Springtime Cleaning  Guide for Commercial Properties

Spring is the season for renewal, and spring cleaning tops everyone’s list. Yet, this tradition isn’t just reserved for homes – it should also include commercial properties. Office spaces, warehouses, and places of work in general need as much TLC as anything else to ensure longevity, curb appeal and more.

Ready to give your commercial property a thorough health check and check springtime cleaning off your list? Before you begin, keep reading to learn eight pro tips for nailing your commercial building cleaning checklist and welcome spring, knowing your property investment is in tip-top shape and secure for the season.

Assess the Property for Signs of Winter Damage

The first item on your commercial property cleaning list should be to thoroughly assess the entire building and surrounding areas for signs of winter damage. Doing so will help guide your list and help you organize your commercial building cleaning checklist in order of priority.

Your property assessment should include all interior and exterior surfaces, including walls, floors, stairs, parking lot, and roof. Be sure to check windows, HVAC, and electrical as well. It shouldn’t take too long, and it will give you an idea of what areas to focus on before tackling the next. For example, landscaping work should happen after building and parking lot maintenance to avoid damage to newly pruned areas.  

Pressure Wash High Traffic Areas

Pressure washing, also commonly called power washing, uses high-pressure water spray to remove loose paint, mold, grime, dust, mud, and dirt from surfaces and objects. Pressure washing high traffic areas and building exteriors is the best way to renew these surfaces, and the results are nothing short of magical.

Areas commonly treated with pressure washing during commercial property cleaning include building exteriors, stairwells, sidewalks, driveways, patios, outdoor equipment, outdoor furnishings (that are waterproof), and parking lots. Pressure washing is essential if you plan to repaint exterior surfaces.

Restriping Parking Lot

Your commercial property’s parking lot is often the first thing people see, and the difference between a well-maintained parking lot and one that isn’t is striking. High vehicle and pedestrian traffic and exposure to the elements can fade parking stripes over time, and restriping helps keep the area looking pristine.

Additionally, restriping your parking area maintains essential safety functions like communicating who has the right of way, indicating areas to avoid and where vehicles must stop, and designating fire lanes. Clear, well-defined parking lot lines are ADA compliant and allow patrons to safely maneuver and park in an organized manner.

Repair Any Existing Roof Damage

A building roof is often forgotten or overlooked during commercial building exterior cleaning, so be sure and include it on your list. Like death and taxes, roof deterioration is unavoidable. Annual roof maintenance will save you time and money. After all, repairing cracks and missing shingles is far less expensive than replacing the entire roof.

Landscaping Repairs

Landscaping is the window dressing for your building. However, it will detract from the overall appearance of the exterior aesthetic if it’s not regularly tended, which includes repairs to damaged areas. In addition to mowing/weeding, some repairs to consider are laying fresh mulch, aerating and seeding or overseeding, fixing damaged bushes and trees by trimming or replanting, and touching up bed liners and fences.

Also, don’t forget to check sprinklers systems for damage and leaks. Since the bulk of your watering will occur during the spring and summer months, this is the time to ensure the irrigation system is working correctly.

Repaint Any Damaged Surface

Repainting damaged surfaces is an item on your commercial building exterior cleaning checklist that serves a dual purpose. Not only will surfaces get an upgrade, but any holes or cracks will be filled or patched. Chipped, cracked, or peeling paint makes surfaces look old and dingy, and a fresh coat of paint is the easiest way to remedy the situation.

HVAC Maintenance

HVAC maintenance is often a critically overlooked item with commercial building cleaning. Regular HVAC maintenance includes replacing filters, cleaning vents and ducts, and ensuring the equipment is clear of debris. Like a roof, regular maintenance of HVAC systems is preferable to costly replacements.

In areas of the country where winters are harsh, HVAC units lie dormant for months, making quarterly checkups (which is the recommendation) critically important. The last thing you need or want is to have the air conditioning go out during sweltering July heat!

Reapply Epoxy Flooring Where Needed

Epoxy floor coatings are highly durable and impact-resistant, making them popular for industrial facilities, such as warehouses, logistic centers, and other areas that endure forklifts and heavy machinery traffic. Although there is no rule on when you should recoat an epoxy floor, a good indication is when the surface loses its shine. Since reapplying epoxy floor coatings can be a labor and time-intensive project, consider how the timing may affect the other items on your commercial building cleaning checklist.

Spring ushers in renewed traffic for most businesses, making it the perfect time to knock out commercial property cleaning and maintenance. Not only are you putting your best foot forward for customers and employees, but you are also ensuring the longevity of your commercial investment.

PPD Painting can help with several items on your springtime cleaning checklist, like professional painting and floor coating applications. We’ve been servicing Chicago and Cincinnati businesses for over 15 years, and we are widely recognized for efficient, responsive, and high-quality service.

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