The Process of Stripping and Waxing Commercial Floors

 

Regardless of the type of business, commercial floors can quickly accumulate dust, grime, scratches, cracks, and other damage due to foot traffic. Neglected floors can be off-putting. Therefore, a scheduling stripping and waxing regularly can help protect the flooring and improve its appearance.

Stripping the floor involves removing layers of old floor wax and sealants before applying a new wax coating. The new protective wax creates a barrier between the floor surface and shoes and furniture scuffing, moisture, and other damage. Floor types that benefit from this process include acrylic, linoleum, epoxy, and vinyl composition tiles (VCT) floors.

Standard stripping-and-waxing treatment requires a stripping tool and solution, floor wax, mop, buckets and wringer, floor pads, auto scrubber, and a low-speed floor buffer. Experts recommend a 20-inch buffereasyse of use, handling, and manageable weight. A "Wet Floor" caution sign may be required for busy locations such as offices.

The first step is to dust-mop the floor before removing the old wax and sealant layers. Mix the stripping solution in a bucket per the instructions. Fill a second bucket or auto scrubber with cold water, and install the floor pads. For the best results, sectionalize the floor, depending on the stripping tool used. Next, apply the stripping solution to the floor section, and wait five to 10 minutes for it to dissolve the old wax and sealant. Move to the next section and repeat the process till the whole floor is covered.

Strip the area with the floor pads attached to the pad driver of the auto scrubber for several passes until the section is cleared. Move to the next section and repeat. Corners and crevices require an edging tool. Lastly, mop the spent stripping solution and wet-clean using cold water.

The stripping procedure takes longer than waxing, though the total time usually depends on the layers of wax applied previously. After stripping, seal using a sealing solution that permeates the flooring's pores, scratches, and shallow cracks and prepare the surface for waxing and finishing. Cleaning experts recommend applying two coats of sealant to cover the imperfections.

After the sealing solution dries, apply the wax. Professionals recommend three to five coats of high-quality wax for the best results. Mix the wax per the label instructions and put it on the floor using a clean applier mop. Allow it to dry before subsequent layers are added.

The final stage is finishing and buffing. Apply a finishing solution to help the wax settle on the floor. This reduces the chances of scratches and dirt buildup and promotes a smooth finish. Once the solution dries, buff the floor to remove dust and bring out a lustered finish. Buff when the gloss dulls during the period before the next stripping and waxing.

The stripping and waxing frequency depends on the level of wear from human traffic, objects, and weather elements. For regular foot traffic, you should strip and wax the floor annually. Consider stripping and waxing every six months for heavy traffic in places like learning institutions, shopping malls, and public transit facilities.

Choosing the Right Pressure Washer for Algae Removal

 

Algae grow on hot, humid surfaces, and a swimming pool area provides the environment for algae to thrive. The slimy green microorganism is unsightly and can be an injury hazard. While some DIY methods, such as hot water and vinegar, work for minor algae infestation, extensive and stubborn algae growth requires thorough and effective elimination techniques, like using a pressure washer. Fed by water through a garden hose, pressure washers use a vacuum or pump to send the water out through a high-pressure nozzle.

Consider the water pressure and flow when selecting the pressure washer for algae. The two crucial metrics of power washers are gallons per minute (GPM) and pounds per square inch (PSI). GPM determines the surface area covered by the water flow and rinsing power, while PSI indicates the water pressure. The two account for the pressure washer’s cleaning unit (CU) performance.

Dirt comes off easily under 50 PSI, but this does not work for algae removal, especially when lodged in cracks. Surface algae stains require about 1,000 PSI to remove, while stubborn growth calls for between 1,400 and 3,000 PSI. A residential pressure washer typically provides a maximum of 3,000 PSI, while a commercial version peaks at about 4,000. Do note that pressures over 3,000 PSI, typically used to remove rust, will strip a pool deck’s paint or dislodge sealants.

Selecting the pressure washer for algae by the GPM is trickier, but hinges on the area and the cleaning speed. A residential pressure machine with a flow rate of 2 gallons per minute requires more time for the same area of algae growth than a commercial version, which ranges between 6 and 9 gallons per minute. Experts suggest choosing the power washer based on GPM over PSI, as too much pressure can make the machine harder to handle and cause damage.

Considering the proximity to the pool water, the cleaning solution type and delivery mode both matter. While the pressurized water dislodges algae by itself, and does so better than a standard garden hose or broom, an additive such as commercial algae cleaning solution does ease the cleaning process and reduces the chances of recurring growth.

As for the type of machine, experts recommend a downstream injector pressure washer instead of the built-in soap tank type. The former first pressurizes the water, picks the soap, cleaning detergent, or bleach using a vacuum effect, then delivers the mixture to the nozzle. The built-in soap tank mixes the water and detergent first, then passes the solution through a pump and then to the nozzle. This working principle can result in pump damage from household cleaning solutions, even mild soap. Most washers have a “no bleach” caution on their bodywork.

The spray water nozzle on a pressure washer determines suitability for different applications. The types, identified using a nozzle number consisting of four or five digits, guide the user on the application. The first two digits indicate the nozzle spray angle in degrees. The four standard nozzle measures are 0, 15, 25, and 40 degrees. Experts recommend the 25-degree type for removing algae growth from the pool deck.

PCRF Fundraising Success in 2022 and 2023

 The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) was established in 1982 to help children with cancer increase their chances of survival. Since then, PCRF has invested over $43 million in pediatric cancer research and advances in treatment. The money that the foundation receives funds research usually within 12 months. The PCRF’s grant-making process includes the expertise of subject-matter experts, who review and score applications and choose the most promising ones.

The research funded through the PCRF might take years before researchers have a successful breakthrough, sometimes up to 20 years. According to the PCRF, more funds translate into more opportunities to fund ground-breaking research, which is why the organization is so aggressive about raising funding to fight childhood cancers.

In November 2022, PCRF announced its fundraising partnership with V Foundation for Cancer Research called Dribble for Victory over Cancer, which raised more than $300,000 in 2022. UCLA Hall of Famer and NBA player John Vallely founded the Dribble for Victory over Cancer in 2008, one that increases funding for cancer through sports.

This fundraising effort involved community members, students, and college basketball players convening at five universities. During the events, they met basketball coaches and players from other schools, took an on-campus course, and raised money for funding research to treat childhood cancers. These meetings were also a chance to honor pediatric cancer patients and their families, who served as honorary captains.

Some schools that participated in 2022 were Duke University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NC State University, St. John’s University, and the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). UCLA raised $150,000 for this cause at their event held on October 13, 2022. During the UCLA event, the UCLA athletics and women’s/men’s basketball teams partnered with PCRF, the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, and V Foundation. Since its participation 15 years ago, UCLA has raised $2 million for cancer research through Dribble for Victory over Cancer.

In 2023, the PCRF received $400,000, money raised at the “A Culinary & Musical Experience” event at the Ranch at Laguna Resort in Laguna Beach, California. Michael and Joanna Irwin co-hosted the event in honor of their child, who passed away at eight months from childhood cancer.

Those in attendance enjoyed cocktails and a five-course meal paired with the appropriate wines. While attendees dined, they also listened to musical entertainment featuring music from Tim Reynolds, Lee Rocker (Stray Cats), Carneyval, and Josh & Matt Jenkins, among other acts.

The fundraising event raised awareness regarding how little funding goes toward research for pediatric cancers. According to the PCRF February 2023 press release, pediatric cancer research receives only a fraction of the funding allocated to researching adult cancers. The federal government, for instance, invests less than $3 per child each year in cancer research. Most funding comes from families, society, and philanthropic events such as “A Culinary & Musical Experience.”

Finally, at the end of March 2023, PCRF held its 25th Annual Reaching for the Cure run/walk event in Irvine, California, involving 2,600 runners and walkers. In 2023, the foundation raised over $600,000 at this event to fund scientific research in the next 12 months. The participation levels at the event motivated the foundation to continue its efforts to raise more money to fund more research.

Outside of fundraising events, the PCRF accepts donations from the public through individual donations of money and assets, corporate giving, and estate planning. For more information on giving to the PCRF, please visit www.pcrf-kids.org/contribute-cure/.

An Overview of Janitorial and Commercial Cleaning for Businesses

 Most businesses hire a facility cleaning company to keep their workspace clean and presentable. Employing a cleaning service safeguards the well-being of employees and allows the business to maintain a professional image when receiving clients and visitors.

Cleaning services for businesses can be divided into two major categories: janitorial and commercial cleaning. Janitorial cleaning encompasses daily cleaning services, which include cleaning the bathrooms and refilling supplies, vacuuming, sweeping and mopping the floors, dusting, cleaning the windows, restocking the pantry, and disposing of trash. For office buildings, it may also involve sanitizing areas such as waiting rooms, conference rooms, and kitchens.

On the other hand, commercial cleaning services include specialized services done quarterly or yearly. These specialized services include deep carpet cleaning, exterior window cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, and power washing. They require special supplies and equipment, such as industrial vacuum cleaners, pressure washers, specific floor polishers, and steam machines for sanitation and sterilization.

Commercial and janitorial cleaning companies provide their services to businesses in office buildings, schools, health care facilities, restaurants, and hospitality structures. Each of these businesses has specific facilities that require tailored services. Therefore, hiring a cleaning company that caters to your business type and is equipped with the right tools and technologies is important.

Cleaning companies must comply with safety and health standards imposed by company leadership and at a state level. Furthermore, they may need to train their staff to perform specific tasks or use certain equipment, and they may be required to possess specific certifications.

For instance, office buildings generally require basic cleaning services provided by most commercial cleaning companies. Health care structures, on the other hand, must employ companies with trained professionals and specific equipment and hospital-approved certifications, including through the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cleaning companies operating in the hospitality industry must also comply with increasingly high standards. Structures such as restaurants, casinos, and event venues must ensure their preparation and service areas are cleaned and sanitized to pass health inspections. Furthermore, a clean working environment limits the risk of cross-contamination, which happens when contaminants from surfaces reach the food. For these reasons, restaurants should choose a company with certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Lastly, it is worth noting that businesses nowadays must pay even greater attention to keeping their work areas clean to limit the spread of infectious diseases. Since the start of COVID-19, businesses have been asked to comply with increasingly stringent protocols for cleaning and sanitation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance for businesses such as offices, gyms, and community centers with regulations on when they must clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces.

In conclusion, businesses require janitorial and commercial cleaning services tailored to their specific business type and requirements. They may hire a company that provides both janitorial and specialized commercial cleaning, or contract different providers for specific tasks. Lastly, they must comply with protocols and regulations that can differ based on the business type.

How Small Businesses Can Support Local Community Outreach Programs

 In an increasingly competitive business landscape, small businesses constantly seek ways to stand out and impact positively. By partnering with local community outreach programs, small businesses can enhance their image and create lasting relationships with the community they serve.

The first step in supporting a local community outreach program is to identify the one that aligns with your company's values and goals. Look for organizations with a real mission and measurable success in their initiatives. Connecting with an outreach program that complements your core values will make your support more authentic and have a more significant overall impact.

One of the most straightforward ways small businesses can support community outreach programs is by offering financial contributions. Donating money, sponsoring events, or holding fundraisers can accomplish this. Financial support to these programs helps them secure resources, staff, and services necessary to serve the local community effectively. Small businesses can also take advantage of tax deductions for charitable contributions or allocated funds for corporate philanthropy.

Besides extending financial support, small businesses can volunteer their services, expertise, and resources to local community outreach programs. This could include offering business consulting, hosting workshops, or providing a space for meetings or events. By volunteering your skills or resources, your business adds significant value to the program and contributes towards its continued success.

Another way small businesses can support community outreach programs is by organizing joint initiatives and events. This could be as simple as hosting a canned food drive or as involved as a charity 5k run. Events like these not only benefit the organization but also help raise awareness of both the non-profit program and your business. Working together helps both sides grow and achieve their goals.

Investing in the job training program is another excellent way for a small business to support the local community. Job training programs help those less fortunate gain the skills and knowledge necessary for successful employment opportunities under reasonable circumstances, which helps reduce poverty levels in communities. These programs also provide invaluable mentorship opportunities for young people from various backgrounds. It can introduce them to people they might not have met before, allowing them to try out new ideas and possible career paths.

Another way small businesses can support local community needs is by matching employees' charitable donations. Contributing to charities that focus on helping underprivileged children or providing necessities, such as food and clothing, to families in need will directly impact the lives of those affected by poverty and deprivation. Employees who donate money from their salaries or their spare time also benefit from becoming more involved in society, feeling connected to their neighbors, and understanding their communities' challenges today.

As a small business owner, you can look into facilitating initiatives in your local neighborhood regarding social problems, such as mental health awareness campaigns or fundraisers for natural disasters (such as hurricanes). These initiatives are essential as they raise awareness among members of your community and increase collaboration between individuals working together towards making life better for everyone living their long term.

Lastly, consider leveraging your business's social media platforms, customer base, and promotional material to raise awareness about the community outreach program. Share their events, achievements, and initiatives with your audience to help amplify their message. This simple action can increase the non-profit organization's visibility, potentially attracting more participants, volunteers, and donors.

How to Avoid Damaging Marble or Stone Floors While Cleaning

 An experienced business owner and administrative head, Shawn Tillitt has served as president and CEO of Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc., since founding it in 2007. Among their other services, Shawn Tillitt and Jet Clean professionally clean marble and stone floors.

There are good reasons to leave the cleaning of your marble or stone floor to a qualified professional. For example, many common cleaning products, such as ammonia-based solutions and bleaching agents, can stain or dull the marble and stone surface. Even consumer-based liquid cleaners explicitly made for marble can damage your floor.

Although all-natural cleaners have a reputation for mildness and safety, products with acidic elements, such as vinegar or lemon juice, can harm marble, travertine, and other limestone forms. Even local tap water can cause pitting and yellowing in a marble floor if that water contains excessive amounts of certain minerals and chemicals.

Beyond cleaning products, application methods are equally important to the marble or stone floor cleaning process. You should never use steel wool, microfiber scrub pads, or other abrasive materials on marble or stone. In short, most attempts to remove deposits or stains by scraping or scouring are likely to leave permanent surface scratches.

Fishing at Yorba Regional Park

 A longtime Orange County resident who graduated from California State University, Fullerton, in 1994, Shawn Tillitt owns and operates Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc., in Yorba Linda, California. When he isn’t working, Shawn Tillitt likes to fish.

Yorba Regional Park offers great local fishing less than five miles away from Yorba Linda in Anaheim, California. Operated by Orange County Parks, this linear day-use park stretches a mile along the Santa Ana River at the mouth of Santa Ana Canyon.

Yorba Regional Park has four lakes that connect through a series of streams. This makes it an excellent destination for fishermen and other recreational water sports enthusiasts. No watercraft are allowed in the park beyond the small paddleboats for rent, but there is easy fishing access from the shore or a series of short fishing piers.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks Yorba Regional Park’s four lakes with channel catfish in the summer and rainbow trout in the winter and early spring. Other desirable fish species in the park include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and carp.

The Physical Health Benefits of Fishing

 

A small business owner in Yorba Linda, California, Shawn Tillitt oversees the daily operations at the award-winning Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc. When he isn’t working, Shawn Tillitt is an avid recreational fisherman.

With its relaxing natural setting and emphasis on calmness and quiet, the stress-relieving mental benefits of fishing are relatively well-known. Fishing can help you lose weight and improve cardiovascular health. The average fisherman burns approximately 200 calories per hour. While less active fishermen may fail to burn that many calories, they will inevitably expend more energy than sitting at home.

Anyone who has ever struggled with a blue marlin can tell you all about the grueling, full-body workout that fishing can provide. But you don’t have to take a deep-sea trophy fishing trip to build the muscles of your shoulders, core, back, arms, and legs as you reel in your catch.

Fishermen even gain health benefits from the fact that fishing takes place outdoors. As they soak up the sunlight, fishermen take in large amounts of immune-boosting and disease-fighting vitamin D.

Machine Scrubbing Tile and Grout

 Shawn Tillitt has served as president and CEO of Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc., in Yorba Linda, California, since founding this cleaning company in 2007. One of the services that Shawn Tillitt and Jet Clean provide is the machine scrubbing of tile and grout.

Over time, even the highest quality of professionally installed tiles and grouted finishes can begin to look grimy and worn. In addition to becoming a source of irritation and embarrassment, this old, dirty appearance can drive patrons away from local businesses.

A combination of dirt, dust, grease, and other contaminants from both inside the building and outside, the filth that settles on tile and grout can be particularly challenging to clean. For this reason, professionals often employ floor buffers and other specialized machines to clean every crevice of your tile and grout floor. They also tend to use industrial-grade cleaning solutions that remove various staining agents. Due to their toxic byproducts, these cleaning solutions should be used only by professionals with the proper safety gear.

Tips For Selecting Janitorial Cleaning Services

 Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc. is a commercial cleaning company located in Yorba Linda, California, and was started in 2007 by Shawn Tillitt, the president and CEO. The company has since grown to become an award-winning company and was selected for the 2020 Best of Yorba Linda Award in the Building Maintenance category. Shawn Tillitt’s cleaning company which serves clients throughout the Orange County area prides itself in offering prompt, quality, and affordable janitorial services.

Janitorial services offer various benefits such as saving costs, working with trained professionals, and always available staff. However, selecting the wrong cleaning company may have negative consequences. Therefore, being well-informed will help make the right choice.

To begin with, it is best first to find out the services offered by a cleaning company. Some companies may not offer multiple services and only provide one service, such as window cleaning. Next, it’s recommended to evaluate a cleaning company to check if they are well established and have a known reliable reputation.

Looking for a company that offers customized services ensures there is room to have various cleaning needs taken care of without requiring to work with different cleaners. Another essential thing to look for is professionalism, such as clean and trained staff, as this guarantees the quality of service they offer. Additionally, it helps to check products used by the cleaning company to ensure employees and customers are not exposed to harmful chemicals and cleaning residues.