Post-construction cleanup can mean a few different things, depending on the nature of the tenant improvements and the obligations of the builder. But whatever the scenario, the bottom line is that a facility needs to get back to normal for business to resume.

Some contractors have been known to leave large items at a construction site. These can be pallets, cement blocks, discarded wood, demolition debris, piles of dirt, and things you cannot imagine. It will happen more often than you think. If your construction contract does not spell out who cleans the mess, you have a problem on your hands.

Your first instinct may be to assign the cleanup to the janitorial crew, if you have one. Construction cleanup falls beyond the scope of regular janitorial, so you probably need another plan. When considering an outside company, find one that offers a full range of services and can get the job done quickly. Wasted time can seriously impact when you get back to business fulltime.

Maybe you hired the one general contractor who cleaned up everything. That’s great, but you still have a long way to go before passing the white glove test. Drywall dust can coat every surface, from floor to ceiling and requires a meticulous cleaning team. Unprotected flooring can require extensive cleaning or restoration. Stray screws can wreak havoc on beautiful hardwood floors or car tires in the parking lot. Landscape greenery can suffer from dust or trampling. Trash collection areas and dumpsters can be damaged from hard use.

At the time that you hire a construction cleanup company, you might not even know the final condition of the property. That is why it is important to hire a company that has experience and skill in all of these areas: construction, construction cleanup, janitorial, hauling, landscaping, floor care, pressure washing, hardscape, trash zones, and facility maintenance.

Here are just some of the services that have been required during post-construction cleanup:

• Power wash exteriors and paved surfaces
• Haul away lumber and debris
• Clean entryways and elevators
• Clean walls and remove scuff marks
• Dust ceilings, light fixtures, and ceiling fans
• Clean wall trim, baseboards, and molding
• Wipe all door surfaces and hardware
• Deep clean carpets, grout, and hard surface floors
• Clean windows, sills, tracks and frames
• Scour restroom fixtures and facilities
• Remove trash, plastic covers, and stickers
• Resurface and restripe parking lot
• Rehabilitate landscape
• Sanitize indoor environments
• Prepare for move-in and tenant readiness

Cleaning drywall dust, adhesive residue, and other construction byproducts requires special handling. You want to make sure that the company you contract with for construction cleanup uses personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard employees and tenants. A reputable company will also provide proof of bonding, licensing, and insurance.

Besides planned construction, other events can lead to construction activity which may require cleanup. These include a natural disaster, mass protest, and break-in. When demand suddenly skyrockets, it is ideal if you already have a working relationship with a company that can handle your emergency needs. Contracting janitorial or dayporter services with a company that can also respond effectively to emergency situations is one solution.

One company that provides regular facility maintenance services, specialized construction cleanup, and emergency recovery is CAM Property Services. The company handles more than 1,300 commercial properties in California.

They are an ideal solution for your daily property needs while also offering a full range of services to complete whatever custom projects your facility may need. If you would like to start working with one of the industry’s best, call CAM Property Services now at 800-576-3050

IMPROVE SATISFACTION & COMPLIANCE:

CLEAN THAT TRASH CHUTE

Daily trash output increases more than twenty-five percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to some estimates. Consider all of the extra food waste, party cleanups, and packaging that gets thrown into the burgeoning trash bin, just like a portly Santa Claus squeezing down the chimney.

Bulky packaging often clogs the chute and blocks the clean flow of garbage into the bin. Then food waste piles on top and splashes along the walls in an oozing mess. Or the trash accumulates so high that garbage blocks the chute. These are all common problems that occur this time of year.

High-rise commercial properties and multifamily residences are the worst offenders. Irregular holiday trash pickups and facility staff vacation schedules compound the problem. If left unchecked, these sanitation problems can create cascading issues for property managers.

Here are some of the top reasons why professionally servicing your trash chute is highly recommended, especially at the beginning of the year.

KEEP PESTS AWAY

Trash chutes are the perfect breeding ground for pests. Cockroaches, flies, maggots, mice, rats, raccoons, and all kinds of other pests thrive in dirty trash environments. These conditions offer everything pests need: food, humidity, darkness, privacy, and accessibility. Roaches and rodents can even use filthy chutes to climb from floor to floor, taking their infestation to a higher level. At the lower level, the area immediately around a dirty trash bin can become a breeding ground for these pests. In no time, a building could be facing a full-blown infestation.

PREVENT ODORS FROM SPREADING

There are more than 30 types of bacteria and biological growths that commonly occur in uncleaned trash chutes. These growths and other accumulated waste thrown down the chute can lead to repulsive odors that permeate the building. Occupants will soon be dealing with the lingering smell of dirty trash. 

DAMAGE CONTROL

If neglected, some trash chutes can start to show serious damage. Corrosive bacteria and acids can line the walls of a dirty trash chute. These elements can destroy protective finishes and weaken fasteners, leading to structural damage of the chute. Not only will you be dealing with pests and odor, but you will eventually have to replace the chute. Regulations also require properly functioning discharge doors, which limit the spread of odors and serve as fire breaks between floors. 

IMPROVE AIR QUALITY

While smell can be an indicator, unclean garbage chutes can create poor air quality throughout a building. Airborne spores and mold can develop in this environment and spread from floor to floor with each opening of a chute door. Toxic conditions can lead to illness among building occupants and visitors. Also consider tenant satisfaction and occupancy retention. Less tenant turnover leads to higher operating income for property companies.

UPHOLD SAFETY

Damaged chute doors are a common problem, especially among older buildings. Doors that do not close completely can offer a permanent passageway to unwanted odors, molds, and pests. Unclosed chute doors can also create fire hazards and leave your building vulnerable to safety code violations and fines. NFPA 82 requires an annual inspection and certification of chute intake and discharge doors.

Since 1987, CAM Property Services has provided a full range of building and common area maintenance for customers throughout California. Professional trash chute services include free inspections, steam cleaning, high-pressure washing, chute repair, full replacement, door maintenance, eco-friendly enzyme solutions, innovative odor blockers, and industry safe practices.

After a month of especially hard use, now is the time to refresh your building’s trash facilities. Call the property professionals now at CAM Property Services to discuss and evaluate your specific cleaning needs.