materials lifespan: Roofs last 5-20 years, depending on the material Windows have an expectancy of 15-20 years Why Waterproof If you don’t waterproof your building from time-to-time or ignore the signs listed above, you may experience one or more of the following problems: Water seepage which can lead to a build up of mold. Left to its own devices, this blight can turn into black mold, a hazard to any business. Moisture that can damage drywall, carpeting, office furniture and technology. Musty or mildewed smell throughout the space, which may cause many tenants to leave at the end of their lease. Overall, waterproofing is a preventative measure that will save you money if done correctly.   What You Can Do Now Here are three tips that will keep you in good stead with your tenants, save money and keep water headaches away: When it rains, look around the inside…

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HSG is compliant with all CDC, OSHA, State Guidelines and Applicable Laws of Covid-19. HSG Employees have been trained, and provided the necessary PPE tools to ensure the safety of all.  It is a top priority of HSG to maintain a safe work environment at all times and throughout the current crisis.

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