Tag Archives: Janitorial and Maintenance

Getting Ready for Overnight Guests

May 12, 2016

Summer is fast approaching and many kids will be getting out of school soon. As a result, this is the time when many families will take a much needed vacation. It could also mean a trip for the kids to visit their grandparents or another relative’s house.

If you are expecting visitors this summer, make sure you’re prepared! Here is an easy to follow checklist that will help you organize and plan for an enjoyable time with your overnight guests.

Begin planning by cleaning. Pay special attention to the bathroom ensuring the shower, tub, sink and toilets are clean.

Figure out sleeping arrangements. If you don’t have a guest room, consider having guests sleep in your office or family room. Make space by storing office supplies and other items away in a closet. You might also wish to invest in an inflatable air mattress or cot, to help make your guests feel more comfortable.

Change sheets on the bed or have them readily available. Don’t forget about extra blankets and pillows.

Pamper your guests with great smelling toiletries including shampoos, soaps and lotions.

Place towels on beds for guests.

Spruce up the room with fresh flowers.

Stock your refrigerator and cupboards with many staples and popular, convenient foods such as cereal, milk, fruit, yogurt and items for quick meals like chips and sandwiches.

Consider purchasing disposable paper products for added convenience.

Plan activities for the time they will be visiting but make sure to also allow for some downtime and rest as well.

You will have extra people in the house. So make sure to have plenty of laundry detergent, hand soap, toilet tissue and other personal items available.

Visit Deelat.com to find cleaning and storage options to help you prepare for overnight guests. Shop with us today and save!

Backyard Spring Clean-Up Tips

April 12, 2016

Spring is here! It’s time to get your backyard ready for some outdoor fun. Although it may seem like a daunting task, it is necessary, and at the end you will be rewarded with an outdoor space you and your family can enjoy. The following tips will make the process much easier.

Gather Supplies

Get your supplies together before beginning to clean. Who wants to have to stop and make a run to the store for garbage bags or other tools? For your spring clean-up, you will need the following:

Rake
Clippers
Brooms
Trimmer
Leaf Bags
Trash Bags
Heavy-Duty Gloves
Wheelbarrel
Saw
Shovels
Water Hose
Pressure Washer

Steps for Clean-Up

Begin by removing debris from the yard. This includes large sticks, twigs and any rubbish.
Next, you’ll want to pick up any leaves that may have been left over from the fall.
Clean lawn furniture that may have been left outside. Wash down with soapy water and then rinse with the water hose.
Clear away backyard paths or walkways with a pressure washer.
Trim overgrown bushes and hedges. Remove flowers that may have wilted during the winter.
Do a little landscaping. Plant flowers and beautify your lawn with accent lighting, planters or a water fountain to create a peaceful backyard retreat.

Deelat.com offers a wide selection of cleaning and yard supplies. Shop here for pressure washers, gardening tools and stylish, outside lighting for both safety and decoration. Shop with us today and save!

Tips For Painting a Room in Your Home

February 26, 2016

A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in the appearance of a room. Along with adding color, painting a room can also add brightness or cheer to your space.

Before beginning the painting process, you’ll need the following equipment:

Painter’s Tape
Paint
Paint Brushes/Rollers
Bucket
Carpet Protection Wrap
Drop Cloths
Plastic Bags
Protective Eyewear
Gloves
Sandpaper
Painter’s Cap
Sponge

Once you have all of your equipment in place, now you’re ready to prep your room. Without proper preparation, your paint job will look unprofessional and you’ll be disappointed with its outcome.

To prepare, you’ll want to take the following steps:

Spread a drop cloth over your floor for protection.
Repair nail holes or cracks with spackle. Sand until even.
Remove spots and dirt from the walls with soap, water and a sponge.
Remove covers from light and electrical switches. Cover with tape for safety.
Tape off areas such as baseboards, edging or doors to avoid painting mistakes.
Line paint bucket with a liner or plastic bag for easy clean up.

Use the following steps to help you create a professional looking paint job.

Cut in corners and edges using a thin paint brush starting with the ceiling.
Paint the ceiling using a roller if needed.
Begin with a damp roller. Next dip the roller in your paint and use the grid to get rid of excess and even out the paint.
Apply paint to walls using a roller and a zig-zag, up and down motion.
Take a step back to see areas you may have missed.
Let dry and apply a second coat.
Lastly, pull out your brush again to paint the trim.
Remove the tape midway through the drying process.

Deelat.com offers many different types of paint accessories for sale, including paint brushes and rollers. Shop with us today and save!

Janitorial Equipment: Tips for Buying a Wet/Dry Vacuum

February 16, 2016

Wet/Dry vacuums are one of the most in-demand pieces of janitorial equipment. These machines do double duty. First, much like a standard vacuum, they can quickly sweep up dry spills, like dirt or dust. But they also perform the unique duty of sweeping up liquid spills as well, which are very common in commercial and industrial spaces.

As a maintenance manager, you’ll likely be tasked with picking out a wet/dry vacuum. Fortunately, choosing the proper wet/dry vacuum is a fairly straight-forward decision. The key is sizing the machine properly and choosing the features you will need. If you do that, you’ll have a machine that will help you perform essential tasks that will last you for many years. Here are some tips for people considering to buy a wet/dry vacuum:

Is The Tank the Proper Size?

All wet/dry vacs are built with a tank to hold suctioned materials. These tanks are available in a variety of sizes, but it’s important to choose a tank size that will match your needs. For example, large tanks – which are necessary in industrial and large commercial spaces – average about 100 liters, or 26 gallons. Small- and mid-sized tanks average about 25 to 50 L.

Suction Power

Suction is determined by a number of measures. Most commonly, though, the vacuum’s motor wattage can help you determine which model has the best suction. For example, a wet/dry vac with a 3600-watt motor will have a greater suction power, compared to a model with a 1600-watt motor. Suction is important depending on the materials that you will be using the vac for. For example, some people use vacs to suck debris out of gutters, which requires greater suction than would sucking dusts or smaller particles.

Drain for Liquids

Does the tank have a drain near the bottom so that you can quickly dispense liquids? This is an important feature. Vacuums without one require the tank to be removed and tilted to remove the water or liquid. A drain, on the other hand, makes it easy to place the vacuum near an exit drain and eliminate the liquids from the tank.

Easy-to-Replace Filter

Dusts and fine particles pass through a filter, and over time, these filters must be replaced. Choose a model with high filter accuracy. This means more particles are trapped by the filter and dropped into the tank. Additionally, make sure you’re using the right filter – there are many different types designed for different materials, i.e. fine particle filters and HEPA filters. Finally, these filters should be cleaned regularly to avoid clogging. A model that offers easy access to the filter will enable faster cleaning.

What Accessories Are Included?

Your vacuum will likely be included with a number of accessories, including a hose and various heads. Yet, you might need additional accessories. For example, an extra-long hose might not be included, or you might need a specific head for a certain type of work. Be sure you know what accessories are included.

Deelat.com offers many different types of wet/dry vacs for sale, including 3600W vacuums, 100L vacuums, and small wet/dry vacs. Shop with us and save!

5 Tips for a Successful Restroom Renovation

January 25, 2016

Whether you’ve just bought a business, or you’ve managed a commercial building for years, proper upkeep of your property’s restrooms is important. Are you considering remodeling the restrooms in your business? If so, you know the process can be frustrating and time consuming. There are many considerations to make, from hiring a contractor, to the costs of materials.

Fortunately, with proper planning commercial restroom renovations can run on-time and on-budget, helping to keep your business running without a hitch. So where can you start? As a building material supplier, Deelat has helped many business owners and property managers purchase affordable, durable supplies for their remodels. In helping our customers, we’ve come to understand how to successfully plan for a restroom renovation. Here are a few tips:

Consider Budgeting and Scheduling

All renovations start with setting a budget. This should happen before you consider colors, the hardware you need, or hiring a contractor. Once you’ve set a budget, you will have a solid idea of how much you can afford to spend. But be aware that sometimes contractors do go over budget. To protect against this, take 10 percent off your total for the project, and this will be the budget you tell your contractor you’re willing to spend. But do be prepared to spend the entire amount.
Secondly, since you’re running a business, be sure to consider the timing that you need construction to be accomplished by. If your establishment has two restrooms, it might be possible to have one closed, while the other is under-construction. If not, you should prepare for having your restroom out of service.

Select and Purchase Materials

Commercial restroom remodels require a range of supplies. Often, your contractor will help you purchase some of the supplies, like toilets, sinks and stall partitions. Yet, there are many other small pieces of hardware you will likely need, and it will help to find a supplier who stocks affordable, durable supplies. One tip: Purchasing hardware from a single supplier can help to limit the costs of shipping and reduce your overall materials spending. Additional pieces you might need for a commercial restroom include:

Soap Dispensers
Paper Towel Dispensers and Hand Dryers
Toilet Tissue and Seat Cover Dispenser
Baby Changing Tables
And Deodorizers and Urinal Screens

Hire A Contractor

There are some tasks that you can do yourself, like installing paper towel dispensers and urinal screens. But if something falls outside of your expertise – say plumbing – hire an experienced contractor. Look for a reputable business that has experience in commercial restroom renovation, and remember the most affordable isn’t always the best. An established contractor with references and a portfolio of work will save you the headache of having to finish or revise improperly installed hardware or unreliable plumbing.

Purchase High-Quality, Durable Materials

The restrooms at many businesses are highly trafficked, and that means the hardware must be durable enough to withstand daily wear-and-tear. To protect yourself, choose an industrial supply company that’s established and that has responsive customer service. If a piece of hardware is defective, chances are the company will be willing to work with you on a solution. Additionally, electronic devices – like hand dryers, or automatic soap dispensers – are like many pieces of technology; they can become obsolete. That’s why buying modern technology that’s built-to-last can save you additional costs down the road.

Consider Local Ordinances

In many states and cities, restrooms must meet local, state or federal ordinances for persons with disabilities, as well as other laws and requirements. In the U.S., for example, the Americans With Disabilities Act set requirements for commercial restrooms. Some properties are exempt from these codes, while others must get up-to-date when they renovate. Before you begin your remodel, be sure the restroom will be in compliance with local building codes.

Shop for commercial restroom hardware on Deelat.com. We offer a wide selection of renovation supplies that are durable and shipped quickly. Shop with us and save when you renovate the restrooms in your business.

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