The Role of Commercial Property Maintenance in Promoting Sustainability

It might seem like a reach, linking property maintenance to sustainability. However, how and why it is performed certainly plays a role. A professionally manicured and always clean property can be achieved using sustainability guided practices. Plus, multiple environmental benefits come from taking care of commercial property exteriors.

A lot of material is used in the construction of strip malls, retail outlets, supermarkets, warehouses, office buildings, condos and hospitals for example. And crumbling or deteriorating walls, sidewalks, gutters, windows and siding on these properties are just as bad for the environment as they are for your pocketbook.

Additionally, a lot of resources are used to clean and maintain commercial properties. Considering the sheer sizes of many of these, environmentally conscious decisions must be made for these procedures as well as for their clean-up. For example, when Always Clean is called upon for commercial property maintenance, the choices we make in our processes prioritize environmentally friendly practices. And when we’re done, we adhere to municipal regulations regarding the disposal of waste water and hazardous materials.

From start to finish, we promote sustainability in all aspects of the jobs we perform when caring for a commercial property. Let’s take a closer look.

Sustainability promotion in property maintenance

• Avoiding damage - keep surfaces clean and well-maintained to avoid degradation and waste

• Pressure/Power Washing - choose the right pressure, technique, temperature, cleaning solution and cleanup

• Window Cleaning - let more light in to reduce heating bills

• Gutter Cleaning - keep gutter system running to avoid blockages and water damage

• Property Maintenance - keep garbage and green areas clean to deter pests

• Parking Lot Line Painting - upgrade painted areas to keep paint chips from soil and water

Avoiding damage

It’s no surprise that damage to properties due to neglect or missed maintenance has environmental consequences. When exterior surfaces are left to the elements, organic substances build up until decay sets in. The result is crumbing brick and concrete, rotting wood, and rusting metal. All of which must be taken to local landfill and be replaced by new materials. The waste of these resources is mitigated by regularly scheduled cleaning and maintenance. Ideally, a professional team would come in to clean away organic build-up using proper techniques for each surface. They would also be able to spot small issues and deal with them before they blossom into more serious problems.

Pressure/Power washing

Sustainability practices when pressure washing or power washing are manifold. It means paying attention to water use, both before and after. That means using the lowest pressure that will get the job done. This saves water and avoids potentially damaging surfaces, particularly those with evident deterioration already. Power washing uses hot water which is ideal for oils and grease. Choosing the correct temperature for the job conserves energy.

Sustainability also means using biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products. Furthermore, our technicians ensure waste products and waste water are disposed of in the correct way at all times, and in accordance with city bylaws.

When we’re done, your property will look brighter and like-new! And you can feel good knowing it was done in the most efficient, environmentally friendly way possible.

Window cleaning

An interesting fact about dirty windows is that they let less light in and this affects heating bills. Given that our heating costs are very expensive this year, a commercial property can use all the help it can get. Hire a professional maintenance crew to clean your windows so the sun can do some of the heating and take some pressure off your wallet. Always Clean Maintenance cleans windows on commercial buildings and low-rise units up to 5 stories. We use biodegradable soaps and soft-washing techniques to leave your windows sparkling, streak-free and crystal clear. Hello, sun!

Gutter cleaning

Gutter cleaning is another important, time-consuming task that involves water and cleaning solutions. As with other cleaning jobs, managing water use, waste management, and using non-toxic soap are musts as sustainable practices. At the same time, safety is imperative. Make sure anyone doing the job is properly trained and equipped with appropriate safety gear. Always Clean Maintenance technicians are trained in proper gutter cleaning techniques, as well as, WorkSafe Fall Safe Protection and the correct use of safety harnesses.

Property Maintenance

Property maintenance covers a lot of areas, from garbage management to landscape maintenance. These tasks improve curb-appeal and keep your property looking pristine.

However they also promote sustainability by deterrence. For example, by keeping garbage areas clean, leaves raked, and hedges and garden beds trimmed and tidy, rodents and other pests are deterred. Cleaning like this eliminates the use of toxic chemicals (poisons) to keep pests at bay. It also lowers the risk of fires which pollute the air and seriously damage property. And it helps keep your plants healthy.

Parking Lot Line Painting

Parking lot lines break down over time, leaving paint to chip and flake and enter our soil and waterways. Keep these areas well-looked after to avoid toxic effects to our environment. Additionally, maintaining clean lines and well identified stalls shows your visitors that you care about your property. They also provide greater visibility, improved safety, business identification and professional curb appeal.
Always Clean Maintenance has been proudly providing sustainable property maintenance services to commercial and residential properties throughout the Greater Vancouver Region and the Fraser Valley for over 20 years. We’d love to hear from you! 604-789-1256