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…
Bird pest control services are necessary for nearly every building to prevent structural degradation, safety dangers, and health threats to both people and birds. While it’s ideal for constructing a bird-safe and a bird proofing building from the start, knowing how to retrofit structures with bird-proofing features is always beneficial. According to Buildings.com, “By far, glass is the leading culprit behind the danger of buildings. For every additional 10% of glass coverage, bird strikes go up another 19%. And as glass buildings continue to fill the skylines, bird deaths will only go up. However, make no mistake, high-rise buildings are not the main culprit. Buildings that are 10 stories and under account for the vast majority of collisions. In fact, 44% of all building-caused bird fatalities occur with those less than four stories tall.” Today’s building owners are conscious of how their buildings impact local wildlife, including birds. Yet, they may still struggle to find the right strategy to reduce the impact of birds on their patrons and visitors. Furthermore, proper bird control is a greater part of pest control, particularly among insects, and it’s more complicated than the traditional pest control strategies. After all, a multi-story building will lead to safety issues and additional challenges that may occur. Fortunately, following a few tips can help a building’s owners and managers safely and effectively improve bird pest control and pest control bird removal. 1. Install Bird Pest Control Devices Building owners and facility managers have expressed severe reservations about using…
Building owners and facility managers have implemented bird proofing services into their facilities management tasks. Building bird proofing services are required on virtually every building to prevent structure deterioration, safety hazards, and health risks to humans and also to the birds themselves. You might be asking yourself, “what is bird proofing?” When someone hears the phrase “bird proofing,” bird safety may not be the first thought that comes to mind. However, it is a major concern to building managers and occupants and its impact on the ecology of the area. With the growing concern and attention drawn to bird safety, “bird-safe material is dropping in cost, and it has already been shown to be economically viable in new projects. In fact, in many cases, opting for bird-safe designs accounts for less than 1% of total costs. And as more attention is brought to the importance of bird-safe buildings, expect these prices to continue falling”, according to Building.com. What Are Bird Proofing Building Services? Building owners and facility managers are taking steps to eradicate bird concerns within building management. Birds pose a plethora of health and safety concerns and can cause millions of dollars in damage to the building plaza deck system, facades, roofs, and walkways. What is bird proofing? Bird proofing services are an essential component of building care that cannot be ignored. Effective bird proofing services will protect the occupants, birds, and surrounding environment. Signs That a Building Needs Bird Proofing: Clogged Ventilation – HVAC and chimney ventilation is…
A stadium is a tiered structure for people to observe an event. Without proper stadium concrete repairs and maintenance, the safety of observers is at risk and therefore cannot be overlooked or ignored. Even flashing on roofs or other items can lead to premature wear and tear. Maintaining and repairing stadium concrete will enhance the structure’s appearance, overall structural integrity, and the safety of patrons. A 2022 article on TileLetter.com says that the new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers is the “first open-air, indoor-outdoor stadium constructed with more than 70,000 seats, including 260 luxury suites, with expansion capabilities that will accommodate up to 100,000 guests.” SoFi Stadium is an indoor and outdoor facility that needs routine and preventative stadium concrete repairs to maintain the life and longevity of the structure. Early detection of problems saves money and prevents the need for a complete replacement. Below are some of the most common implemented maintenance tips for stadium repairs. Replacement of Spalling Concrete Concrete is constantly exposed to the weather and free-thaw cycles. These cycles decrease the structural longevity of concrete. It creates spalling, which can indicate more serious issues. The damaged concrete needs to be removed immediately and replaced with new concrete. Applying sealers and waterproofing membranes will increase the life of the product. This is a stadium waterproofing solution that is requisite to the longevity of the stadium. Rebar Coatings to Reduce Damage The wet and dry cycle of the environment will eventually cause corrosion of steel…
Stadiums are structures used for sports and other events and feature many cement floors subjected to extreme wear and tear and exposure to climate fluctuations. With the constant flow of foot traffic of spectators, personnel, and athletes, stadiums are built to withstand the test of time with essential stadium maintenance. However, problems can arise without proper reinforcement, repair of stadiums, correct installation, and routine maintenance. An article in The Dallas Morning News discusses an improperly installed $20 million stadium project in McKinney, Texas. It states that “the cracks are a combination of three factors. Too much water was added to the concrete mixture, which caused the concrete to shrink excessively as it dried. The cross-section along pier lines didn’t have enough concrete. And investigators said the area had insufficient steel reinforcing to control the cracking shrinkage.” There are many causes of structure degradation, and there are also many ways to prevent these issues. Understanding the technicalities of concrete, reinforcements, and waterproofing is vital to the longevity of a stadium structure. What Causes Stadium Structural Degradation Many factors can cause rapid degradation of stadium structures, especially when subjected to heavy foot traffic and constant exposure to the elements. These spaces can be damaged easily by a lack of routine maintenance, proper waterproofing, and incorrect concrete repair. Exposure to climate changes and moisture means that proper waterproofing is a must. Without adequate waterproofing, water can seep through cracks in concrete and cause extensive damage to all structure parts. Another major contributing factor…
Waterproofing world-class stadiums and stadium structural maintenance management make up crucial components that ensure the safety of fans, players, and employees. Stadium structures consist of concrete and steel, constantly exposed to the elements and high traffic. These factors can compromise structural integrity, requiring stadium maintenance, restoration, and repair. Everything from the stadium roof structure to the support beams to the flooring needs careful maintenance and upkeep. According to IbisWorld.com, “Over the five years to 2021, demand for the Sports Stadium Construction industry improved, as funding for industry projects increased in light of the recovering economy. Industry operators build, renovate and maintain sports stadiums, arenas and fields. Increasing incomes have caused government tax receipts to grow, leading to higher funding for educational and commercial institutions.” The report noted, “Moreover, the economic recovery has also caused sports franchise industry revenue to grow, which when combined with growing public funds, caused demand for large professional sports stadiums to rise as well. Therefore, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 1.7% to $12.3 billion over the five years.” This growth puts an even greater demand on the maintenance of stadium structures. The longevity of your facility requires a regular, consistent maintenance plan that is tailored to your building and includes all of the numerous factors that play into the stadium’s life expectancy. Below are some tips on maintaining and waterproofing world-class stadiums to help reduce the need for frequent repairs and reconstruction. Why Waterproofing Is Vital for Stadium Maintenance and…
The ability of plaza deck systems to provide waterproofing protection and extend concrete life is its most essential feature. Its two main components—concrete and steel—provide stability, strength, and integrity. Moisture infiltration can cause either of these to fail, which would result in instability of the commercial roof deck systems. Plaza deck systems consist of commercial waterproofing membranes that provide protection and are also flexible, allowing movement of the building. Plaza deck systems can be on rooftops, a floating deck room, ground level, or even below ground level. Most are concrete; however, some can have additional metal or commercial composite decking materials depending on the design. Plaza deck systems can completely transform a building or even an unused city block. The city of El Paso, Texas, is creating a green and recreational plaza deck system built over the I-10 downtown corridor. According to ElPasoMatters.org, it will “include green spaces with trees and parks and could link active transportation infrastructure like the El Paso Streetcar to the Paso del Norte Trail.” Below is a guide to plaza deck details to help you create a plaza deck system and exterior maintenance with as much prestige and attractiveness as possible. What Is a Plaza Deck? A plaza deck system is a concrete construction that serves as a roof and a floor for a public space. Plaza deck systems are at or above ground level. Commercial roof deck systems provide a public green space area that is open to pedestrians and, in some cases, automobiles….
To increase the curb appeal of your property, maintaining your commercial plaza to its fullest potential is vital. The use of plaza decks can completely transform a space. They can be at ground level, on rooftops, or even below ground level. Plaza decks create a communal space for building occupants, making a higher return on investment than a building without this additional space. Depending on the source, there is a strong ROI of more than 500% for building preventative maintenance. Routine and preventative maintenance and concrete repair will extend the life of your plaza deck. Early diagnosis of issues will save money and avoid the need for a total replacement. Below are typical commercial plaza repairs that you will encounter. Sheet Waterproofing Systems Sheet waterproofing systems protect your commercial plaza, subjected to the harshest weather and water conditions. They are dependable and long-lasting solutions for waterproofing commercial buildings. Being able to resist extreme situations is vital for complete protection. Every building has components that need to be protected from the elements. Therefore every building needs commercial waterproofing services. Because plaza decks preserve the structure and the space below, extra care must be taken when choosing the commercial waterproofing system. Whichever system you choose, it must have waterproof seams and flashing, be tough and puncture-resistant, and should also be resistant to root growth. Building owners need to know a few things about the different sheet waterproofing systems and their uses or value in making commercial plaza repairs. Hot-Applied Versus Cold Fluid-Applied…
A plaza deck is a concrete structure that functions as a roof and a floor. As the deck receives exposure to all weather conditions, it is critical to perform routine maintenance and repairs that will prolong the functionality and life of the deck. If the waterproofing components are damaged, there could be a water leak in the commercial space below. As winter winds down and spring begins, the more significant problems and costs of poor commercial building maintenance will come to light. Over the winter, reports Insureon, “snow and ice accumulation on your business’s roof can result in weakened roofing materials and create ‘ice dams,’ which prevent melted ice and snow from properly draining. Regularly remove snow and ice from your business’s roof to prevent structural damage. Know your roof’s load-bearing capacity, and periodically check to ensure that snow and ice aren’t accumulating beyond its weight limits.” Below are vital tips for building managers for deck roofing solutions. 1. Regularly Clean Your Commercial Deck With the Proper Agents Clean the plaza deck routinely to remove dirt, mildew, and other build-ups. Clear the area of any debris, dust, or objects, including weeds. This level of care will restore your concrete decking and improve the structure’s aesthetics. A clean space is inviting to guests and creates an overall sense of comfort. When cleaning your commercial deck, choose the right chemicals to avoid damaging the structure. There are multiple cleaning solutions options. Enlist a professional with the knowledge and experience to provide optimal…
Elevators are an essential part of any building. Elevator interior cab upgrades can change the entire feel of your structure. With an upgraded finish, a client will feel a sense of security and comfort from the moment they walk in. Avoid costly mistakes by hiring a professional specializing in elevator cab interior upgrades. Keeping these changes within a client’s budget is crucial, from functionality to aesthetics. Many upgrades can be expensive; however, it is possible to update without surpassing the budget. Below are five ways to reduce costs when upgrading your elevator. 1. Know Your Budget and Its Limits for All Elevator Cab Interior Upgrades Knowing the budget for your custom elevator interior is vital. Set a maximum limit and communicate it to your contractor. Knowing the budget and limitations will allow contractors to decipher which materials and finishes to use on the project. Contractors will provide an itemized estimate of what upgrades will cost. In turn, individuals have the freedom to decide what and what not to invest in at the time. 2. Take Core Considerations of What Type of Elevator Cab Finish Is Best It is essential to know what type of finishing is needed for practicality and aesthetics. Carefully considered upgrades will help achieve the overall goal of the project. Consider several elevator cab interior upgrades, such as steel, wood, and laminated steel. No matter which refinishing option building owners and managers select, they must always take safety seriously. The finish must be durable, safe, and meet…