Questions To Ask Before Hiring Industrial Cleaning Contractors

Industrial Cleaning 21.09.22
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Industrial Cleaning Contractors

You might think hiring industrial cleaning contractors is easy, and for the most part, you’d be right. Once you’ve found a contractor that you think will do the best job for you, getting a contract in place is a doddle. But it’s the process of finding decent industrial cleaning contractors that can be more time-consuming. 

We’ve come up with all the questions you should ask a potential cleaning contractor to help you whittle down your list of contenders…

Question 1: What Type Of Industrial Cleaning Contractors Are You?

First and foremost, you need to know whether the company does what you need them to do. Are you looking for a cleaning company to come in and dust, vacuum and sanitise your workspace? Or do you have a specialist requirement like cladding cleaning or gutter cleaning?

Making sure you’re talking to the right type of contractor saves wasted time and effort. At GI Sykes we have three key industrial cleaning services that we provide to commercial buildings all over the UK. They are;

Commercial Gutter Cleaning

 

When your gutters are left to their own devices, they can become filled with dirt, moss and debris. This causes blockages which can lead to water overflowing. Flooding gutters means problems with drainage and pooling water – something you don’t want to mess about with.

Cladding Cleaning

5 Reasons Industrial Cleaning Is A Must For Your Property

Your cladding protects your walls, but in doing so, it is exposed to the harshest elements and all that comes with that. Grit, algae, bird poo and pollution can all collect on the surface of your cladding, not only making it look dull and grotty, but also risking more significant damage to the coating. A regular cleaning schedule means that your cladding maintains a clean, polished finish, reflecting well on your brand profile AND preserving the integrity of your cladding.

Commercial Roof Cleaning

 

Much like your cladding, your roof is a layer of protection you can ill afford to risk. Whatever type of roof you have on your commercial building, over time you will find a build-up of dirt, moss and other nasties. If left, these things can wreak havoc with your roof coatings and membranes. Ensuring that your roof is clear of organic matter is a highly recommended aspect of property maintenance since regular cleaning can improve the energy efficiency and lifespan of your roof.

Question 2: Are You Experienced?

Using industrial cleaning contractors that have a wealth of experience means that you can expect reliable results. Rather than be a ‘guinea pig’ for new methods and products, a long-standing company is more likely to have tried and tested processes to achieve outstanding results. At least that’s how it is for us. 

With over 55 years of experience in the trade, there’s not much we haven’t seen or done. Our hand-picked team of industrial cleaning specialists have been selected for their expertise and skill, ensuring that we always deliver above expectations.

Question 3: Are You Using Professional Products?

Finding out which products a company uses gives you a good indication of their knowledge and expertise. If they rock up with a bottle of Fairy Liquid to clean your cladding, then you know that they might not be the professional outfit you thought. If, on the other hand, they are affiliated with top names in the construction industry like Tor Coatings, Giromax and Johnstone’s, then you can be assured that they’ve done their due diligence on researching and sourcing the best products to leave your property clean and protected.

Question 4: Are You Insured?

If there is even a whisper of a no when you ask this, run for the hills. No respectable industrial cleaning contractors will operate without comprehensive insurance protecting both you and their own people.

All of our work is covered by the highest levels of insurance, so if the worst did happen and damage occurred due to our negligence (this has never happened – touch wood!), you wouldn’t have to worry as our policy guarantees that everything is repaired or replaced quickly.

Question 5: Can I Read Reviews?

Industrial cleaning contractors can tell you all day long how great they are, but it’s the words that come from unprompted reviews that carry the most weight. Ask for case studies that they might have, read their website, but most importantly, have a look on social media and Google to see what others have been saying.

You’ll get a good feel for the level of service from the reviews – and the responses to them. If you come across a poor review, it’s always worth reading the response from the company as things aren’t always as they seem. You can usually tell if a bad review has been left because someone was genuinely dissatisfied or if they were just feeling annoyed by something unnecessarily. 

If you see lots of reviews like this;

We used GI Sykes to renovate our warehouse facility. A total revamp to a tired and dated exterior. Extensive renovation works have vastly improved the look of the building. Great job, on time and on budget, most certainly will use these guys again, highly recommended.”

Then you know you’re on to a winner…

Question 6: What Will It Cost?

The all-important question. What will exemplary industrial cleaning cost? A good contractor will conduct a site visit in order to provide you with an accurate estimate – this way they can get eyes on any potential issues or concerns. It means that your quote will include suggestions of remedial work or repairs which might sound like chancing it for a bigger project, but what it actually does is avoid hidden extras being whacked on your final invoice.

We will always give our clients a clear, transparent quote that accounts for all materials and labour, that way you can budget and plan knowing the true cost.

Question 7: Why GI Sykes?

Industrial Cleaning Contractors (3)

Ok, so this might not be a question for all industrial cleaning contractors, but asking why you should choose a specific one gives them the chance to tell you a little more about themselves. 

As conscientious and trustworthy industrial cleaning contractors, we make it our goal to leave every industrial cleaning project gleaming and pristine. There’s no such thing as ‘that’ll do’ at GI Sykes; it’s perfection or it’s done again. 

If you want your cleaning done by highly qualified experts with over 5 decades of experience, state-of-the-art equipment and top-notch products that carry good insurance for a clear, honest cost, then give us a call. We’ll be delighted to give you a quote – no questions asked!

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Do You Really Need Liquid Waterproofing For Flat Roofs?

Roofing 07.09.22
flat roof repair second

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Liquid waterproofing for flat roofs is often recommended by the pros – but is it necessary and what happens if you don’t opt for it?

We get into the nitty-gritty of liquid waterproofing for flat roofs, so you can decide for yourself if you really need it…

What Is Liquid Waterproofing?

 

Before we get to whether or not liquid waterproofing should be on your must-have list, let’s find out what it is exactly. 

Liquid waterproofing is a roofing system that prevents water ingress into your flat roof. It’s applied as a liquid which dries into a resilient membrane, repelling water and ensuring that your flat roof remains undamaged. 

There are different types of liquid waterproofing for flat roofs, each offering slightly different benefits. You don’t need to worry about the specifics of each type as your chosen professional liquid waterproofing contractor will advise you on the most effective options. However, if you are interested you can read about each type used on the Liquid Roofing & Waterproofing Association website here.

What Does Liquid Waterproofing Do?

We know that liquid waterproofing for flat roofs stops water seeping in, but what does that mean for your roof? 

Flat roofs in particular are vulnerable to damage caused by water. Since they are, well, flat, they are at higher risk from the problems that standing water can bring with it. You might have noticed puddles and pools of water on your flat roof after a shower of rain – these can be troublesome if they don’t quickly dry out. 

The issues that your flat roof faces aren’t always obvious, so here’s what to look out for;

Pools and puddles

As mentioned above, puddles of water that don’t seem to dry are concerning. If there is any damage to the membrane on your flat roof, the water will start to seep underneath which can impact the structure of your roof. 

This can result in;

  • Weakened structural components, like beams and wall studs
  • Damaged ceilings and walls
  • Mould and mildew within your property 
  • Damp insulation that reduces its effectiveness

 

Organic matter

While organic produce is desirable, organic growth on your roof is not. Where there is damp and warm there will also be things like moss and algae growth, which is the perfect home for bugs and mosquitoes. And where there are bugs, there are birds looking for a tasty snack. And where are there birds, there’s bird poop. All over your roof. 

And those puddles and piles of moss can give you a pretty significant unseen problem – the added weight to your structure. Moss can hold up to 30 times their weight in water, so if you have a lot, your flat roof is under constant strain.

 

Cracks, tears and rips

Your roof bears the brunt of the weather. From blazing hot days where the tarmac on the roads starts to melt to blustering storms and icy cold frost – the extremes that your roof sees you through can have an effect on its condition. Small cracks can develop into big holes and before you know it, you’ve got water leaking into your building.

Careful maintenance and regular checks help you to keep on top of developing issues, but it’s only with a proactive approach that you can be totally sure that your roof is problem free. By investing in liquid waterproofing for flat roofs, you guarantee that your roof will be impervious to the wet weather.

And it’s not just the rain and damp that you’ll be protected from. Liquid waterproofing for flat roofs protects your roof against all manner of environmental damage by adding a durable layer that can withstand heat, UV light, rain and frost.

So, Do You Need Liquid Waterproofing For Flat Roofs?

You need waterproofing on your roof, that is certainly a ‘need’. Whether that’s in the form of liquid waterproofing is up to you. There are several methods of waterproofing a roof, but at GI Sykes, we’ve found the most effective and least disruptive solution is liquid roofing. Here’s why:

The liquid is applied cold, so there’s no need for hot works on your roof – that’s a huge safety risk averted – for you and us. This also means we can carry out the project without impacting your business as there is no need to close or restrict access to your building.

Liquid waterproofing for flat roofs (or pitched roofs) can be done any time of year. There’s no need to wait for dry spells since liquid roofing can be applied even in wet weather. We avoid working in torrential conditions due to safety, but in any other weather we crack on.

It’s the most cost-effective solution we offer. Not only is liquid waterproofing one of the quickest waterproofing solutions available, but we’re also adept at applying it. This means a competitive price on your project with little to no impact on your business. 

And the best bit? Liquid waterproofing for flat roofs extends the lifespan of your roof by up to 25 years. So you can delay a roof replacement for over two decades, giving you plenty of time to save and plan for it.

What Happens Without Liquid Waterproofing?

You could choose to forgo liquid waterproofing for flat roofs. Take your chances with your roof as it is, but the risk of needing significant roof repair at some point is much higher. 

You may even find yourself spending out on frequent remedial work that ends up costing more in the long run. 

Want Liquid Waterproofing For Flat Roofs Now?

 

After hearing how simple and effective liquid waterproofing is at protecting and preserving your flat roof, you probably want to find out how you can talk to someone about your roof. It’s easy, just visit gisykes.co.uk or call Tel: 01384 891 341 to arrange an appointment. 

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