Customer name – Officeworks

Suburb – Kew, Melbourne, Victoria

Property Type – Multiple storey building

Property Description – This Officeworks store is part of a complex housing multiple stores in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs.

Reason for call-out – The Officeworks signage, which was bonded to the top of the complex building, had been tagged by graffiti vandals.

Initial assessment – We were called to the retail complex in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to inspect the building. The building façade featured the logos of a few retailers, but unfortunately, Officeworks had been singled out, and only their sign had been tagged by vandals. The client wanted us to paint over the sign, but we discovered it was made of vinyl, so a repaint was out of the question. If you just paint over the area that is sprayed, it’s going to stand out because you can’t get a colour match with a sign that has faded a bit over time. Instead, we recommended we remove the spray paint using specialised products. It’s not something they had thought about, but they were open to it, and we were confident this was the best solution for them.

Description of work performed – The damaged sign was on the third floor of the complex, so it was quite a challenge to access. We checked the roof for anchor points, but there wasn’t anything suitable, so we had to install another temporary anchorage. This saved the client the expense of installing a rope-access system for a one-off job, however, so it was a good call.

The Officeworks sign was made of vinyl stretched on canvas, so we had to be careful that the graffiti removal product we used didn’t affect the blue dye of the logo while it was removing the spray paint. We sprayed on the chemical to the spray-painted area and left it on the sign for about 10 minutes. We then scrubbed off the graffiti using wet rags.

Areas of property treated – The Officeworks signage on the external façade of the third floor was treated with graffiti removal spray and then scrubbed off by hand using rags and water.

Considerations – The spray paint and the product we use is toxic, so we had to make sure the public wasn’t exposed to any of it, or falling items, while we were working on site. We created an exclusion zone below us, which covered the main entrance to the building. We also made sure we had signage up alerting the public to the works above, and a spotter to warn them and direct them to a different entrance.

Preventative recommendations – Graffiti taggers are generally teenagers, just fooling about. The problem is they hop the fence and then access the building, putting their lives at risk. While you want to deter them from spraying graffiti, you also don’t want anyone falling off the building. We chatted with the client about looking at how they could improve the safety aspects of the building to prevent tragedies from occurring if anyone accessed the complex. Locking the rooftop car park after hours, or putting fencing up, are both easy solutions we proposed.

Customer feedback/thoughts – The client was pleased with the solution we offered them, which was effective and affordable, and enabled them to avoid repainting the sign. We removed the spray paint damage without causing the blue dye of the sign to fade.

Duration – In total, the job took us two hours to complete, using a three-person team.

Summary – We were happy we could offer Officeworks a cost-effective solution to remove the graffiti damage from their signage. The graffiti was removed without affecting the dye of the vinyl signage. Melbourne properties are always at risk of being hit with graffiti, so it’s important to look at how we can help the client prevent future tagging too.

We can help you beat graffiti

Off Your Wall specialises in removing graffiti tags or murals placed on residential and commercial buildings by vandals across Melbourne. Our team uses the most effective and safest paint cleaning techniques. We also use products on surfaces that can safeguard them from damage if they are spray painted. Our team is fully trained and adhere to safety regulations and protocols. Off Your Wall is fully covered for work-cover and public liability.

With Off Your Wall you can expect punctuality, efficiency, and quality workmanship. Call us as soon as you discover spray-painted damage to your property – the sooner we get to it, the easier it is to remove.

Contact our experts at Off Your Wall for more information about our graffiti cleaning service.

The post Case Study – Officeworks Graffiti Removal Kew Melbourne appeared first on Off Your Wall.

Customer name – Ross Gooding

Suburb – Hawthorn, Melbourne, Victoria

Property Type – Two-storey building

Property Description – The Lido Cinema is housed in a two-storey, heritage-listed building that fronts a busy high street.

Reason for call-out – Lido Cinemas requested we repaint the façade of the building and install new signage, which was made up of words quoted from a film they were promoting.

Initial assessment  –  As the building was painted white, we made the recommendation to pressure wash the external walls first to remove debris and dirt before repainting them with black paint. The building also had a dozen windows facing the street on the first floor, which needed to be repainted also. Due to the age of the building we needed to ensure there was a system for rope access. We also needed to check for power line clearance as we can only come within three metres of any cabling or electrical wires as part of safety regulations. The signage was quite large – at 30 metres long, so we had to check access to ensure that everyone remained safe during the installation.

Description of work performed – The building has a rooftop cinema, and this allowed easy access, which is where we were able to rig up our safety gear. The building had a strong steel structure already, which was able to hold the load, so we didn’t need to install any further anchors.

First, we pressure washed the outside concrete walls of the building in preparation for paint. We went from one side of the building to the other using the high pressure washer to get rid of all the dirt, grime, algae build-up, moss and other debris which had accumulated over time. For jobs like this good preparation is vital.

For the first phase, cut in using hand brushes around the actual Lido signage and around the window frames. By hand brushing the detailed areas first, you can save time when it comes to rolling the walls because you don’t need to constantly swap out tools. This is referred to within the painting industry as ‘cutting in’. It’s about ensuring neatness and efficiency. We then painted the first coat, followed with three thick layers of matte black paint on the entire façade.

Once the paint was dry, we began work on the signage. A professional signwriter supplied us with the template, which was a three-metre by three-metre sheet of material that had been digitally printed. We abseiled down with the letter template and screwed it into the wall using tappets.

Using the template, we then applied the corresponding laser cut plastic letters we’d been given. Once the template had been filled with all the letters, we left it for a few days to make sure it was fully dry, and the plastic letters were stuck to the wall. All we needed to do them was abseil back down and remove the template, leaving the signage correctly spaced and aligned on the wall.

Areas of property treated –. The front façade of the building.

Considerations – The building was heritage listed, so we had to make sure we didn’t alter the façade permanently in any way, apart from repainting it and installing the temporary signage.

Preventative recommendations – We always recommend clients have their walls pressure washed annually to keep the façade looking good, and to keep the paint warranty valid. It’s definitely worthwhile discussing paint options with us before we quote. When painting we use high quality products which include a paint warranty – usually of up to 10 years.

Customer feedback/thoughts – The client was very pleased with the quality of our work. Once we had repainted the building and installed the signage, he asked us to take a look at the existing Lido signage that needed attention. For that, we used spray guns on the steel signs, and they came out looking incredible.

Duration – It took a team of two, two full days to pressure wash the building. In total, with cleaning, preparation, and painting, the job was finished in three weeks.  

Summary  – The Lido Cinema was repainted black, and plastic lettering was placed on the walls as part of a movie promotion. The client also commissioned us to remove the signage when the campaign was finished.

Is your building ready for a makeover?

Off Your Wall works all across Melbourne, offering painting, roof and gutter cleaning, commercial window cleaning, high-pressure cleaning, graffiti removal, and more. We can tailor our service to your needs, and you can have peace of mind knowing that Off Your Wall pride ourselves on our punctuality, efficiency, and quality workmanship. Our team is fully insured and licensed.

Contact our experts at Off Your Wall to chat about how we can restore your property to its prime. We’d love to chat with you about how we can help you. Because we offer a full range of services, you only need to deal with us. No sub-contractors – just the quality team of Off Your Wall.

The post Case Study – Lido Cinema Hawthorn Signage & Facade Painting appeared first on Off Your Wall.

Customer – Footscray Plaza

Suburb – Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria

Property Type – Shopping centre

Property Description – Footscray Plaza is a nine-floor, multi-residential, mixed-use, and retail development in Melbourne’s inner-west.

Reason for Call out – Graffiti vandalism over five floors of the shopping plaza.

Initial assessment – We were called in to the shopping centre in Melbourne’s inner west due to graffiti vandalism. Upon arriving the property manager showed us where the graffiti damage had occurred. It was pretty surprising to see the murals extended up to five storeys – from the ground floor parking lot to the balconies of some of the apartments above. There was definitely some risk involved by climbing the building’s external steel beam structure and tagging the alucobond facade of the building.

It was pretty obvious to tell from the type of spray paint used, and the extent of the damage that this was most likely caused by someone who knew what they were doing, and not simply an amateur out to to post a few tags and make a statement. The murals had been painted a couple of months before we were called, which makes removal more challenging. The problem with this is that when the paint is exposed to the sun for a long time, it essentially gets ‘baked on’ and is more difficult to remove. The external cladding also had a plastic-like surface, which was a concern as often chemicals used to remove paint can often result in an unwanted chemical reaction. It became obvious that what was thought to be a relatively straight forward job, turned into a big one once we realised the severity of the vandalism.

Description of work performed – At first we tried the high pressure water gun, but due to the fact that the paint had set hard in the sun, it was a slow and tedious process. As an alternative, we gave the client the option of performing a “trial patch” using graffiti cleaner. This is essentially a spray-on chemical specifically designed to remove graffiti. We apply the product onto the affected area, leave it on for about 10 minutes, after which the paint can be removed using a wet rag and lots of scrubbing.

The client agreed to the trial, and we worked on a small test patch, which worked well. We quoted on the cost of cleaning the façade compared to repainting it, and the graffiti cleaning option, using chemicals with hand cleaning, was more cost-effective for the client, so he gave us the go-ahead.

One of the challenges was to prevent the paint from dripping further down the façade as it diluted. To avoid this happening, we added a water pressure spray to the process.

Areas of property treated – The external cladding over five floors was treated with graffiti removal spray and then scrubbed off by hand using rags and a water pressure machine.

Considerations – The spray paint, along with the chemicals needed to remove it, are toxic. We made sure our team wore protective clothing, respirators, and goggles. They also needed to use ropes to access the damaged areas, which meant they had to take special care not to expose the protective ropes to the chemicals. Long-term chemical exposure to the harness and other items can lead to deterioration if they are not properly cleaned when a job is completed.

To protect residents of the building and the public, an exclusion zone was set out in the car park below to ensure safety for everyone.

Preventative recommendations – Unfortunately, Footscray is a high-risk area for graffiti vandalism. We suggested that the building be treated with an anti-graffiti product. If the building is vandalised in the future, removal, along with the cleaning process, would be much easier. We also talked about the importance of removing graffiti as soon as it occurs, rather than waiting a couple of months, which worsens the problem. As an extra measure, we also recommended they review their security measures, including building monitoring systems and cameras.

Customer feedback/thoughts – The client was pleased with the solution we offered them, which was both effective and affordable. It also enabled them to avoid having to repaint the building.

Duration – Although it was a big job, in the end, it only took a team of two from Off Your Wall three days to complete.

Summary – We work with our clients to offer the best cost-effective solution for graffiti damage, as well as providing long-term solutions to lower the risk of being hit by vandals. We also offer wall treatments that protect the façade or walls of a property from spray paint, so it to be removed with ease if vandals hit it again.

End result below upon completion.

Have graffiti vandals hit your building?

Off Your Wall works all across Melbourne, removing graffiti tags or murals placed on residential and commercial buildings by vandals. Our cleaners are trained in the latest and safest paint cleaning techniques, putting the safety of your family or clients first. We adhere to strict safety regulations, are fully licensed and insured, giving you peace of mind knowing that we are fully covered for work-cover and public liability.

Punctuality, efficiency, and quality workmanship are part of Off Your Wall’s values. We look forward to discussing with you how we can help solve your graffiti problem today and put in place precautions to prevent damage occurring in the future.

Contact our experts at Off Your Wall for more information about our graffiti cleaning service.

The post Case Study – Footscray Plaza Shopping Centre Graffiti Removal appeared first on Off Your Wall.

How often you should have your windows cleaned is dependent upon a number of factors. The type of property, as well as its location can both come into play. However in most cases, we generally recommend a twice-a-year cleaning service.

Having your windows cleaned at least every six months ensures the glass is well maintained and doesn’t become stained.

Maintaining commercial buildings

We highly encourage our corporate clients to have their windows cleaned more frequently. In particular, for densely populated areas, where there’s a lot of traffic as glass can become stained due to vehicle traffic, dirt and the elements combined.

General dirt and dust is unavoidable, but this can be managed with regular maintenance. Once stains make their way to the surface, the cleaning process becomes much more involved which results in the job costing more. With windows that are heavily stained, we would usually need to use a heavy duty cleaner with a cutting compound, which is three to four times more expensive than regular cleaning.

The actual facade of the building is also a factor to be considered. Any overhanging sections can result in unwanted water flow over exposed windows which can (over time) lead to further staining. It should be noted that dirty water that runs from the sill will eventually etch into the paint itself, and onto the building. When this happens, a full pressure wash is usually required, and in some cases a complete repainting of the building altogether.

In line with regular window maintenance, we also usually suggest that customers clean the actual building itself, as part of their maintenance routine. Ideally, you’d want to get the windows cleaned twice a year, and wash the building at least once a year, especially with those with newly-painted walls.

Location matters

The location of the building is another important factor that we consider when evaluating a window cleaning job, as there are types of surfaces that attract more staining than others.

If the building, for instance, is located near or right on the beach, there is a tendency for the salt to stain the glass, and eventually make its way into the paint.

Both buildings near the beach and those that are located in busy cities are both likely to stain heavily, but buildings near the beach have a bigger tendency to get dirty faster because of the salt compounds and sand in the air. Inner city buildings also stain due to dioxide from pollution, but this is not as damaging to the facade, and has less staining.

We usually recommend that properties along the beach or waterways have their windows cleaned at least three times a year, and invest towards pressure washing too.

Get in touch

Off You Wall offers safe and effective high-rise abseiling services such as window cleaning and maintenance, facade cleaning, graffiti removal, and high pressure cleaning. Our accredited staff  use the latest equipment that guarantee the best results. Give us a call for more information or to schedule a site visit.

The post How Often Should a Strata Complex Have The External Windows Cleaned? appeared first on Off Your Wall.

There are a number of factors that come into play when quoting on a high rise window cleaning job.

The type of building, accessibility, the weather, height of the structure and so forth.

The main factor however is how much work our team can get done in a typical working day. Our day rates are typically around $85 per person, with a minumum of 2 people working at any given time (crews must work in pairs for safety reasons). High rise buildings usually involve crews of 3, which equates to roughly $1,200 minimum for a standard day of seven and a half hours.

Rates and building types

Rates vary for different building types.

The higher the building, the more expensive the rate becomes. The difference for a 20-story building, as opposed to a three-story office block, for instance, won’t be the same. This is due simply to the additional safety processes and work involved.

Weather is also a factor that contributes towards cost. When cleaning windows, we always work from the top-down so that previously cleaned windows aren’t left dirty. We also need to consider which way the wind is travelling which of course determines which face of the building we work on, and in which direction. All of this takes time, especially when having to rig up and move around the building safely.

Speed is another factor to be considered when costing. When working at height we can’t simply rush a job through. It’s essential that we take our time and ensure all tie downs and anchor points are secure, equipment is secure and no one is at risk of injury. We also need to take into account how long it’s going to take between each drop when moving to the next level.

For jobs that are less than seven hours, we do a minimum charge of two workers for three hours—two men at three hours minimum at $90 per hour. Every hour after this, is billed at $85 per worker.

The quoting process

Unlike a lot of other services, there’s no fixed rate pricing for high rise window cleaning. That’s simply because every building is unique in it’s own way. A visual inspection is always necessary before being able to provide an accurate quote.

The inspection allows us to check for things such as general access, anchor points, equipment, and so forth. In addition we need to ensure that all anchor points have been tested and certified.

We then evaluate the actual job that needs to be done, and work out a pricing estimation.

A simple equation might be (for examples sake) approximately five minutes to clean two windows on every floor. We factor in things like the number of windows, how many levels, and roughly how much we can actually get done in a day. Then we simply multiply that by how many days it would take to clean.

Again, every building is different, so it’s always best to simply give us a call and we’ll come out and inspect and provide you with a free quote.

Maintenance work and odd hours

The cost will usually always be less for well maintained buildings.

If we’re cleaning windows that are well maintained and have been cleaned within a 6 month period, then there’s going to be a lot less work involved as opposed to a neglected building that requires a lot of work. We always recommend 6 monthly cleans for high rise windows, which can reduce the rates considerably.

Another thing to note is that if we’re called back to a building we’ve cleaned windows for previously, because we’re already familiar with the building itself, access and anchor points, it’s going to be a much easier process, and one that we’ll be able to get through more efficiently.

Occasionally there might be jobs that cost more.

For instance, if we’re requested to perform the job at night because there’s too much pedestrian traffic or busy cafes below where we’ll be working. This rarely happens, however. Most of the time, the rate stays the same.

Ready to work with us?

Our payment terms are seven days upon completion of the work. If you’re ready to talk to us about costing of cleaning or maintenance, or would like to learn more about our services, give us a call and we’ll schedule a site visit.

Off the Wall’s professional and trained staff promises a safe and efficient service, we always make sure to leave your property in the best shape possible.

The post How Much Does High Rise Window Cleaning Cost? appeared first on Off Your Wall.

Prior to 2013, anchor points or fall arrest systems within Australia were subject to some pretty lack luster regulations. However all that has changed with the introduction of AS/NZS 5532:2013 This was a regulation released in order to ensure further safety for single-point anchor device used for harness-based work at height.

Off Your Wall work in strict accordance with these regulations and are licensed, certified installers and testers of a wide range of anchor points. Here’s some useful information about anchor points, their purpose and importance within the industry.

What are anchor points?

Anchor points are restraint points which are essential parts of fall protection systems. Used by workers who operate at heights, anchor points are designed and tested to prevent injury or death by way of falls. Before having anchor points installed, it’s important that you understand the different types of anchors and their roles.

Different types of anchor points

There are several types of anchor points, one of which is an abseiling anchor. As the name suggests, this is for tradesmen who abseil or rappel down from heights. This type of anchor is designed to take the worker’s load at all times.

A fall arrest, on the other hand, is a type of anchor which involves the safe stopping of a person already falling. An example of a fall arrest system may be a catch platform, lifelines or a rope grab.

Of course when it comes to installation and testing costs, prices vary. Our average hourly rate is $85, but this isn’t a fixed rate. It really depends on the different factors we need to take into account, such as the time it takes to install the system, and the type of roof structure. Factors such as this may affect our overall quote.

Anchor point certification

Our company’s services include the certification process, along with being licensed to re-certify anchors. We have qualified technicians who ensure that your anchors are safe and are compliant with Australian standards.

The certification process starts with a checklist that our staff goes through during every inspection, which ensures that everything is safe to use.

For example, if we are working on an anchor that’s been set into the concrete, we blow tip it with a cold machine, and load it up to a predetermined rating to ensure it can handle the weight. If the anchor has been screwed into a purlin, we check all the fixings to ensure correct placement, as well as to ensure there’s no rust or corrosion around key areas.

With fall arrest lines and static lines, we make sure that all the tensioners are secure and all the split-pins are facing the right direction, and that there’s no frays on the actual steel cabling itself.

If the anchors are not certified, is it safe to use them?

No, and it is imperative that building owners certify anchors every 12 months. Re-certification assures that the anchors are always fit for use. If something happens and we use those anchors and they’re uncertified, both the company and you, as a customer, will be held liable.

During a site visit, our staff check and tag each individual inspected anchor with a sticker that says that it’s been inspected and rated. If there is an anchor that is no longer fit for use, we decommission or remove it.

Once completed, we accomplish a certificate containing details on how many anchors are tested and the results. We will then pass this to the building manager or the body corporate. We do not charge the certification process, as it’s already included in our quotation.

Interested in working with us?

Off Your Wall provides trusted and safe anchor installation and testing. If you’d like to learn more about our services, or if you’re ready for a quotation, simply get in touch with our friendly staff and we’ll schedule a meeting with you,

The post Why Anchor Point & Fall Arrest System Testing Matters appeared first on Off Your Wall.

When it comes to how long a job might take, it’s often difficult for us to know, until of course we perform a visual inspection of the building itself. For bigger jobs obviously, it comes down to us assigning more man power. The simple rule of thumb is this – the bigger the crew, the faster the job will get done.

However there’s usually a bit more to it than that.

What you need to know is that there’s a number of contributing factors that we need to take into account before being able to give any sort of accurate guesstimate on timeframes.

For apartment buildings, say 2 or 3 levels, jobs like this may only take a day or two. But again it depends on the nature of the building, and accessibility. For example, anchor points.

Anchor points are required by law for reasons of safety. In order for us to perform the work safely, without injury to not only ourselves but occupants of the building and pedestrians below, we need to “tie off” on anchor points. Of course, the more anchors points there are, the quicker our team can rig up and move around, and the faster the process will be.

If there are however limited number of anchor points, this can cause delays as we might need to look at alternative access points.

Another contributing factor of course is the weather.

Obviously we can’t perform any type of building maintenance, cleaning or repairs during bad weather or storms, so that can cause delays. Also, buildings in high wind areas may also lead to jobs taking longer, simply for safety reasons. Again, ensuring our own safety, ensuring equipment isn’t blown or dislodged in any way and of course ensuring the safety of others.

You might be surprised to know that sometimes working on high rise buildings is often less windy to smaller office blocks as they can be protected from the wind by surrounding buildings.

In addition to this, the type of windows themselves can play a huge part of how long the job might take.

For instance, louvered windows or windows composed of parallel glass blinds or shutters take longer to clean simply because of their makeup. Many buildings also don’t always have a parapet, which is a protective extension of wall along the edge of a building where one can safely stand and look over the edge. Buildings without this feature take longer as there’s greater risks involved.

Another point that many building managers often overlook is the amount of time it might take to physically carry all of our equipment to the top level. This can be further problematic in buildings where access cards are required. Having to share, or request access cards or keys can often cause further delays.

Final point is the condition of the glass. Buildings that have been neglected for lengthy periods of time take longer simply because there’s more work involved.  When performing the initial inspection of a job, we evaluate if there’s a need to deep-clean the windows, as opposed to a regular maintenance clean, which is suitable for minor stains and dirt like bug marks and cobwebs.

Badly stained glass on the other hand, may require a much longer process of using a cutting compound to scrub the windows and remove the dirt.

Ready to work with us?

Off Your Wall provide the widest range of commercial property maintenance and window cleaning services in Melbourne, and thanks to our years of experience and expertise we have an outstanding reputation for quality and customer service

We’re dedicated to bringing you the very best service that will:

• Give you peace of mind that you’re getting professional workmanship every time
• Fit in with your budget and your schedule – we know that having work done in and around your business can be disruptive, so we aim to minimise any hassle for you
• Exceed your expectations, whether it’s for a one-off job, a long term project or scheduled maintenance work
• Offer a range of related services such as painting, roof and gutter cleaning, graffiti removal and much more. This means less work for you chasing around contractors or trying to organise different companies to get jobs done for you.
• Provides ultimate coverage right across Melbourne.

Contact Off Your Wall today for 100% guaranteed top quality service.

The post How Long Does Commercial Window Cleaning Take? appeared first on Off Your Wall.

That is why it essential that you look towards keeping your office – both the interior and the exterior – clean at all times. The benefits will be huge if you do. You will notice a boom in productivity, a jump in employee happiness and more importantly, a boost in sales. How can this happen? Continue reading this blog to find out…

It Motivates Your Employees

Creating a healthy and clean environment for your employees will see them contribute more to the business. Studies have shown that employees that are happy with the environment of their office, work harder and produce higher levels of productivity. Keeping your office clean will be part of that. A healthy workplace will see your employees want to stay and do their jobs, so you have to ensure that your office is sparkling for your team.

It Gives A Great Impression To Your Clients 

The difference between employees and clients is that while your team might be able to endure your workplace, your clients don’t have to. Worse, they make first impressions before you get the chance to make a sales pitch. But if your office is clean, sharp looking, then your clients and future customers are going to be impressed when they walk in. And that is what you want.

Another difference too is that clients just don’t judge the inside of your office, but the outside. Having dirty windows might seem like nothing, but it gives a poor impression that you don’t care about your business.

How Do You Solve This Problem? 

When your office is dirty, you are risking productivity, time and money dropping. There is only one way to address the problem: cleaning it. Yes, you can do it yourself, but would you want to spend company time cleaning windows, washing floors and removing rubbish? No, you don’t. So save your time and money by reaching out to a professional office cleaner. You can book weekly, fortnightly, monthly sessions or just a one-off appointment, so your office always maintains its clean and slick look. This also applies to the exterior of your building. Having clean windows, a clean roof and curb appeal will reach out to your customers that you care about your business and you’re successful. Book in an appointment with a professional team to make your life easier.

Off Your Wall can be that team. With years of experience and an in-depth cleaning knowledge, we can provide you with the best window cleaning service for business in Melbourne. Contact us today for a non-obligation free quote to enjoy our stunning service.

The post Why A Dirty Office Is Hurting Your Business – And How To Fix It! appeared first on Off Your Wall.