KC Restoration

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Tips to Help Save Metal Surfaces from Corrosion During Winter

  

Cold weather, ice and snow are all on the way.  Soon you will be calling a contractor to remove snow and ice from many surfaces to prevent accidents on your property.  This is an important safety measure to ensure building occupants and visitors do not slip and fall, but materials that help melt the ice and snow take a toll on many exterior and interior metal surfaces.

Did you know that the chloride ion molecules in deicers interact with the metal in an electrochemical reaction which accelerates the metal molecule’s interaction (oxidation) with the surrounding oxygen into metal-oxide molecules? This results in what is commonly called rust.

When ice melt is not cleared away from your metal, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum or anodized aluminum siding, corrosion begins. Metal corrosion is a concern primarily in parking garages due to the steel rebar that is in the concrete to reinforce it.

The common dry non chloride deicers that are used to avoid corrosion are CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate), sodium acetate and urea. The primary non chloride liquid for anti-icing use on pavement is potassium acetate. Note that none of these chemicals have the word “chloride” in them.

A few chloride-based deicers are claiming to be “less corrosive”. These products contain 95 – 99 percent chlorides and have about one 1 percent CMA added. CMA costs about 20 times as much per pound as salt; this is why only a “pinch” can be added to a common deicer. There is currently no evidence supporting the claim that adding any amount CMA to salt helps reduce the corrosiveness of chlorides.

If the price non-corrosive deicer exceeds your budget, there are some steps you can take to minimize the corrosion process and avoid costly repairs:

  1. Place mats both outside and inside all entrances
  2. Increase frequency of cleanings
  3. Try to keep the snowmelt from building up on any of your metal
  4. Once warmer temperatures arrive, pressure wash areas exposed to ice melt

For more information on how to protect and maintain your building’s exterior through the winter, contact KC Restoration today. We are the trusted experts in restoration, beautification and preservation.

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Exterior Signs Say a Lot

Although we are moving more toward a world of digital advertising, brick-and-mortar businesses must still rely on physical signage to help bring in customers. Signage is one of the most important marketing strategies for local businesses, as it can be used for both branding and advertising.

On-premise signs are among the most important elements of visual communication and are essential for the success of many businesses. The way your sign looks and the message it contains can cause people to stop and come in or pass on by. It’s important to keep your company’s sign visible, attractive and styled to match your industry.

KC Restoration worked with Metal 1 recently on a sign for the Silo Modern Farmhouse restaurant located at the Canyon Farms Golf Club. Metal 1 fabricated the metal and while KC Restoration provided the custom finish. This restaurant has built a solid reputation of serving handmade pastas, freshly baked breads and locally sourced ingredients for farm to table meals.  Their exterior facility sign needed to match the ambiance of their rustic branding.

Our team was able to create a custom artistic process that applied multiple layers of patinas to produce an antique and rustic look to a previously modern metal sign. The custom look created the appearance of a natural rusting that can happen over a large number of years. Patrons entering or walking by could now associate the restaurant with a more natural and provincial setting.  Restroom and event signs were also refinished with the artistic patina.

Exterior signage is an advertising and branding tool that can generate an increase in a business’s customer base and referrals. If your sign needs a restoration, refinishing or deep cleaning service to attract more customers and increase curb appeal, contact KC Restoration today. We can improve the appearance of any wood, metal or stone sign.

 

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Increase Building Occupant Satisfaction with Metal Refinishing

 

  

Many facility and property managers struggle with how to transform outdated and worn entrances, elevators and other metal interior surfaces into clean, modern and appealing finishes that will enhance the image of their facility.

Managers often want shiny stainless steel or custom patina, but they worry about the cost of purchasing and installing brand new metal assets. However, there is a more cost-effective solution. You can achieve the look you want for your metal finishes with refinishing services. Metal refinishing transforms the look of existing metal at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

Many organizations face tremendous pressure to increase tenant and visitor satisfaction scores through superior aesthetic value and cleanliness. Professional refinishing services helps to attain these goals. Worker satisfaction is essential to the success of any business. A well-maintained facility makes occupants and visitors feel safe, comfortable and confident. Building materials, maintenance programs and other aspects can all influence perceptions.

From entryways to elevators to bathrooms, the look and feel of a building makes a difference. Dirty and damaged surfaces can degrade the experience of a visitor and occupant, but proactive maintenance and restoration services can help ensure a positive experience.

When it’s time to revitalize the look of a building, consider metal restoration instead of replacement and avoid the cost and inconvenience of installing new assets. Our team of experts can help you upgrade the image of your facility by restoring any satin, mirror, stainless, copper, aluminum, bronze or brass finishes. Our technicians can work around your schedule to complete the job on time while minimizing disruptions to visitors and staff. For more information, contact KCR today!

 

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First Aid Kits: What You Need to Know

When injuries occur on the job, the first aid kit becomes the most important toolbox at any facility. Even if designated personnel have completed first aid training, emergency medical supplies may not be readily available. In the event of an emergency medical situation caused by a serious injury accident, proper and prompt treatment can greatly reduce the severity of the injury and possibly prevent the death of a co-worker.

The suggested contents of a well-prepared first aid kit include:

  • Handbook with illustrations for an important and quick reference guide
  • PPE: 3-Pair latex gloves, surgical masks, dust masks, or other needed face protections such as clear eye protection or face shield
  • 6 large and sterile gauze pads (sizes: 2X2’s, 3X3’s, and 4X4’s) and 3 compress dressings
  • 3 rolled gauze bandages that are 2″ and 3″ wide and a large box of assorted bandages
  • 2 elastic wrap bandages (ace wrap).
  • Alcohol, peroxide, alcohol swabs, antiseptic spray and ointment, burn gel or cream, pain relief tabs, cotton balls and Q-tips
  • 2 surgical or athletic tape rolls that are l” and 2″ wide
  • Good quality eye-wash solution, with eye cup and liquid antiseptic hand soap
  • Blunt-nose surgical scissors, tweezers, safety pins, and a snake-bite kit

Keep in a Specified Location at All Times

The first aid kit is useless if you can’t find it. Know the location of your first aid kit, and be familiar with its contents and how to use them.

Basic first aid rules:

  • Do not move an injured person unless necessary to prevent further injury.
  • Keep the accident victim warm and dry.
  • Keep the injured person quiet and lying flat on his/her back.
  • Check the victim’s airway, breathing, and circulation. Keep the victim’s head level with his/her body.
  • Do not give liquids to a person that is not fully conscious.
  • Remember to follow your emergency response plan.
  • Send someone to call the paramedics or ambulance (before calling, have key details such as: type of injury, exact location of where the injury victim is, and if available, a contact number).
  • Instruct the caller where to send the ambulance. Be clear, calm, and concise as to the location, and the best route to take.
  • Send someone to meet and direct the ambulance so valuable time is not wasted.
  • Stop heavy bleeding by applying pressure with a large compress bandage and keep the injured arm or leg elevated.
  • Follow procedures for blood-borne pathogen safety.
  • If the victim is not breathing, begin CPR if properly trained.
  • Never exceed your level of first aid training!

Also remember to always notify management whenever the first aid kit is accessed, or whenever first aid is administered so adjustments to the facility’s first aid kit can be made. For more information, contact KC Restoration today!

 

Contact Us

KC Restoration, LLC
1465 N. Winchester St., Olathe, KS 66061
913-766-2200