How to Know When a Pipe Should Be Lined or Replaced in Your Commercial Plumbing System

September 18th, 2023
pipe-long-blue

When it comes to the plumbing in your commercial facility, you’ll sometimes have to face the question of what to do about deteriorating pipes. There are two basic options: have the pipe completely replaced or arrange for pipe lining to repair the pipe from the inside. 

Pipe lining technology has advanced significantly, making it an option in more situations than before. But sometimes it’s better to have a replacement. Making the right decision about “repair vs. replace” can save you plenty of time and money in the long run—both valuable commodities for your business.

At Althoff, we understand the importance of this decision, and we offer both pipe lining and pipe replacement in Elgin, IL and throughout Chicagoland. Below we’ll look at several of the factors that will affect whether you need us to reline your aging pipes or replace them.

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Process Piping: What It Is, And Why You Need Experts to Handle It

September 4th, 2023

Process piping may sound like it’s simply another part of a plumbing system, but it’s quite different. The plumbing in a building, such as a commercial facility, is used to transport both water and waste and usually connects to municipal systems such as the freshwater supply and the sewer system. Process piping consists of the pipes that connect to processing machines, such as the machines used in commercial and industrial facilities: chemical plants, oil refineries, power plants, pharmaceutical plants, food processing plants, manufacturing or chemical plants, etc. 

The short version of this is that process pipes are used to facilitate process, i.e. the actual business of a manufacturing plant, chemical plant, food processing plant, etc. 

Because process piping must transport a wide range of gases and fluids other than water, they have special requirements for materials, size, and engineering.

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The Vital Role of Switchgear Maintenance for Commercial Businesses

August 21st, 2023

Without switchgear, your commercial facility wouldn’t have power sent to the right equipment and locations in your facility, which would not only harm general efficiency, it could also lead to extensive damage and even safety hazards. 

To ensure that the switchgear in your facility continues to work correctly for many years with few power interruptions, you’ll need to schedule routine maintenance for it from professionals. 

For comprehensive switchgear maintenance services in Chicago, IL, trust to Althoff Industries Commercial. Our team of professionals has more than 60 years of experience working with all types of commercial electrical services in the Chicagoland area. 

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Signs Your Commercial Boiler Needs Service

August 7th, 2023
commercial-boiler

Whether you run a hotel, office building, manufacturing plant, or healthcare facility, the commercial boilers delivering the necessary heat are essential for your business to keep running. If you can get ahead of repair issues before they become major problems, you’ll avoid numerous headaches.

We’re here to help you with a list of the warning signs that your boiler needs professional service. If you detect any of the signs below, reach out to our trained team for repairs. We’re the experts when it comes to commercial boilers in Naperville, IL and throughout Chicagoland.

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Common Challenges With Adopting Commercial Solar Energy Solutions

July 24th, 2023
solar-panel

One of the many jobs we do for local commercial and industrial businesses is solar panel installation in Naperville, IL, and throughout Chicagoland. We have handled several major solar projects for businesses, but we also handle projects on smaller scales. We can help find a solar solution for your business!

Adopting commercial solar energy doesn’t happen with just a snap of the fingers. There are several challenges to overcome. Thankfully, our slogan at Althoff Industries is “Challenges Accepted!” We’re used to tackling big projects and major challenges, and we overcome them. For all of the challenges below, you can put your trust in our experienced team to help you past them and into the future with solar energy.

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Did You Get a Backflow Testing Notice? We’ll Explain What This Means

July 10th, 2023
backflow-preventer

If you’re reasonably new to owning and operating a business, there are probably many new challenges that crop up from week to week. One of these surprises that often confuses business owners is when they receive a notification in the mail from the city that they must have blackflow prevention testing. What does this mean? Why is it important? And what do you do about it?

We’re the local experts when it comes to commercial plumbing in Elgin, IL and throughout Chicagoland, and we can give you the lowdown on backflow prevention testing—as well as take care of the necessary testing and certification when you need it.

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The Challenges of Clean Rooms

June 26th, 2023
virus-cells

A clean room is a carefully controlled environment that minimizes contamination of sensitive components or ingredients. It can only take a particle of dust or stray strands of hair to destroy or inhibit the product being worked on in the clean room. The challenge is keeping these areas fully sterile. Clean rooms play a vital role in several industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, microelectronics, and healthcare.

At Althoff, our team works with clean room equipment and follows all necessary protocols. We understand how important your clean room is for your operations, no matter the industry, and we can ensure you have the ideal sterile, clean environment. 

Creating and maintaining a clean room requires facing several major challenges to ensure their efficient operation. But, as we say at Althoff, “Challenges accepted!” Below, we’ll examine some of the significant challenges we overcome in our clean room services in Chicago, IL.

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Understanding HVAC Static Pressure in a Building

June 12th, 2023
commercia-rooftop-unit-with-technician

What do you think you specifically need from your commercial HVAC system? Your first thought is likely “heating and cooling.” But your commercial facility’s HVAC system also needs to maintain proper airflow to avoid issues with high static pressure.

If you don’t know what static pressure is and why it’s important, don’t worry. We’re experts in commercial HVAC in Chicago, IL and we can guide you through the basics on why high static pressure is a concern for a commercial indoor environment, what causes it, and how to detect it.

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The Hidden Risks of Neglecting Your Commercial Exhaust System

May 15th, 2023
commercial-air-duct-large

The exhaust system for your business is probably a part that you don’t pay much attention to. Like much of the HVAC system that works in your commercial or industrial facility, it’s mostly hidden, and when it malfunctions you may not at first notice a problem with the heating and cooling inside the building.

But neglecting the exhaust system and leaving it without regular maintenance from professionals can lead to disasters. Below we’re going to look at why you need to have routine maintenance for your whole commercial HVAC system, exhaust system included, so you’ll know when it’s time to schedule necessary exhaust system repair in Chicago, IL with our technicians.

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Choosing the Right Commercial Air Conditioning Contractor

May 1st, 2023
AC-units-roof

Air conditioning systems for commercial facilities have larger functions than those for residential buildings. For example, commercial cooling often works year-round since a building may need specific climate controls to protect equipment and to allow for certain processes. No matter the job of a commercial AC system, it needs to run reliably in peak condition to protect operations. Commercial AC maintenance is critical to keep systems efficient, compliant, and operational year-round. A well-maintained air conditioning system is essential for maintaining comfortable and operational business environments. Additionally, improving air quality through HVAC services creates a healthier environment, which can reduce employee sick days.

What should you look for in a commercial HVAC / AC contractor?

  • Valid licensing and insurance to protect against liability and ensure regulatory compliance
  • Proven experience and expertise, ideally with a portfolio of commercial or industrial projects
  • 24/7 emergency service capability to minimize downtime when systems fail
  • A mindset of innovation and customer service — not just repairs but smart, tailored solutions
  • Satisfaction guarantees or warranties that back the contractor’s work

This makes it imperative if you’re a business owner or operator to have the best contractor for your commercial AC in Naperville, IL, and throughout Chicagoland. We specialize in commercial HVAC services and have an experienced team of specialists dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions. Our team tailors every project to the unique needs of each business, ensuring optimal performance and satisfaction. Energy efficiency is a key focus in our commercial HVAC services, helping you reduce operational costs while maintaining system reliability. A local HVAC provider will have a better understanding of West Chicago’s climate and specific building codes. You want to choose carefully and do your research. What should you look for?

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