ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from August 2005

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from August 2005

Business is war: as June was coming to a close, a large number of professionals in various industries, including carpet cleaners, were the recipients of an interesting fax.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Sporting the headline, "An Important Notice to Distributors and Retailers Regarding Teflon Advanced Carpet Treatment," the fax asked, "Are you informing customers of potential exposure to PFOA from Teflon Advanced? If not... your company may...

Have a truckmount? You need these gadgets: extraction cleaning is the no. 1 approved method for carpet cleaning, according a majority of carpet manufacturers and mills.(The Gadget Man)
August 1, 2005... Almost everyone who has performed extraction cleaning has done so with a portable extractor at one time or another. Many have experienced the thrill of moving from portable to truckmount cleaning with its extra power and convenience. Along...

Baking soda or dry ice: which method is right for me?
August 1, 2005... A few years ago, when you mentioned media blasting to a restoration contractor, the usual response was, "What?" Today, the question most commonly asked is not "What is media blasting?" but "What is the right media blasting method for me?" ...

A look at different blasting media.(Coatings)
August 1, 2005... Media blasting is not limited to mold removal and smoke-damage situations. The blasting professional needs to understand how the process works, and why different media choices are necessary in different situations. When media, flying at high...

Your vehicle: another tool in your arsenal: over the years, there were indeed many facets of my cleaning business that I took great pride in. Certainly the quality of work we performed sits near the top of the list.(Column)
August 1, 2005... Customer service also ranks high. We took great pride in projecting ourselves as professionals and have always worn company uniforms. One oft-neglected variable in the 'professional appearance' category are the vans and trucks that carpet...

Oh, to do it all over again--part I.(Cleaning Equipment Maintenance Methods In Business enterprises)(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... "Oh to be twenty again but with the wisdom of fifty." --Anonymous Milestones happen. The days drag/ drift/ fly/ rush by and then you get smacked with another "place in time"--a date that forces you to stop, appreciate on what you have...

Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... The 2005 Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study is wrapped around the idea of taking an up-close look at the preferences and opinions of floor-care professionals as they pertain to truck-mounted carpet cleaning equipment and...

Wands and extraction tools: today's hot-water extraction cleaner has a wide range of wands and extraction tools to choose from when performing the cleaning process.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
August 1, 2005... Selecting which tool to use often depends on carpet type and condition, as well as the condition of the cleaning tech. Power heads are usually the tool of choice for us older guys because of their ease of use, as well as the need for some...

Sterifab labeled for upholstery and more.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Sterifab is "the accepted protocol for mattresses, upholstered furniture, wheelchairs, hospital beds, gym mats, carpets," and more, according to the company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Available in pints, gallons and 5-gallon containers,...

U.S. Products crowns a king.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The Ace TurboDryer from U.S. Products is the "King of Air when it comes to air movers, carpet dryers and ventilators," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ace features airflow tested at 2,000 CFM and a low amp draw of 1.5...

Bridgepoint offers restoration cleaning solution.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Hard Power from Bridgepoint Systems is "a hard-hitting, general purpose restoration cleaner designed to penetrate the worst soil and grease on almost any surface," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Formulated for fire and flood...

Spartan introduces the AquaSport program.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The AquaSport Waterborne Wood Floor Care Program from Spartan Chemical consists of five products developed to meet VOC regulation guidelines in all 50 states, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AquaSport brochure provides a...

Butler goes for maximum effect.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Maximum Liquid Enzyme from Butler is "an exclusive, concentrated, maximum performance pretreatment in an easy-to-use liquid that instantly dilutes with water to penetrate, break down, digest and decompose caked-on proteins, fats, oils, starches...

Manual teaches small-contents restoration.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Omegasonics has introduced its Ultrasonic Fire Restoration Procedures Manual specifically for the fire- and water-restoration industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The manual has detailed instructions for cleaning "virtually every type of...

Calendar of industry events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... Conventions & Trade Shows SEPT. 23 - 25: CONNECTIONS CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW Las Vegas. Call (888) 881-1001 OCT. 18 - 21: ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2005 Las Vegas. Call (800) 225-4772 FEB. 1-3: SURFACES 2006 Las...

Betco's multi-use green cleaning system to simplify cleaning.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Betco's Peroxidraw dispenser plus Green Earth Peroxide Cleaner "equals a multi-use cleaning system that will simplify cleaning," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Peroxidraw dispenser can be installed in minutes, is tamper...

Benefect cleaner makes an Impact.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Benefect Impact Carpet Cleaner can be used as a pre-spray or as an in-tank carpet extraction cleaner, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For use as an in-tank cleaner, mix 3 ounces of water with 1 gallon of water. After filling...

Interlink Supply offers first-ever catalog.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Interlink Supply introduced its first-ever catalog in June. The full-color book contains more than 210 pages of products both new and old. The catalog also includes a large parts section intended to make it easier for cleaners to perform their...

Butler goes after gum and grease.
August 1, 2005... Butler Gel Gum and Grease Remover is, "a maximum performance, concentrated gel formula with an exclusive blend of surfactants, solvents and stabilizers to penetrate and assist in the removal of gum, grease, tar, glue and oily substances," the...

Prochem introduces water-based sealer.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Prochem's new Tile and Grout Sealer is a water-based product designed to seal and protect grout and porous stone and tile with an advanced fluoropolymer technology, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The sealer "penetrates deep...

Pre-assembled blower provides reliable operation.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The Dresser ROOTS EasyAir 8000 is a compact, pre-assembled, skid-mounted blower unit with all piping, valves and instrumentation in place. Produced for both vacuum and pressure applications, the new package features a powder-coated noise...

Scot labs gives grease cutting a boost.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Scot's TUFF CitrusBoost GreaseCutting Additive is a citrus-based, nontoxic gel that the company says is safe for carpet and upholstery. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CitrusBoost can be added to any prespray, extraction detergent or...

Concrete-floor protector from Enviro-Solutions.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Blockade Concrete Sealer, a penetrating, water-based repellant sealer and finish from Enviro-Solutions, is designed specifically for concrete floors. Blockade was recently used on the concrete floors of a Canadian sports arena that sees more...

Karcher adds new line of pressure washers.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Karcher introduces a new line of commercial-duty, gas-powered, cold-water pressure washers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Honda engines ranging from 5HP to 13HP power the four models. All four feature the company's direct-drive pump with...

AMETEK introduces new motor-blower line.(Products)
August 1, 2005... AMETEK Commercial Motors Division has developed a new line of high-airflow CFM motor-blowers targeting industries that require high airflow and medium pressure. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The FLO-TEK 700 motor-blower utilizes a new fan and...

EnvirOx going after HBV.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Hydrogen peroxide-based H2Orange2 Concentrate 117 Multi-Purpose Cleaner-Sanitizer-Virucide-HBV from EnvirOx kills the Hepatitis B virus, 99.9 percent of other specified viruses, and 99.9 percent or common bacteria, the company said. ...

Spartan introduces extraction carpet cleaner.(Products)
August 1, 2005... CX3 Bio-assist from Spartan Chemical Co. is an extraction carpet cleaner "with a superior detergent system and the digestive cleaning power of Consume," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to Spartan, the soiled carpet...

FLIR ups the resolution.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The new, compact ThermaCAM EX320 from FLIR Systems, with a true, built-in 320X240 pixel array, provides "four times the resolution of any hand-held camera its size and in its price range," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In...

PrecisionTRAK allows for worldwide access.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Precision TRAK software from Precision Networks is "an intuitive web-based application designed exclusively for the carpet cleaning and restoration industry," that allows companies to run every aspect of their business from a single application...

CCS adds new machines, chemicals to lineup.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Carpet Care Systems has added two Brutes and The Clean-N-Vac G.E.M. to its lineup of low-moisture oscillating pad machines designed for commercial carpet. All three machines are available with optional pressure-fed spray systems that eliminate...

Delmhorst makes a MoistureCheck.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Delmhorst Instrument Co. introduces MoistureCheck, a 2-in-1 combination meter designed specifically for flooring installers, general contractors, home inspectors and IAQ specialists. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New innovations include full...

ProBlast takes aim at coatings.(Products)
August 1, 2005... ProBlast's Coating Removal System sports a user-friendly design to give the operator total control at the nozzle. The stainless steel blast pot and system was designed and tested by blasting professionals, is now available to all contractors....

Nextel offers GPS application for BlackBerry.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Nextel offers TeleNav GPS Navigation, the "first GPS application available on the BlackBerry platform with real-time turn-by-turn GPS navigation," the first in a series of location-based services that will be offered to Nextel customers on...

Eliminating paperwork in HindSite.(Products)
August 1, 2005... HindSite Software is a business management tool designed to eliminate the traditional paper work order, and increase professionalism and consistency in the field, the company said. HindSite allows the technician to use a PDA or Windows...

Aqua Mix removes the efflorescence.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Eff-Ex from Aqua Mix is an efflorescence remover "made possible through Aqua Mix's breakthrough EX-2 technology," the company said. A non-toxic, non-flammable, heavy-duty cleaners designed as an alternative to conventional products for the...

Interlink offers restoration supplies.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Interlink Supply offers a wide variety of equipment and accessories for restoration work. The Dust Mask is "essential in reducing exposure to particulate matter found in many restoration and cleaning situations, the company said, and are...

Kent simplifies wide-area, multi-surface cleaning.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The Blue 32 walk-behind battery-powered sweeper from Kent is "self-propelled to reduce operator fatigue and increase productivity, and versatile for cleaning both hard-floor surfaces and carpets," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Betco adds dual-motor vacs to lineup.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The DM1400T and DM1800T are the two newest additions to Betco's equipment line. Both dual-motor upright vacuums--one with a 14-inch cleaning path and one with an 18-inch path--offer an onboard tool kit that includes a telescoping wand for...

Scot introduces Encapsulating Acid Rinse.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Scot Laboratories introduces Scot's TUFF UltiMax Plus Encapsulating Acid Rinse. The advanced polymers supplement acid rinsing by crystallizing and eliminating sticky residues that lead to rapid re-soiling, the company said. The best...

Advance offers scrubbing alternatives.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The Micromax 20DX walk-behind automatic scrubber with traction drive from Advance "provides smaller facilities two alternatives to larger scrubbers in just one machine," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The scrubber operates...

Jordan David introduces Spiderz.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Spiderz Over-The-Shoe High Traction Footwear from Jordan David is designed "to provide superior slip resistance in virtually all slick conditions, from water and oil to grease and animal fats," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Pro Team offers near-HEPA filtration at lower cost.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Pro Team's Backpack Vacuum High Filtration Disc "approximates HEPA-type filtration at a fraction of the cost," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to ProTeam, the disc operates at almost the same efficiency as HEPA...

A&I Services holds CAD.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... More than 250 people made their way to the customer appreciation day put on by A&I Services in Santee, Calif., near San Diego, on July 11. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Attendees were treated to a picnic-style lunch, live music, games, and a...

Unck returns to Prochem.(Hank Unck Rejoined in PROCHEM Mixing Equipment Ltd.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Prochem recently announced that Hank Unck has rejoined the company as director of special markets. His responsibilities include corporate accounts, franchise accounts, Jon Don, Bridgepoint and international sales. Unck served as Prochem's...

Water Out holds Convention, unveils latest invention.(Marco Island)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Marco Island, Fla. played host to the 4th Annual Water Out Convention in June. Attendees who made the trek to the Marriot Marco Island Resort were privy to, among other things, the unveiling of what the company describes as "probably the...

IICRC develops new division.(Industry)
August 1, 2005... At its spring 2005 meeting, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification elevated the Hard Surface Floor Cleaning and Maintenance Task Force to a division of the Certification Council. The new division--the...

ASCR conference to focus on turbulent-market strategies.(Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The restoration council of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration is sponsoring "Weathering the Storm--Winning Strategies for Turbulent Times," in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 14-17. "Today's marketplace is as challenging as...

Dry Air Technology launches new site.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Dry Air Technology's new Web site at www.dryairtech.com features the company's lineup of offerings, including restoration and marine equipment, inflatables, and rentals. The straight-forward, no-nonsense site details the company's...

New Web site reflects growth, expanding product line.(Industry)
August 1, 2005... U.S. Products' new and expanded Web site at www.usproducts.com reflecting the company's continuing growth and expanding product line. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Last year, we started realizing how powerful a marketing tool our Web site...

York accepts position with LMCCA.(Ed York of Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Ed York has accepted an invitation by the Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner's Association to become technical advisor to the president of the LMCCA. York, founder of the SCT, the International Certification Registry, the IICUC, the Fiber...

DKI creates new award.(Disaster Kleenup International)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Disaster Kleenup International has created The Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Disaster Restoration in memory of Rick Bowers, a long-time DKI member, shareholder and board member who died June 3. The award will be presented annually to the...

Lab develops mold guidelines.(Pure Air Control Services)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Pure Air Control Services recently announced that its decade long research has allowed it to establish "important fundamental guidelines for air quality practitioners and consumers." "To date, the industry, both private and public, has not...

Ashkin Group recognizes Spartan's "green" achievements.(Spartan Chemical Co)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Ashkin Group recently awarded Spartan Chemical Co. a Green Cleaning Champion plaque "for Spartan's outstanding contributions to the green cleaning movement." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spartan manufactures Green Solutions, a line of...

ProTeam adopts new cleaning protocol.(XRF, X-Ray Fluorescence)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ProTeam is embracing a new carpet-cleaning testing protocol developed in a partnership of the Carpet and Rug Institute, NASA and private industry. The XRF, or X-Ray Fluorescence, method used by the CRI uses a handheld device to shoot a...

Scot Labs welcomes new distributors.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Scot Labs announces three new distributors for the company's Scot's TUFF line of cleaning chemicals. Cleanserv Cleveland, which opened its doors in March, Advantage Marketing with locations in Indianapolis and Cincinnati, and Innovative...

AmIAQ, IAQA and IESO announce unification plan.(American Indoor Air Quality Council)(Indoor Air Quality Association )(Indoor Environmental Standards Organization )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Three leading trade organizations serving professionals in the indoor environmental quality industry have announced plans for the consolidation and unification of their programs and activities. The American Indoor Air Quality Council, the...

ServiceMagic to acquire ImproveNet.(News)
August 1, 2005... ServiceMagic, Inc., and ImproveNet, Inc., recently announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement whereby ServiceMagic will acquire all of the outstanding stock, in-the-money warrants and stock options of ImproveNet. "By...

Green Seal announces standard initiation.(News)
August 1, 2005... Green Seal has announced that it is initiating development of an environmental standard for cleaning service providers, including building service contractors, now that it has received the necessary funding. "I am pleased to report that we...

Decisions, decisions: leasing vs. owning: in 2003 and 2004 we looked at some of the factors to consider when deciding which financial path to follow, leasing or owning. The same fundamentals explored then still apply today.(Building a Profitable Business)
August 1, 2005... There comes a time in the life of every business when, in order to grow and take advantage of every opportunity, it is necessary to extend beyond everyday assets and cash flow. Perhaps it's time to acquire a new truck and cleaning machine....

Breakdown! When equipment fails the clock keeps ticking: it's the beginning of the shift and Bob has been assigned the task of stripping a VCT floor. Bob is a skilled technician and knows exactly what to do.(Floor Maintenance )
August 1, 2005... After preparing the area for service, and setting up his equipment he applies the stripping solution to the area. He waits for the stripping solution to dwell and sets the 175-rpm rotary floor machine to begin the solution-agitation function....

Sewage cleanup situations.(query on sewage treatment in buildings)
August 1, 2005... Q: Is there ever a time when you would use different procedures to clean up sewage based upon the type of building you're working in? A: I am not clear on what you mean by "type of building." So I will assume that you are referring to how...

The ICS Product & Literature Guide.(Meyer and Sons Inc)
August 1, 2005... The ICS Product & Literature Guide is a special section devoted to profiling new products and literature for the cleaning and restoration industry. It is intended to give readers a brief opportunity to find out what is emerging in the...

Vehicle of the month.(C and E Services Inc)
August 1, 2005... Name: Steve Vyrostek Company Name: C&E Services, Inc. / WaterOut ESD, LLC Address: P.O. Box 14566 City: Phoenix State: Arizona ZIP: 85063 Phone: 877-GET-1DRY E-Mail: steve@wateroutphoenix.com Vehicle...

The new faces at the IICRC: the IICRC never sleeps. Not for very long that is; right now, there is someone, somewhere working on the IICRC's behalf.(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
August 1, 2005... It could be a volunteer writing an e-mail, an Executive Committee member traveling to another city to represent the registrants, a committee volunteer writing a chapter for one of our standards, or someone from headquarters working late, or...