4 Benefits Of Regularly Cleaning Your Trash Chute
The convenience of a trash chute can quickly turn into an inconvenient mess if not regularly cleaned. Whether you manage a commercial building, hotel, or an apartment complex, a dirty trash chute can cause a number of problems that are bad for business. Not only do regular cleanings prevent and eliminate unpleasant odors from assaulting your tenants, guests, and patrons, but they also reduce the risk of pest infestations from insects and rodents, the growth of mold and bacteria, and the possibility of fire.
Eliminate and Prevent Odors
Obviously the smell of trash is not good for your business, and it can make your business look poorly managed. Nobody wants to live or work in a place that reeks, and a smelly chute can cause your tenants to pack their bags and make other arrangements. Simple cleanings can go a long way toward making a comfortable living and working space and remember that preventative measures are key here. Once the stink has taken hold, you’ve left your impression on those that occupy the building. For the smell alone, getting your chute cleaned regularly is a must.
Reduce The Risk Of Pest Infestations
Old food and potential nesting materials attract all kinds of pests, commonly including insects and rodents, and it’s only a matter of time until they want to move to the warmth inside your building. Rodents and insects can carry infectious diseases and rodents are notorious for leaving droppings, causing unsanitary and hazardous conditions for your tenants. Regular trash chute cleanings are vital to preventing pests from taking up residence.
Prevent The Growth Of Mold and Bacteria
Garbage is a natural environment for the growth of mold and bacteria, both of which can pose serious health risks to all of the building’s occupants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency allergic reactions to mold are very common and can potentially cause serious health effects. Bacteria can cause serious adverse effects as well, such as salmonella. As trash attracts insects like flies, bacteria can easily be transported around your building, increasing the likelihood of bacterial issues like food poisoning. Keeping a clean chute will remove the environments that encourage mold and bacteria growth, keeping your building safe and sanitary.
Reduce The Risk Of Fire
Leaky garbage bags and the disposal of flammable substances can increase the risk of fire in your trash chute. Keeping your chute clean can help prevent serious issues with flammable substances catching fire in your chute.
Guidelines For Maintaining A Clean Chute
It’s recommended to get a professional trash chute cleaning twice a year, once in the summer and once in the winter. It’s best practice to include regular cleanings in your maintenance program and contract early so it doesn’t get missed.
It’s important to remember that keeping a clean chute is a collective effort. Inform your tenants of proper disposal guidelines as follows:
- Make sure waste is securely bagged. Leaky or untied bags are the leading cause of dirty chutes, so please securely bag and tie all of your waste before disposal.
- Make sure waste can easily fit in the chute. Overly large waste significantly increases the risk of a blockage. Removal can be difficult and if not removed quickly, blockages can cause the buildup of trash. This can be a huge inconvenience for all occupants and can be very expensive to remove.
- If you notice any issues with the trash chute, please inform management
A clean trash chute is vital to a hygienic waste management system, not only for the smell, but for the safety of your tenants. For all of your exterior cleaning needs, from trash chute cleaning, to gutter cleaning and maintenance, to power washing, SNUGS is here to help, days, nights, or weekends. Get your property maintenance needs taken care of without the headache of doing it yourself on top of your regular management duties.
Snugs Pro Wash, Inc, dba SNUGS Services, has been providing high quality Pressure Washing Services in Portland, OR since 1995. Started as a residential pressure washing and roof cleaning service, SNUGS is now one of the leading exterior cleaning companies in the Northwest. From our humble beginnings as a man with a truck and a trailer we have grown to become a multi-million dollar company serving corporate customers, name brands, and mom and pop companies alike.