Sep 08 2022
0
Commercial Building Maintenance

What Are the Commercial Building Services Needed to Take Care of My Building?

By | Building Maintenance

Running and managing commercial properties requires specialized care and attention, especially building maintenance and repairs. Routine and emergency facilities maintenance and repair services remain in high demand. Maintenance collaboration and service coordination can help ensure facilities are properly managed and maintained when things are good and when things aren’t so good. Valcourt does all the work of facilities management and commercial building maintenance using their staff of highly skilled and experienced professionals. They work to provide services for commercial buildings and high-rise building maintenance services that have remained in high demand for many years. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, an estimated 6 million U.S. commercial buildings contained 97 billion square feet total as of 2018. The number of commercial buildings requiring routine maintenance and upkeep increased by 6%, and commercial square footage increased by 11% since the prior CBECS in 2012. The number of commercial properties has continued to grow, though some estimate at a slower rate than in previous years. People spend nearly 80–90% of their time in commercial buildings, whether for work, errands, or dwelling. Building managers constantly look for ways to improve maintenance and upkeep operations to make their lives easier and to improve the lives of workers, tenants, and the general public. Here is why commercial building maintenance companies remain in high demand in 2022. Damages Caused by Neglected High Rise and Commercial Building Maintenance  Many issues can arise when building maintenance and repairs get ignored. Increased…

Read More
Aug 18 2022
0
rooftop anchors systems

The Role of Rooftop Anchors & Systems for a Building’s Fall Protection system

By | Building Maintenance

All manner of roof work and exterior work can present safety risks as part of on-demand building repair work. The simple task of replacing shingles, tarps, or washing windows on a four-story building can result in a fatal fall. Something as seemingly innocent as a strong gust of wind can lead to a trip and fall from a roof, scaffolding, or other precarious perches.  An example of this was on a terrifying display in Florida in December 2021 when workers cleaning a high-rise building were left hanging high in the air. A partial scaffolding collapse at Hallandale Beach High Rise saw two workers rescued after dangling from their harness lifelines. Both workers escaped severe injury due to the harness and anchor systems that were up to code and operational. Regulations passed and updated by OSHA regarding standards for fall protection help ensure workers have as safe a work environment as possible. Employers must provide adequate safety gear and equipment and ensure commercial buildings get appropriately outfitted with a roof anchor system. Falls are one of the leading causes of traumatic and fatal workplace injuries in the United States. However, adequately utilized roof anchors and an up-to-date fall protection system can significantly reduce these risks and eliminate fall injuries and deaths.  What are Rooftop Anchors?  Rooftop anchors are straightforward yet vital components of any high-rise building safety system. They help establish rooftop anchor systems and fall prevention methods that offer enhanced fall protection and increase the safety of your building. It…

Read More
Jul 29 2022
0
facility_management_services

We Have a Leak! Why Hiring an Expert Service Is Key to Avoiding Costly Damage

By | Building Maintenance

Owning commercial buildings comes with expenses, and the last thing an owner wants to do is pour more into facility management services. In actuality, facilities management is a service that, over time, may save your business money in the long run. Preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid costly facility repairs and stay ahead of the game with routine maintenance.  In fact, according to Statista.com, “In 2020, the global facility management market was worth approximately 1.34 trillion U.S. dollars. Facility management involves delivering support services like cleaning, catering, accounting, and IT services for professional organizations.” Facility management is an industry that has a great future ahead.  What Kinds of Costly Damages Are Commonly Seen? In facility management services, costly facility repairs and damages occur at any given time. Being prepared is vital for any of these occurrences. Ensure staff is well equipped and knowledgeable on handling each specific situation, whether it is an act of mother nature or a human mishap.  The most common types of commercial property damage claims consist of:  Storm Damage – Storm damage can be highly destructive. They have the potential to destroy the entire structure, knock down trees, crack windows, cause the need for commercial glass restoration, cause damage to equipment or inventory, and even create power outages. Fire Damage – Fires can be highly detrimental to the structure of a building. If not immediately contained, the entire building and its contents are in jeopardy of the fire.  Water Damage – Often caused by…

Read More
Jul 27 2022
0
on-demand_building_repairs

What Goes Into Professional On-Demand Building Repairs

By | Building Maintenance

On-demand building repairs are an essential component of managing and managing and owning a commercial building. Typically routine facilities maintenance is the preferred maintenance that avoids downtime of the building’s functionality and features. According to Plant Engineering, “The cost of unplanned downtime includes more than just that of the parts and labor needed to fix a piece of equipment. Both tangible and intangible costs must be considered.” However, even with a routine maintenance plan, emergencies and unforeseen circumstances will still arise, and a plan to address these concerns must be in place.  It is impossible to avoid all emergency building maintenance situations. Commercial buildings have a business at stake. Avoiding routine or on-demand maintenance is detrimental to business flow, resulting in reduced profits, loss of goods, decreased customer satisfaction, and safety concerns. On-demand building maintenance services are essential to the overall functionality of a building.  What Are On-Demand Building Repairs? An on-demand building repair occurs when a repair is necessary and urgent. For example, when a piece of equipment or the structural integrity of a building is at risk, on-demand building repairs need to addressing immediately. On-demand building repairs occur unplanned and require quick action as they can provide a threat to the safety of the building, occupants, and employees. Some on-demand building repairs require a complete shutdown or even an evacuation, which might result in a loss of sales and profits for owners as well as compromise the safety and well-being of customers. Minor repairs are simple to put…

Read More
Jul 14 2022
0
building_repairs_and_maintenance

How to Reduce Costs When Building Management Needs Arise

By | Building Maintenance

High maintenance, restoration, and repair expenses affect the profitability of a building and company. Keeping these costs to a minimum is ideal but is necessary to maintain a profitable business. Working to reduce these costs with building management systems and building energy management is vital. A reactive approach to building repairs and maintenance can result in excess spending and expenses. Investing in a proactive approach will change the game and reduce structural deterioration.  1. Work to Eliminate Reactive, Unplanned Maintenance Backlogs It might be tempting to put minor main concerns on the backburner when it comes to building repairs and maintenance, such as commercial glass restoration. However, this is never the best route to take. Ignoring, what appears to be minor issues, can lead to much more severe problems down the road. Before these problems become an emergency in building management systems, address them immediately.  It’s impossible to avoid all emergency maintenance, but having a proactive maintenance plan in place will help alleviate a lot of the stress that comes with urgent and emergency facilities maintenance and repairs. Such a plan must include clearly defined procedures, checklists, and building management sensors to ensure that after-hours emergency maintenance goes as smoothly and swiftly as possible.  2. Use Digital Building Management Tools to Understand Your Maintenance Schedule Multiple digital and technological tools are available to facility managers and building management systems. Accessing and implementing these tools, including building management sensors, is a game-changer in understanding a maintenance schedule. Technology intelligent building management…

Read More
Jul 05 2022
0
emergency maintenance

Tips for Better Urgent and Emergency Facilities Maintenance & Repairs

By | Building Maintenance

Facility managers play a vital role in building emergency maintenance service management. Facilities managers are the control point for all maintenance, restoration, and repair concerns, including emergency maintenance. Therefore, they must be able to communicate and allocate resources effectively and as quickly as possible during building maintenance emergency scenarios.  Emergency maintenance services include critical elevator cab concerns, water leaks, flooding concerns, and safety features. With preparation and professionalism, facility managers can handle emergency repairs swiftly without affecting the business flow and its occupants.  As the facilities management industry continues to grow, facility managers’ jobs are expanding to include more duties and skill sets, including emergency maintenance service. In addition, the physical environment of buildings is becoming more crucial to how modern society conducts business, enjoys entertainment, and enjoys lifestyles leading to increased facilities management budgets, which means managers have a more significant influence. But first, it’s essential to understand what urgent maintenance truly is and how it differs from standard maintenance. What Constitutes a Maintenance Emergency? How often do you think about the answer to, “what is emergency maintenance?” Emergency maintenance is a repair that occurs on an as-needed basis and requires immediate attention. An emergency repair must be made immediately when a piece of machinery or the structural integrity is in jeopardy, causing an emergency maintenance concern. Emergency repairs can happen at any moment and need a fast response as they could pose a danger or safety hazard to building occupants and staff. Some building maintenance emergency circumstances can…

Read More
Jun 23 2022
0
building maintenance services

What Are On-Demand Building Maintenance Services?

By | Building Maintenance

Building maintenance services are a vital part of building management and ownership. It improves the property’s overall value, enhances the satisfaction of occupants and visitors, and eliminates safety hazards. Routine and scheduled maintenance is ideal, but not all issues arise on a planned schedule. Therefore, an on-demand building and maintenance company is needed.  On-demand maintenance meets the immediate needs of issues that have come to fruition. Commercial properties specifically need on-demand care, as their businesses are on the line. A business can be significantly impacted by maintenance issues, especially if the time to repair is excessive. As a result, companies can see a loss of product, profit, and business while creating a safety risk to customers. Therefore, on-demand maintenance, restoration, and repair are vital to companies.  According to 2018 Building Owners and Managers Association International research, typical private building expenses can range from $0.02 to $0.06, but unplanned costs can quickly soar well above those rates. This data provides valuable information on the cost of upkeep and maintenance on commercial properties. In addition, routinely maintaining the exterior of the building, grounds, landscaping, and other equipment, such as the HVAC system, can help decrease the need for on-demand services.  What Are Building Maintenance Services? Building maintenance services are services provided that maintain, preserve, and extend the life of the building and its components and include various tasks and efforts. Specifically, these services include inspections, emergency repairs, work orders, requests, and the overall general maintenance of a building. As time goes on,…

Read More
Jun 15 2022
0
restoration_commercial_window_glass

The Ultimate Rundown of Commercial Glass Restoration

By | Commercial Windows

The building owner and manager highly desire their structure and its commercial plaza deck makes a stunning first impression. Clean and sleek glass is attractive, no matter the structure. Glass accounts for a substantial part of the care and attention given to commercial buildings and components.  Glass restoration companies install glass in multiple areas of buildings, not just windows. According to Buildings.com, “Depending on how the glass is treated before installation, it can be a viable option anywhere in a building. It can be tempered as well as annealed or laminated for extreme safety. As an interior wall or partition, it’s hard to think of why you wouldn’t be able to use glass. Translucent (and opaque) glass products are great as demountable partitions, in reception areas and conference rooms, or as stairs and treads. How the glass is treated or fabricated governs where the glass can be used.” Seeing glass stained with residue, graffiti, and scratches is unattractive. In addition, it affects the energy efficiency of appliances such as the HVAC system. Therefore, the type of restoration glass used, sealants, and waterproofing membranes are utilized to improve energy use and enhance energy efficiency.  When a residential window becomes damaged, it is typically a task that the homeowner or landlord can tackle. Commercial glass damage is a tedious task that requires the work of professional glass restoration companies. Some commercial buildings are one story, while others are massive skyscrapers. The glass requires special skills, tools, and equipment.  Glass restoration companies breathe…

Read More
Jun 02 2022
0
bird_deterrent_spikes

Are Bird Spikes or Netting Better for Bird Deterrents in Commercial Buildings

By | Bird Proofing

Birds can be a nuisance to building and facility managers. Their droppings can lead to extensive damage creating costly repairs and restorations to the building and plaza deck systems. How can this problem be solved? There are many options for bird repellents. A significant factor in the decision-making process is ensuring birds’ safety is front and center.  According to Buildings.com, “Birds are more than just flying animals; they are vital to ecological well-being across the globe. Birds are some of nature’s most able cleaners. One vulture, for example, is responsible for over $10,000 worth of waste removal. They are also massive contributors to pest control. Birds eat 400 to 500 million tons of insects every year. As such, they protect crops and help keep pest populations in check.” Birds are vital to the environmental ecosystem, which must building owners and managers must consider when selecting the best bird repellent for their structures. Below are some of the core considerations when choosing which bird deterrent devices to use.  Spike Bird Deterrent Pros Bird spikes are commonly used bird repellents and see great success. They are used to deter birds from landing in certain areas, hanging around, and creating nests. Some pros to bird deterrent spikes are: Installation is simple and quick. Typically made of metal, the lifespan of bird spikes is long. Bird spikes offer a versatile location selection for use on nearly any surface. They are environmentally friendly. Spikes are harmless to birds and humans when installed correctly.  Spike Bird…

Read More
Jun 01 2022
0
re-brand

Valcourt Group’s Evolution Continues with New Sub-brand Logo, Strategic Branding Initiative

By | News

The Woodlands, TX—The Valcourt Group, leaders in exterior building maintenance, restoration, waterproofing, and window cleaning, today unveiled a new sub-brand logo and strategic branding initiative that unifies and amplifies the identity of all businesses within the group. A merger between Valcourt Building Services and the JOBS Group in 2021 formed the Valcourt Group, expanding the organization’s service offering, employee base, and geographic footprint. In February 2022, the company announced a new executive team and unveiled the evolution of the Valcourt brand. Today its sub-brand businesses will begin using elements of the new brand including the logo. “The new logo will bring visual consistency to all the sub-brand businesses under the Valcourt Group umbrella, said CEO Eric Crabb. “It will also further unite us in our endeavor to be the undisputed national leader in specialty building services with the highest reputation for technical expertise, safety, and client service.” There are 16 sub-brands under the Valcourt Group umbrella: A1 Orange Exterior Building Services AMST April Building Services April Waterproofing & Restoration EDS Waterproofing & Restoration EV-Air-Tight HSG JOBS Building Services JOBS Safety Systems JOBS Waterproofing & Restoration Martin’s Window Cleaning Corporation Scottie’s Building Services Scottie’s Safety Systems Sightline Valcourt Building Services Valcourt Safety Systems “This re-branding initiative strengthens the Valcourt Group as it illuminates our mindset of ‘one culture and one team atmosphere,’ as well as our capability to be a single-source provider. Together, our businesses are capable of servicing all of our clients’ building surfaces,” Crabb said. ABOUT THE VALCOURT GROUP…

Read More

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.

© Copyright | HSG Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Site by Sixty Five Design