December 1, 2017

A Clean Carpet is Steps Away……..

COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES.

New Life text on a wooden cubes. Wood Abc.

A Clean Carpet is Steps Away…

Soil is the natural enemy of carpet. It attaches itself to sticky residue left behind from things like coffee spills. Without proper cleaning, soil will remain in the carpet and damage the fibres, leading to fading, discolouration, matting, fraying and ultimately, the premature and costly replacement of your carpet.

Although a regular commercial carpet maintenance program is ideal to maintain your carpet, a professional full restorative carpet cleaning should take place at least once a year to remove the accumulation of soil build up in higher traffic areas within your facility.

ServiceMaster Clean’s full restorative carpet care program involves a five-step process:

  • Proprietary Capture and Removal® deep vacuuming
  • Spot & stain removal
  • Low-moisture pre-spray & agitate with cleaning solution
  • Hot water rinse & extraction
  • Expedited Drying

At ServiceMaster Clean, we not only clean your carpet with our environmentally friendly and proprietary products, equipment and processes, we also ensure that our work meets your standards by conducting a follow up call after each visit.

With over 60 years of industry experience, we offer our customers the most effective and up-to-date innovations in commercial carpet care. Let ServiceMaster Clean provide a custom commercial carpet cleaning program that is right for your facility.

Complete the form to download “Key Carpet Cleaning Principles”.

ServiceMaster Clean – We are your commercial cleaning specialists.

We are a team of professional commercial cleaners dedicated to all of your office cleaning needs from floor cleaning to duct cleaning and everything in between!

For more information on any of our commercial cleaning services, contact us today!

“The dedication of your Team to support our needs, even on a short notice. Your Team are eager to help us and won’t hesitate to go above and beyond. also the expertise on carpet cleaning.” A.B. Shaw Communications

 “Our monthly and annual services are always done well, and when we call in for specific cleaning requests, the turnaround time and results are always great.” S.S. Bank of Nova Scotia Investment

 

December 1, 2017

Green…. the Colour of Good Business

JANITORIAL SERVICES……

The Colour of Good BusinessGreen Business Office

Green cleaning not only minimizes impact on the environment, recent studies have shown that sustainable buildings, or buildings that go green, have measurable financial gains due to employee health, productivity and retention as well as lower operating costs.

Green cleaning is one of the easiest and fastest ways for building managers to make their facilities healthier for employees, not to mention their contribution to the overall environment. Plus, it offers the ability to earn LEED points in the process.

The Canadian Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED ) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark program for measuring and documenting success of high-performance green buildings for every building type, whether you have an existing building (LEED-EB) or a new construction (LEED-NC).

LEED is a point-based rating system whereby points are earned for building attributes considered environmentally beneficial.

ServiceMaster Clean can help you to earn up to 8 of a maximum 14 points in the area of Material & Resources and up to 9 of a maximum 19 points in the area of Indoor Environmental Quality through our Healthy Office Cleaning programs.

ServiceMaster Clean has developed the most advanced products and methods to make green cleaning as effective as traditional cleaning. Not all green cleaning products are independently audited and certified green, however. ServiceMaster Clean is one of the only cleaning companies whose products are certified by the leading environmental organizations. ServiceMaster Clean green cleaning is a highly efficient and effective cleaning system that is built around these advanced, innovative products.

ServiceMaster Clean offers a full range of cleaning services that will help you to keep your office healthy and productive. Whether it’s providing regular janitorial services, sanitizing workstations and high traffic surfaces or using environmentally friendly products and processes, we understand the power of a clean and healthy work environment.

ServiceMaster Clean – We are your commercial cleaning specialists.

We are a team of professional commercial cleaners dedicated to all of your office cleaning needs from janitorial services to hard floor cleaning and everything in between!

For more information on any of our commercial cleaning services, contact us today!

“The administration staff is very friendly and the cleaners get the job done. Always very helpful with any questions. The company as a whole is committed to excellence and to provide a great service to its clients.” J.M. Air Canada

 

“Excellent customer service. It is always a pleasure to do business with ServiceMaster. They always do their best to satisfy their clients. I would definitely recommend them to friends.” A.O. Johnson & Johnson Inc.

December 1, 2017

Great White Nature’s Ice Melter

Extreme Melt Great White Nature’s Ice Melter – 50 lb

Ice Melt “Great White IceMelt” 50 lb Bags – Price Per Bag $ 25.00

Delivery $ 150.00 Per Site (Over 20 bags Subject To Additional Delivery charge)

All Prices Subject to GST

cem-great-white-400

  • 100% Natural Ice Melter
  • Pet Friendly Formulation – Less harmful to pets and wildlife
  • Environmentally friendly ice melt formula – Less harmful to grass, shrubs, and concrete*
  • Provides safe, no slip protection on steps, sidewalks and driveways
  • Non-hygroscopic formulation means it will not harden
  • Does not leave an oily residue
  • Sweeps, vacuums and washes up easily
  • Water soluble for easy clean-up

*when used as directed

 

 

 

November 21, 2017

ServiceMaster Clean Fuel Surcharge Information (FSC)

IMG_9618 (1)ServiceMaster Clean Fuel Surcharge Information (FSC)

At ServiceMaster Clean we haven’t raised most of our prices for years and when you run a fleet of 22 service vans and equipment fuel add ups ☺

The fuel surcharge for exterior is $ 10.00 per day on site and $ 15.00 per Floor Care order, the FSC does not apply to rental units only on project work and program work in our floor care and exterior cleaning service lines.

At ServiceMaster we not only use fuel to get to the site but to run most of our equipment.

We configured the pricing to have little impact which is reflected in the daily rate for exterior. Most exterior projects are one day and some can be week with this method they are weighted to the amount of days on site.

For Floor Care most of our projects and program work are under a day so we went with a per job.

When we were assessing our pricing, we had a look to see what the industry was doing regarding fuel and we came up with this model.

Wording For Quotes

Floor Care
FSC Fuel Service Charge – $15.00 Will Be Added to the Invoice

Exterior
FSC Fuel Service Charge – $10.00 Per Day On Site Will Be Added to the Invoice

Any questions please fee free to reach out.

David Benoit | President & General Manager
ServiceMaster Clean Residential Vancouver – ServiceMaster Restore Whistler
O: 604 435 1135 (24hrs) | C: 604 561 2903
E: [email protected] | www.smcvancouver.com | www.servicemasterwhistler.com
Property Management – B2C Cleaning Services – Restore Services

July 3, 2017

Roof Cleaning & Treatment – It’s That Time Of Year – Summer

Most of our cleaning services have seasonal variations that make them more appropriate for certain parts of the year. For example, windows and façades are more common in the spring, gutters in the fall, and carpets around winter or the spring. We’re entering roof cleaning season, which is more essential this year. The long, wet and cool winter has been fertile for moss, mold and mildew growth on roofs, which need to be dealt with before they start to damage its integrity and appearance. Left unchecked, they can cause irreparable damage in less than decade in certain conditions. We have seen roofs requiring rebuilds in under a half its expected life span. With the summer finally here, it is the best opportunity to remove them and prevent them from coming back.

west coast style lowrise 3
Most of our cleaning services have seasonal variations that make them more appropriate for certain parts of the year. For example, windows and façades are more common in the spring, gutters in the fall, and carpets around winter or the spring. We’re entering roof cleaning season, which is more essential this year. The long, wet and cool winter has been fertile for moss, mold and mildew growth on roofs, which need to be dealt with before they start to damage its integrity and appearance. Left unchecked, they can cause irreparable damage in less than decade in certain conditions. We have seen roofs requiring rebuilds in under a half its expected life pan. With the summer finally here, it is the best opportunity to remove them and prevent them from coming back.

We employ a multi-step process, starting with physically removing growths and the organic material they may be growing on. The warmer weather dries out deposits, loosening them and making them easier to remove and stop repeat growth. The hot weather also makes it safer for our staff to access difficult places. Although our staff utilizes rope access and safety restraint systems that should theoretically allow us to access all roofs, a wet slippery surface will limit what we can do. The summer months offer us the maximum mobility over the roof surface. Finally we apply a roof treatment that will retard any growth for several years. Undertaking such a process every few years, will ensure that a roof will remain at peak durability for the duration of its expected lifespan.

If you have a building requiring a roof cleaning (or never considered that you might need one) why not give us a call?

July 3, 2017

I AM THE STRATA! Miscommunication and Residential Services Provision

Ironically one of the most common (and frustrating) source of disagreement we see in our residential cleaning services, emerge over issues where nobody is in the wrong. Failing to establish clear lines of communication often leads to needless disagreement and problems.

It should be no surprise that this occurs. Part of the issue is that there are multiple parties involved, who may not all be on the same page. First there is the service provider. Obviously we provide the same service every day, so we have our own views on how things should be done based on our experience. Furthermore service requests only provide us with the “what,” we have to fill in the blanks on “how.” Businessman with Ice Pack

Next, there is the property manager operating on the behalf of the Strata. In an ideal world, the manager would operate as a single point of contact, bringing together all of the requests, concerns and issues for us to respond to. However, we don’t live in an ideal world, as the Canucks discovered in 1994 and 2011. Property managers have different relationships with stratas, where the latter may take a more active role. There is nothing inherently “wrong” with such a setup, but it does increase the chances that a miscommunications will occur. The title of this article comes from an incident with an unhappy council member, who, when shown our work order, responded “I AM THE STRATA.” That puts us into a bit of an awkward position. Furthermore there are the locations’ residents themselves, which can add a third wrinkle. They may have their own individual concerns, which may or may not be congruent with the building’s overall requirements.

So what’s essential in this situation is flow of communication, right from the start. Everybody who needs the information should get it. We try to do our best, from the moment a quote or service request comes in, to when we leave the site a final time. This includes email notification of, upcoming work ongoing and completed work, contact information with our field staff and managers. Property managers should include council members who need to know and post notices in a timely fashion. Furthermore having a clear, agreed upon, single point of contact for issues and complaints, (ideally the PM), reduces the potential friction. Items don’t get mixed and we can promptly resolve the issue.

So taking care early to set up a clear flow of communications will help to ensure success later. If everybody is on the same page, we can focus on the issues that really matter. If you want more information, we have a handy cleaning guide where we discuss this area further.

May 24, 2017

Window Cleaning Season. Planning for Issues and Solutions

As spring has finally arrived, so has window-cleaning season at ServiceMaster Clean Residential Vancouver. With it inevitably comes complaints. Here’s a common example.

Screen No Screen

This is a window where the screen was not removed. Its pretty evident when the left side seems completely clean, while the right has speckling from weathering. How can we avoid it and how to handle it, is the focus of this article.

So we first off try to avoid as many problems as possible. One of the most important things we do is send out a building notice a week or two before informing residents of the work that will take place and anything they must do. This can include having their windows closed for a specific time, special access requirements and/or removing screens. These notices must be posted in a visible place, and should not be changed in any way.

Once the work is completed, we have a straightforward process for handling concerns over a seven-day review period.

FIRST STEPS

  1. Make sure the window you are concerned about was included.
  2. Please Clean the Inside Surface of The Window (Now with more light from the outside you can see the inside))
  3. If your screens were not removed and windows closed your windows would not have been cleaned and we are not able to return.
  4. Still not happy, it happens, that’s okay email us with your unit number and the window you are concerned also please include a photo of the window.

NEXT STEPS (If the above steps don’t address the concerns.)

  1. We will set up a return visit.
  2. The window will need to be identified from the interior with a piece of paper
  3. If your building is a high rise we may need access to the affected suite.

What are some other common issues? Watermarks and streaks, which is caused when the window dries too quickly after being washed. Experienced technicians can minimize the possibility of them developing (often by using the minimum amount of water), but even they run afoul of this issue.

Tucker Pole Dried Funny

Watermarks are easily resolved: a quick rewash will remove them as the following photo illustrates.

re cleaned window

The watermarks are immediately gone, and the window will likely dry streak-free. We do re-services for this sort of issue.

Another common issue is un-cleaned window interiors. Often, a technician will do a pass through a location, and a resident will complain that they see no difference. In many cases, there is an internal buildup, which is the issue. We typically ask that residents try to clean their windows as a first step before calling in for a re-service. More than once we have arrived at a site only to find the window has been cleaned, but the interior is the issue.

In order to best serve you, following the steps outlined above can make all the difference.Ideally we would like to deal with all of the issues in one return visit. We do ask that that clients collect all of the defects into a single communication, so we can deal with them in one go. Having pictures of the issue and marking it by a sticky note when our crews arrive also helps us fix the issue.

All in all, we hope that this may have been informative and helpful this spring season. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to call us at 604 435-1135, or email us at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 12, 2017

Your Common Area Floors – A Game Plan To Maintain

Frequently we get asked what is the difference between the different carpet cleaning approaches, and what’s the point. muddy footprints2So we’ve written up a quick description.

By implementing a routine carpet maintenance program, you can preserve and maintain your carpets life for a much longer time. They are also critical for maintaining a carpet’s warrantee. Failure to maintain a proper cleaning schedule will result in a strata undertaking a costly replacement of a carpet more frequently. That could mean 15$ a square foot every ten to fifteen years, compared to the average cost of a carpet cleaning program it’s between $1,800.00 and $2,300.00 annually.

The key issue is dirt and other small particulates. They act like microscopic sandpaper that abrades fibers and deteriorates their appearance. Removing them regularly reduces the wear and tear on the floor. There are two approaches. The first is daily vacuuming, which is the most critical approach to keeping a carpet healthy: the less time particulates remain on the carpet, the less damage they can do. That is the focus of a janitorial program. Regular interim cleaning using a deep pile cleaner like a whittaker or a dry extraction to remove contaminants that normal vacuuming cannot remove on their own.

These three approaches can greatly reduce the need for a full restorative clean. That’s where a carpet’s appearance has deteriorated to the point where an extensive cleaning is required to bring it back to an acceptable state. Restorative cleans, are typically not able to return a carpet to its original state. However a regular maintenance program can greatly increase the interval of time between such cleanings, which will result in the carpet retaining its appearance for a much long time. This is why getting your floors onto a program that is carefully planned and on schedule is essential for its long-term health.

An effective maintenance program consists of five key elements:

    •  Preventative Maintenance – basically a way to contain soil and other contaminants before they reach carpets. The primary approach here is mats at entrances and high traffic areas, which trap them before the spread to vulnerable areas. IT can also include other treatments like surface coatings on hard surface floors.
    • Vacuuming – daily cleaning is the primary approach to keeping your carpets healthy. It removes most of the deposited particulate matter on floors, which prevents damage.
    • Spot mark removal – These are typically unique events with unique chemistry. Many need a response within 48 hours otherwise they will leave a permanent stain.
    • Interim Cleaning – This can include deep carpet pile cleaning, or a extraction clean. These can be accomplished every few months.
    •  Restorative Cleaning – this usually entails a deep hot water extraction that removes deeply trapped soils and normally insoluble materials.