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24 Expert Tips to Prepare Your Commercial Property for Winter
Commercial property and facility managers have a tough job. When problems arise in a building, it’s up to property managers and facilities managers to get issues fixed – and quickly.
That’s why preventative maintenance is so important – especially this time of year. Winter weather can wreak havoc on a facility, so preparing your facility now is the biggest key to avoiding a costly disaster that disrupts business.
How to Winterize Your Company’s Facility
With this planning period now upon us, we asked 15 property and facility managers to share their top recommendations for winterizing their commercial property to keep their facilities running smoothly during the colder months. The following, is what they shared with us.Check Your HVAC.
Staying on top of your HVAC unit was the most recommended tip from property management experts. Here’s what they had to say:
1. “Inspect and insure that all HVAC systems are in good operation, in both occupied and vacant spaces. Theses inspections should be included in the preventative maintenance program.”
– Dede Scott, Asst. Vice President – Colliers International
2. “We prepare the HVAC systems for winter most importantly.”
– Holly Sparks, Operations Manager – Realty Trust Group
3. “Regular routine maintenance of HVAC systems prevents an array of issues.”
– Donna Wheeler, Sr. Property Manager – Cushman & Wakefield
4. “Have preventative maintenance completed on HVAC units.”
– Lynn Sugg, Managing Director – Cushman & Wakefield
5. “Make sure your systems are prepared for the season, ie. test freeze stats in air handlers.”
– Chad Lovell, Chief Engineer – Jones Lang LaSalle
Be proactive and plan ahead.
We mentioned this at the beginning of the article, but a number of our experts reiterated the importance of planning ahead to help prevent potential maintenance issues.
6. “Have a plan for cold weather operation to prevent freeze ups, and take care of issues quickly, no matter how small, before they become major problems.”
– Kent Smith, Chief Property Manager and Engineer – Boyle Nashville, LLC
7. “Consistent preventative maintenance on a regular schedule helps prevent unnecessary repair bills.”
– JC Blakely, Director Corporate Facilities – PICA
8. “With the multitude of tasks and details required to maintain a building, it is difficult to remember all that is necessary and easy to be distracted by unexpected situations. My best tip is to develop a preventative maintenance program with weekly tasks lists that can be checked off. This will help everyone stay on track and maintain consistency.”
– Crystal Waller, Sr. Property Manager – Highwoods Properties
9. “Be proactive with preventive maintenance. Get on a schedule and stick to it.”
– Ken Eckert, Facility Manager – Metro Knoxville Airport Authority
10. “Check steam traps in your heating system for proper function.”
– Chad Lovell, Chief Engineer – Jones Lang LaSalle
11. “[The most important thing we do is] scheduling and performing preventative maintenance on all furnaces to make sure all are working properly.”
– Kevin Jones, Chief Engineer – CB Richard Ellis
12. “Have a plan in place especially on mechanical systems and have an experienced maintenance staff.”
– Holly Sparks, Operations Manager – Realty Trust Group
Plan For Snow, Before It Snows
If you’re in a part of the country where it has the potential to snow, it pays to pay attention to it now.13. “We address snow removal early, doing everything possible to prevent slips and falls.”
– Kent Smith, Chief Property Manager and Engineer – Boyle Nashville, LLC
14. “Order your ice melt and renew your snow & ice removal contract.”
– Keith Hargis, Global Facility Manager – Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.
15. “Prepare by pre-ordering salt for the exterior of the property.”
– Holly Sparks, Operations Manager – Realty Trust Group
Winterize Your Irrigation.
Frozen or bursting pipes is a facility manager’s worst nightmare. Checking irrigation can help you prevent problems.16. “Prepare for winterization of irrigation, process cooling water.”
– JC Blakely, Director Corporate Facilities – PICA
17. “Winterize all lawn sprinkler systems before the first freeze.”
– Ken Garrison, Sr. Facility Manager – CB Richard Ellis
18. “Water damage is costly. Winterizing water lines and frequently checking exposed pipes will save a lot of time and money.”
– Crystal Waller, Sr. Property Manager – Highwoods Properties
19. “Winterize the irrigation system.”
– Lynn Sugg, Managing Director – Cushman & Wakefield
Top Off Your Tanks
20. “Top [off] all the diesel fuel tanks, and keep your data center/server room UPS batteries maintained and your diesel generator tanks full. Everything runs on electricity.” – Jim Stoddard, Director of Global Data Center Support - ElavonSanitize The Flu
21. “Fall is Flu season. Focus on keeping people healthy and place hand sanitizers in strategic locations.”
– Crystal Waller, Sr. Property Manager – Highwoods Properties
Partner With Good People
22. “Purchase and maintain quality in all aspects of Facilities Management.”
– JC Blakely, Director Corporate Facilities – PICA
23. “Inspect the building and hire qualified service providers!”
– Keith Hargis, Global Facility Manager – Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.
24. “Preferred vendors who take ownership of and pride in the services they provide [is the top way to keep things running smoothly].”
– Trudy Dixon, Director of Property Management – Spectrum | Emery, Inc.
There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to maintaining all buildings and facilities – each space is unique in it’s own way. Not to mention, the budget, weather and wear in every location can vary drastically.
However, these several tips mentioned above are great considerations to keep in mind as you prepare your facility for winter. A little preparation now will help you prevent disaster later.
What do you do to prepare your facility for winter? Is there anything you would add to this list?
5 Reasons to Love the New DPM Care Website
We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly designed, fully renovated DPM Care website!
We are thrilled about this fresh new look because it does a better job of representing DPM Care and how we’re different from other carpet cleaning vendors.
Our longtime clients and colleagues will notice this shift in focus and functionality immediately – it offers unique and valuable content, showcases our company culture and values in all the right ways, and proves why DPM Care is the premiere thought-leader in the commercial carpet cleaning industry.
Not only is the site more attractive, but also it’s far more functional for our clients, colleagues and contacts. That’s why we’d like to walk you through a few of the ways this new site will benefit you.
Top Features of the New DPM Care Website
Here’s why we think you’ll love our new website:1. Our blog is packed with valuable information.
We’re just getting started with our brand new blog, but we’re excited to bring you regular tips to help you do your job better. Yes, we’ll be talking about carpet, floor and upholstery cleaning. Even though we love talking about carpet and flooring, we know that can get old! That’s why we’ll also be talking about other aspects of property and facilities management. We’re here to be a valuable resource to you.2. See The DPM Difference.
Our brand is built on absolute facts. Those facts are that our proprietary, patent-pending process removes more dirt and bacteria from your carpet, flooring and upholsteries in a faster, more sanitary way. Our new site shows how our technology, training and customer care makes DPM Care different than other commercial carpet cleaning companies. We’ve also launched a new video that helps showcase how DPM Care is different. We think you’ll love it! This is one of many videos that we will begin offering on our new YouTube Channel.3. Meet the people behind DPM Care.
Every business has a product they believe is worthy of their customers. But a product is only as good as the process and the people behind it. We believe our people are the best in the business and we are proud to show you why. Our new website showcases the awesome people that make up the DPM Care team in each of our locations. We’re excited to show you the people who make the difference for our clients each and every day.4. It offers easy mobile access.
This site is fully mobile responsive, which means it looks great no matter which device you use to check it out. If you’re on the go and need to find the number to our Atlanta location, jump online from your phone and you can click to call us. It’s that simple.5. Get your stain cleaned – FOR FREE!
Our patent-pending cleaning process can get out the stains no else can. We’ll get your carpet, tile, grout and upholstery looking better than you ever thought possible. Don’t believe us? We’d like to prove it to you! If you’ve got a stain that won’t come out or carpet that seems beyond repair, we’ll come clean it for you! Click here to request a free demo to see how we can deliver a higher degree of clean. Let us prove that we can deliver a higher degree of clean – It’s on our dime the first time! What do you think about our new website? We’d love to get your comments and feedback!The Story Behind the Red Carpet (and Two Other Famous Carpets)
Here at DPM, we’re used to spending hours on end meticulously observing and analyzing carpeting. After all, cleaning carpets is our business.
But on Sunday millions of Americans will be doing the same thing as they stare at the crimson strip of carpeting that Hollywood’s biggest stars will walk leading up to the 88th Annual Academy Awards.
The “red carpet” has become a time-honored tradition at award shows— perhaps none bigger than the Oscars. It may very well be the most famous carpet in the world.
That got us thinking, how did this tradition arise? Where does the red carpet come from? And are there other, more well-known carpets in the world?
Because we love exploring all things carpet-related, we decided to seek out the answers to these questions and share them with you here today.
Where Did the Red Carpet Come From—and What’s It Made Of?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the concept of the red carpet as a high-end welcome matt dates back to Ancient Greece with the play Agamemnon in 458 B.C. Flash forward a couple dozen centuries: In the early 1900s, the red carpet was adopted by the railroad industry to lead passengers to their train cars—which is said to have led to the birth of the phrase “red-carpet treatment”. The red carpet didn’t hit Hollywood until 1922 when it was used at the premiere of “Robin Hood”, and it wasn’t used at the Oscars until the 33rd awards ceremony in 1961. Supposedly, the “red” carpet was just chosen to serve the practical purpose of guiding stars from their cars to the entrance. For TV viewers, the carpet didn’t actually turn red until 1966 when the Oscars were broadcast in color for the first time.Here are some other notable facts and stats about the red carpet used at the Oscars:
- It’s approximately 16,500 square feet
- It’s made from continuous filament nylon (side note: nylon is used in 65% of the carpet sold in the U.S. primarily because of its durability)
- It takes two days to install the red carpet
- It’s replaced every two years
- It’s dyed with a blend of colors to make it look red on TV
- It’s sealed to prevent the color from degrading
Two Other Famous Carpets with Great Stories to Tell
Is the red carpet the most famous carpet of all time? That’s a tough call. While the term “red carpet” is familiar to most people, it doesn’t technically refer to a single, specific carpet. As we see above, even the red carpet used at the Oscars is replaced every two years. So it’s kind of a cheat. There are some other carpets that are more unique and recognizable with great stories behind them. Here are two that seem to come up repeatedly in answer to the question “what’s the world’s most famous carpet?”:The Ardabil Carpet in London
Image via The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Portland Airport Carpet
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Every Carpet Has a Story (and History) Behind It
Certainly the two carpets above are in the conversation for the world’s most famous, or at least most interesting, carpets. Both have great stories attached to them—as so many carpets do. That’s something fun to think about. When you’re watching the stars parade down the red carpet before the Oscars on Sunday just imagine if that carpet could talk what kind of stories it would tell.4 Reasons Hot Water Extraction is Bad for Your Carpet
Conventional wisdom tells us that water is a good thing for cleaning.
And it is!
But too much of anything, no matter how good, yields negative effects.
And that is exactly what we have found to be true about the process in which many corporate buildings and facilities are using to clean their carpet.
It’s called, “Extraction” and the process is best described on Wikipedia:
“The hot water extraction cleaning method uses equipment that sprays heated water, sometimes with added cleaning chemicals, on the carpet. Simultaneously, the water is vacuumed up, along with any dislodged and dissolved dirt. Many carpet manufacturers recommend professional hot water extraction as the most effective carpet cleaning method.”
Extraction is widely considered to be the preferred carpet cleaning method, but there are a number of reasons why the process has become outdated - and in many cases, harmful to your carpet.
THE PROBLEM WITH HOT WATER EXTRACTION
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It uses too much water.
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It takes too much time to dry.
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It further contaminates carpet.
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It can cause long-term damage.
DPM Care Offers a Better Carpet Cleaning Method
Since 1995, DPM Care has grown to meet this growing need of property managers, facility managers and owners who want and need a cleaner environment, longer lasting carpet and better results from their maintenance investment. After years as a carpet mill representative, I saw this problem first-hand, as the majority of claims submitted were directly maintenance related, caused by the shortcomings of hot water extraction. Believing that a better technology and process could be developed, we spent two years with DPM Care’s chemical and engineering team to develop our low-moisture, polymer enhanced cleaning system.DPM Care vs. Hot Water Extraction Cleaning
The DPM Care process uses 399% less water than extraction. And that difference is dramatic. To illustrate the differences between the DPM Care cleaning method and hot water extraction, we created this infographic to demonstrate a clear, concise head-to-head comparison:
We can beat your clean.
The graphic above offers very conservative numbers for how much water extraction uses. Oftentimes, it is much much more. To experience the DPM difference for yourself, request a FREE DEMO - We’d love to show you that our approach will offer you a higher degree of clean.Can Clean Carpet Keep Your Office From Getting Sick?
It’s cold and flu season in the United States. And, if you’re like a lot of folks I know, you start using more hand sanitizer and taking extra vitamins to avoid getting sick.
And, if you’re an employer, you might be looking for creative ways to keep your team healthy. After all, a sick workforce can have a huge impact on your bottom line.
One way to improve air quality and reduce sickness?
Carpet.
Yes, carpet.
There is a common myth surrounding carpet’s effect on the air around us. You may have heard, like many, that carpeting reduces indoor air quality, but based on the findings of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), scientific fact proves the contrary:
“Carpet is better for indoor air quality because it acts as a filter by trapping allergens and keeping them out of the breathing zone. In fact, there is no scientific study linking the rise of allergies and asthma to the use of carpet.”
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How Clean Carpet Improves Air Quality
A clean carpet is one of the best ways to improve the air quality in your office. If you have carpet in your office building, keeping it clean is the best way to eliminate the negative effects of bacteria and allergens – especially during this time of year. That’s why it’s important so partner with a carpet cleaner that is effective in remove everything from your carpet – not just the dirt you can see. At DPM Care, we don’t just clean your carpet; we neutralize 90% of all allergens, bacteria, and fungi in your environment using our Spectrum™ process, while significantly improving indoor air quality. Our SaniClean™ process takes green cleaning a step further, eliminating 99% of all microbial and organic contaminants in your carpet. Scientific testing proves it.
Let your carpet work hard for you! Vacuum your carpet regularly and take advantage of preventative cleaning to keep germs away from your office.
Your employees will thank you.
Want to achieve a higher degree of clean with your carpets? Request a free demo to see our proven process in action.Why You Need a Carpet Maintenance Program in Addition to Janitorial Services
Almost all business properties and corporate facilities are maintained by contracted janitorial services. Janitorial teams are typically scheduled nightly, weekly, or bi-monthly, with a deep clean performed periodically.
Regular janitorial services are essential for keeping your facility sanitary and maintaining its appearance. But when it comes to your carpet, are cleanings from janitorial teams enough to help you get the most from your carpet investment?
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Effective Carpet Maintenance
Most companies don’t realize what an asset they have in their carpet—especially new carpet. That’s because they don’t recognize the cost and value associated with replacing a building’s carpet (that is, until they have to replace it). Facility managers don’t see the need to allocate additional time, energy and resources to finding the best carpet maintenance solution if the carpet “looks okay” or has been replaced recently. It’s the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy. Usually they simply trust the task of carpet maintenance to the janitorial team. Most janitorial companies will vacuum carpets regularly with quarterly carpet cleanings also typically folded into their janitorial contracts. While janitorial teams do a good job keeping carpets looking good on a short-term basis, they generally don’t provide the type of carpet care you need if you want to preserve or extend the life of your carpet on a long-term basis.Benefits of a Carpet Cleaning Program to Compliment Your Janitorial Services
Janitorial companies are made up of general cleaning professionals—not carpet specialists. Because they are “jack of all trades”, they are not always the best equipped to give your carpet the specific care it needs. Here are two key reasons you should consider incorporating a carpet maintenance program in addition to your existing janitorial services:Ensure your carpet and your workplace stay healthy
Janitorial companies clean your carpet, but they don’t have defined carpet-cleaning programs focused on preventative maintenance to help maintain or extend the life of your carpet. That’s important for getting the most from your carpet investment. Most janitorial companies use extraction to clean the carpet—which can be bad for carpets because it uses too much water. This can cause an increase in the growth of microbial content and actually degrade your carpet over time. Another problem is if you wait to clean a building’s carpet until it looks “noticeably dirty”, at that point it has been unhealthy for weeks or months. A preventative maintenance program will help reduce the exposure of building occupants to chemical, biological and particulate contaminants, which can adversely affect air quality, human health, building finishes and systems, and the environment.Prevent future problems through customized care
Your janitorial team is focused on all-purpose cleaning—wiping windows, vacuuming, mopping, emptying trashcans, etc. They probably can’t tell you about different carpet fiber types or backing systems, and how cleaning affects them. You want a team of people who have a strong understanding of the ins and outs of your carpet and what needs to be done to preserve it. Janitorial teams typically don't have the knowledge or skills to remove hard-to-clean stains without damaging your floors or voiding your warranty. Most janitorial companies also have different subcontractors performing the work, which can lead to inconsistencies. When you're dealing with extraction, that could mean people going over the carpet multiple times—which can cause longer drying times, mildew, and even dry rot. A carpet maintenance program will work alongside your janitorial service provider to perform specialized services that require highly trained staff, special equipment, and proven chemistry.Preserve Your Carpet by Incorporating a Preventative Maintenance Program
While janitorial services are undoubtedly valuable, they don’t present property owners and facility managers with the complete peace of mind they need when it comes to carpet cleaning. If you don’t give carpeting the preventative care it needs, you can reduce the life of a carpet by years—which can ultimately cost your company thousands of dollars. The best strategy is to have a preventative carpet maintenance program in place in addition to the typical janitorial services you receive. This approach is the best way to protect your investment and, ultimately, extend the life of your carpet. At DPM, we developed an alternative to the widely used “extraction” process for cleaning carpets that works as a compliment to your janitorial staff. This process is scientifically proven to double the life of your carpet—saving you time and money, and improving the health of your workplace. The DPM difference is backed by science and over 400 clients throughout the southeast U.S. It’s time to get better care for your building’s carpet—Get your FREE Demo today!How Carpet Maintenance Can Save You Money
When most of us hear the word “maintenance” we immediately think of the word “money”. Maintenance often means more money out the door. But that’s not always the case - especially with carpet maintenance.
In fact, smart and strategic maintenance can actually save you money. By investing a little in keeping a product functioning at a high level, you can save yourself the high cost repair or replacement down the line.
That’s certainly the case with the carpeting in your facilities.
When it comes to carpeting, it’s all about gauging the short-term versus the long-term costs—which, unfortunately, too many companies just don’t do. As a result, they shell out a lot more money in the long haul than they need to.
Case Study: Carpet Life Cycle Cost Comparison
Here is a great example of the difference high-quality carpet maintenance can make on a company’s bottom line… A transportation company had more than 83,000 square feet of carpeting in their facility. They were using one of the nation’s most popular upholstery and carpet cleaning companies to regularly clean their carpets. After five years, they saw the need for new carpeting. But they didn’t have the budget available to do it at that time. So they brought in DPM Care to see if we could salvage the carpet. Not only were we able to restore the carpet, we created a customized maintenance program that enabled them to put off replacing the carpet until 2020—while still keeping it in good working and looking condition. This meant big cost savings for the client. As the graphic below shows, the client was on course to spend a total of $506,171 for installing and maintaining their carpet over 5 years (at an average cost of $101,234 a year). Thanks to our work to extend the life of their carpet with our maintenance program, they will instead spend a total of $597,715 on their carpet over 10 years (knocking the average cost down to $59,715 a year).
That’s the difference a quality maintenance program can have on your carpet and your budget.
How a Carpet Maintenance Program Saves You Money Over the Long Haul
It’s a simple equation: The longer a carpet lasts, the less it will cost you. A consistent maintenance program can extend the life of carpet by 5-10 years depending on the facility and traffic patterns. As illustrated above, that can add up to ten of thousands of dollars in savings a year. Unfortunately, many companies simply stick with standard janitorial services and don’t supplement them with a separate carpet maintenance program. As a result, their carpets don’t get the care they need and they suddenly find themselves faced with the major expense of carpet replacement. That’s the tricky thing about carpet — it may visually look clean, but damage can happen under the surface where abrasive soils get trapped. Once a traffic lane appears, the damage is irreversible.What does a maintenance program do for your carpet that standard janitorial cleaning does not?
At DPM Care, we use an exclusive system to get carpets cleaner—and keep them cleaner, longer, to save our clients money. How does our system help extend the life of your carpet? Here are a few ways:1. It uses low moisture so it won’t damage the carpet long term.
Moisture left in carpets after cleaning can be a big problem—leaving behind a filthy residue; leading to bacteria, germ build-up, and reappearing stains; and making your carpet more susceptible to future damage. To solve this problem, we spent two years developing a low-moisture chemistry to remove dirt and stains with a minimal amount of water and no residue left behind.2. Lifts the fibers with each cleaning to keep your carpet looking new.
By lifting the fibers in your carpet with every cleaning, we prevent your carpet from matting and traffic patterns appearing. Worn-down areas of carpet from traffic moving through on a daily basis are often a primary reason companies look to replace carpeting.3. Repairs, protects and prevents to stop problems before they occur.
Our FiberShield that we use with every cleaning forms a protective shield around fibers to prevents future stains. Our highly trained technicians also check the carpet for any potential problem areas and trim any carpet snags to prevent raveling. We want to stop problems before they develop. Combined, these efforts work to keep your carpeting in the best possible condition for the longest possible time. That’s something you just don’t get with janitorial services alone or competitive carpet cleaning services.The Bottom Line: Invest Today to Save Tomorrow
Maintenance of any product is all about being proactive. It’s about thinking ahead and preventing problems so you don’t have to deal with them down the roads. In the case of carpeting, problems can be very costly. Effective carpet maintenance will extend the life of your carpet so you don't have to replace it as often—which can significantly reduce your long-term capital expenditure. By spending a little today, you can save a lot tomorrow. Ready to find out how a quality carpet maintenance program can save your company money? Talk to DPM today. We’d love to show you!How to Keep the Carpet Clean in a Pet-Friendly Office
More companies are allowing employees to bring their pets to work. This is a rising trend we’ve been seeing in the offices we clean—and you may be seeing it in your offices too.
According to this CNBC report, 8% of U.S. workplaces now have a “bring your pet to work” policy—that’s up 3% from just 2013.
While taking your dog or cat with you to the office was almost unheard of only a decade ago, today it’s not uncommon to see furry friends wandering office hallways or lying under desks. There are good reasons for that.
Benefits of allowing employees to bring their pets to work include:- Less Stress – Research has found having pets around reduces stress. That translates to the office too—for both pet owners and their co-workers.
- Greater Productivity – Without having to worry about getting home to feed or let out a pet, many employees will work longer hours. Taking “play breaks” also helps keep employees energized.
- Closer Relationships – People bond over pets. As employees get to know each other’s pets, they also get to know each other better.
DPM Care has a pet friendly office, so I bring my dog, Bentley to work!
Of course, along with the benefits of having pets in the workplace also come some challenges. One of those challenges is the impact cats, dogs and other pets can have on your office carpet.
As many pet owners know, paws, claws and unexpected accidents can wreak havoc on carpeting—diminishing its appearance and creating the need for early restoration and replacement.
Fortunately, there are ways to allow pets in the workplace and preserve your carpet too. It just requires a little extra thought and planning.3 Tips for Preserving Carpeting When Employees Bring Their Pets to Work
The following are some actions you can take to keep your carpet in good shape:1. Spot clean accidents right away.
Act fast to prevent stains and permanent damage to your carpet. Use a spot cleaner with peroxide to clean and sanitize the carpet. DPM's Banish Plus is an excellent option for a spot cleaner.
2. Get the right kind of carpet.
If you will have pets at the office, it helps to have the right kind of carpet. You should plan for fluids. You want a carpet with a moisture barrier backing under the nylon. That allows you to better clean and sanitize the carpet. If you don't have that, the moisture will get into the backing and/or cushion and unpleasant odors will follow.3. Put some rules in place.
Dogs have to behave. Most of the offices DPM Care services have a “three strikes you're out” policy with dogs. So if your pet has a record of office trouble making, they lose their office privileges.
Carpet Cleaning for the Pet-Friendly Workplace
At DPM Care, we clean a lot of pet-friendly offices. Some examples include PetSafe in Knoxville, Tennessee (pictured throughout this post), and Mars and Nutro in Nashville. These are fantastic companies that value the benefits animals bring to the workplace.
In fact, one of the reasons they choose to work with us is because of our ability to safely and effectively address the carpet cleaning challenges of having pets in the workplace.
Steve Jackson, Facility Manager with PetSafe, talks about the effectiveness of DPM’s cleaning of their pet-friendly office.
“Their efforts have been valuable and keep cleanliness high and odor under control,” Steve said.
Advantages of the DPM method for offices with pet policies include:
Less Hair – We are able to get out a LOT of dog hair that vacuums don't pick up from your carpet.- Pet Safe – Our chemistry isn't dangerous to pets so you can deep clean your carpets without worry.
- Sanitization – Our chemicals sanitize your carpet, which is crucial in an office where pets may occasionally have accidents.
- Deodorization – Our system also neutralizes odor at the source to keep your offices from being overwhelmed by the scent of pet.
- Snag Repairs – With each cleaning, our technicians will look for and trim any carpet snags from frisky cats or dogs to prevent unraveling.
[Tweet "Having pets in the office can be a great thing, but don’t sacrifice your carpet in the process."]
A carpet-cleaning partner that understands the challenges that come with animals at work is the best way to clean and maintain your carpet. Plan, prepare and prevent to preserve your carpet investment for the long term!Meet the Facility Manager: Keith Hargis, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
At DPM Care, we are honored to work closely with incredible facility managers and property managers across the Southeast. And we know you have a tough job. Every company has unique needs. And it's your job to make sure your facility meets the demands of your team - which is no small task.
That's why we're excited to unveil a new series of blog posts highlighting the fantastic people we work with on a daily basis. We want to give property and facility managers some much-deserved attention for the work they do to keep their office buildings running smoothly.
To kick things off, we're starting with one of our longtime clients, Caterpillar Financial Services. Without further adieu, meet Keith Hargis and learn more about what it's like to be the global facilities manager at Cat Financial.
Meet Keith Hargis of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
What is your role as global facilities manager? As global facilities manager, I oversee facilities operations for the Financial Products Division of Caterpillar including the Caterpillar Financial Center building and Perimeter Place facility in Nashville as well as numerous offices located around the world. How big is your facility? 323,500 square feet What is the biggest challenge you face in your role? Budget constraints due to the challenging global economy. What is your best piece of advice to other facility managers?Don't get stressed. Remain calm and know that everything will work out!
How does having a clean building help your business?
Cleanliness is important on many levels including safety, appearance, health and professional and productive work environment for employees and visitors.
How does preventative maintenance create value for you, or your business?
Comparing the Top Commercial Carpet Cleaning Methods
If your research has left you scratching your head and wondering what the best commercial carpet cleaning method is, you’re not alone. It can be hard to sort through all of the information out there to determine the best choice for your carpet.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll explain how three of the most common commercial carpet cleaning methods work and tell you things about these methods that professional cleaning services don’t always reveal.
Comparison of Commercial Carpet Cleaning Methods
Here are the key pros and cons of the three most common commercial carpet cleaning methods available.
Dry (Powder) Method
Despite the name, the “dry” method isn’t actually completely dry. Before applying the powder, a chemical must be pre-sprayed that dampens the carpet. After that, the cleaning powder is applied and then vacuumed off.
Pros:
- Low moisture
- Effective stain removal
Cons:
- If system is not applied properly by allowing the pre-spray to dry completely, it can yellow the carpet.
- It can cause problems during future carpet replacement due to powder build up.
- Powder can create issues with HVAC systems and indoor air quality.
Steam Cleaning/Extraction/Wet Method
With steam cleaning and hot water extraction (sometimes referred to as the “wet method”) a machine sprays a chemical cleaning solution on the carpet. Hot water is then used to extract the solution and dirt and debris from the carpet.
Pros:
- Alleviates concerns of powder in the air from the dry method.
Cons:
- Moisture is the big problem with this method—extended dry times will lead to microbial growth (allergens) and reappearing stains.
- Most extraction methods take more than five hours to dry, which limits the time to reoccupy and adds moisture to the environment.
- Excessive moisture can lead to degradation of the carpet’s construction, causing seams that ravel, yarn that zippers, and backing delaminating.
- Using this method will shorten the life of carpets that do not have a moisture barrier.
Bonnet Cleaning Method
With the Bonnet Method, the carpet is first sprayed with a detergent solution.
A machine with a pad that moves in a circular motion is then run over the surface of the carpet to clean it.
Important note: Bonnet cleaning will void all manufacture’s warranties unless extraction is used after the Bonnet process. Even then, many carpet manufactures still do not recommend the Bonnet cleaning method.
Pros:
- Low moisture
Cons:
- Will void most carpet warranties (see note above)
- Spreads dirt rather than removing it
- Only removes stains on the surface
- Drives dirt and chemical deep into the carpet where the trapped residue and soil damage the carpet fibers
- Keeps traffic patterns packed due to the horizontal action of the machine pad
- Leaves a “sticky” residue due to packing chemical into the carpet causing carpet to soil and appear dirty in traffic areas after only a couple of weeks (and sometimes only days)
- Typically has no anti-soiling/anti-stain properties to protect carpet from soiling, wear and stains
Is There a Better Alternative to These Carpet Cleaning Methods?
As you can see from the information above, there are some serious concerns with each of these cleaning methods. In terms of preserving your carpet and helping you get the most from your investment in the long term, they may actually do more harm than good.
Our frustration with the downsides of these cleaning methods is why we spent two years developing our own proprietary solution. Our low-moisture DPM Care system gets carpets cleaner, keeps them cleaner longer, and eliminates the negative effects of the methods listed above.
Advantages of the DPM Care System:
- Removes soil and stains from carpet;
- Dries in 30–45 minutes, low moisture;
- Lifts the carpet fiber to restore traffic patterns and loosen embedded dirt;
- Deodorizes and neutralizes bacterial contaminants;
- Applies Fibershield™ with each application to prevent future stains and soiling;
- Does not contain optical brighteners, chemical is neutral in pH, and will not leave a residue;
- Guarantees no re-appearing stains and non-yellowing; and
- Extends the life of carpet and leads to a healthier work place.
Looking for a better method of cleaning your commercial carpeting?
Let us show you the difference the DPM system makes. Request your free demo.
