ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from August 2007

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from August 2007

Right around the corner: a little more than a month from now, the 2007 Connections Convention and Trade Show will fling wide its doors and welcome the collective mass of cleaners, restorers, distributors, manufacturers and others who have made their way to the Las Vegas Hilton.(Editorial Comment)
August 1, 2007... In case you are not familiar with the show, the Connections Convention, Sept. 12-14, is "the most comprehensive and single largest event in our industry. This event brings together the entire industry at one place for education, updates, new...

How a carpet protector warranty can change your life: last month I explained how offering two carpet protectors, one with a warranty and one without, was the secret to selling protector on 80 percent of your jobs--guaranteed. Now I'll explain how the warranty program works.(Putting The Pieces Together)
August 1, 2007... To start with, this is a self-funded warranty. There are some programs currently available where protector manufacturers sell you a warranty and you can certainly incorporate them if you want to. But today, we'll be talking about a warranty...

Take the LEED.(IEQ Q&A)
August 1, 2007... Q: I am currently working on a major water loss in a commercial building. The facilities manager asked me what impact our restoration would have on their LEED certification. What is LEED, and what impact does it have on fire or water damage...

Cloning yourself?(To Your Success)
August 1, 2007... "Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority and don't interfere." --Ronald Reagan I still remember my first employee, Vaughn. He was hardworking, clean-cut, cheerful and reliable. Even better, Vaughn...

A word about pricing.(Rx for Restoration)(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... Frequently, water restoration contractors respond to calls for help on Sundays or holidays. They spend many hours in containment services, and they tie up all their limited assets on a particular job. They usually make numerous trips to the job...

The Butler System's "Warehouse on Wheels": Butler Corporation.(Product & Literature Guide)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Butler Corporation has engineered the Butler System for installation into GMC W-Series diesel powered trucks. The legendary compact design of the Butler System, combined with our adjustable Modular Storage...

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) means no odor green seal certified environmentally friendly: Procyon.(Product & Literature Guide)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One powerful concentrated product. Soap Free[R] PROCYON[R] Tile, Grout, & Stone Cleaner. It's the fastest growing door opener today. PROCYON will not violate your Indoor Air Quality. Our product will save you labor...

ADCO PRO.(Product & Literature Guide)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ADCO PRO Cleaning Supply Company, Denver, Colo., is now carrying the Prochem line of chemicals. For more than 30 years, ADCO PRO has been a leader of sales of chemicals, equipment and accessories for the carpet and...

MasterBlend.(Product & Literature Guide)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MasterBlend's El Diablo truckmount has earned Gold level Seal of Approval by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). The truckmount has become a popular choice cleaning and restoration professionals who depend on the El...

Butler breaks out truckmount detergent.(Products: Tool & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler's Maximum Truckmount Detergent is "a concentration of surfactants, foam controlling agents, corrosion inhibitors, deodorants and color stabilizers for use as a rinse for suspended soils," the company said. ...

Behr Claws digs into rug repair.(Products: Tool & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Behr Innovations introduces the Behr Claws carpet stretching tool, letting you "stretch carpet with no difficult set-up and without wrecking your knees," the company said. Its claws grab hold of the tackless strip and you pull the carpet...

New pump for high-pressure chemical application.(Products: Tool & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CAT PUMPS new 6350 Pulse Pump permits chemical application at system pressures up to 3,000 PSI, the company said. The pump mounts onto the pump head in the center inlet valve port of your high-pressure pump....

Injectidry gets Tuff on traffic.(Products: Tool & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Injectidry's Tuff Plate Cable Protectors are designed for heavy traffic areas, featuring three sections and five channels for 20,000- and 40,000-pound use. Circle 239 on the Reader Inquiry Card. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dri-Eaz streamlines the drying process.(Products: Tool & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Jet CXV from Dri-Eaz offers some of the highest velocity airflow with minimal amp draw (at 1.5, 2.0 and 3 amp speeds). Its built-in angles direct 3,200 CFM to maximize laminar airflow for fast wall and floor...

Videos put the spotlight on selling stain remover.(Products: Tool & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Spotting Solutions is proud to announce the addition of three videos to its Web site. The first one is about the technical aspect of the stain removers with product demonstrations. The second video discusses the company's "Selling Without...

Conventions & trade shows.(Calendar of Industry Events)(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... SEPT. 12-14: Connections Convention and Trade Show Las Vegas. Call (888) 881-1001 OCT. 23-27: ISSA/Interclean 2007 Orlando, Fla. Call (800) 225-4772 OCT. 23-27 RIA Fall Conference Garden Grove, Calif. Call...

Charger battery burnisher from NSS.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The next-generation Charger 2717 DB battery burnisher from NSS Enterprises, Inc. offers the productivity and shine of a 27-inch propane, the company said. The machine is simple to use, with no operator adjustment...

Extractor solution cleans carpets, kills odors.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ES 87, Enviro-Solutions' carpet extractor cleaning solution, has long been recognized for its performance. It has a blend of cleaning agents that break down and emulsify embedded soils, allowing them to be quickly...

Bridgepoint finds a balance.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Bridgepoint introduces Green Balance Carpet Prespray, Carpet Extraction Rinse and Neutralizing Rinse. The CRI recently gave Green Balance Carpet Prespray and Extraction Rinse the Seal of Approval for carpet and rug cleaning systems, "proving...

Kaivac goes after germs and bacteria.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kaivac, Inc. introduces the KaiVac 1720, a machine designed to remove harmful germs and bacteria from a host of surfaces. The 1720 has a pressure rating of 200 PSI, a 17-gallon tank and a HEPA-filtered exhaust to...

CAT Pumps adds to lineup.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... CAT PUMPS has added several new 35 Frame Flushed Pump Models to its line. The new C-flushed pump models 3521C, 3531C and 3541C are available with a 316SS cast head offering strength and corrosion resistance. The special porting in the inlet...

Centrum force unveils the Centri-Maxx.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Centri-Maxx from Centrum Force is the first "Dual Port" rug centrifuge of its kind. The unique design allows the operator to load and unload from either end, maximizing the use of the cylinder and operator time. ...

New brochure from Dresser ROOTS.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new 16-page, four-color brochure, describing the company's entire line of blowers and compressors, is now available from Dresser ROOTS. "Dresser ROOTS Blowers and Compressors" gives an account of company...

Cleaning with the drop of a tablet.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Milliken & Co. has extended its product line to include Drop 'n Go, a concentrated pro-steam tab for carpet steam-cleaning machines. Formulated in a concentrated dry tablet, Drop 'n Go tablets can simply be...

NCL makes a lot of Sense.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Earth Sense Green Impact Speed Stripper from National Chemical Laboratories easily removes both green and traditional floor finishes while minimizing labor costs. Earth Sense ph Neutral All Purpose Cleaner is the...

OnFloor strikes at efficiency, maneuverability.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... The Striker Automatic Scrubber from OnFloor Technologies holds twice as much water as competitive models, the company said, reducing down time for filling and empting tanks. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The unique 150-degree turning radius...

Bi-O-Kleen looks for the natural solution.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Bi-O-Kleen unveils Soy Lube SL-100, a natural alternative to highly toxic, hazardous lubricants that contain dangerous petroleum distillates, harmful vapors, VOCs and acids. Conventional lubricants must be labeled with warnings because of...

Onset introduces new tool for HOBO data loggers.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Onset Computer Corp. introduces the Alarm and Readout Tool, a plug-in software module for use with HOBO-ware Pro software. The Tool automatically notifies users via cell phone text messages or e-mail when...

Go after grime with The Greasinator.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Permanent marker on desktops. Forklift tire marks on cement. Motor oil on painted drywall. All can be removed without harming the surface with The Greasinator Industrial Degreenser, according to EnvirOx. Its...

Dri-Eaz shows who's the boss.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dri-Eaz Products' EB1400 portable environmental control unit offers maximum versatility. The first product from the company's EnviroBoss line was designed to "provide the ultimate control for balancing temperature,...

No tank? No problem.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Namco's new "No Tank" 13 H.P., 3.6 blower carpet cleaner with a 16-tube stainless steel heat exchanger features a 2,000 PSI Hypro water pump, two balloon air tires and more. The truckmount can be installed with...

Prochem expands green line of chemicals.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Prochem continues to expand its popular line of Axiom Clean Green cleaning products by offering a powdered form of the powerful detergent. The powder detergent is just as effective as the liquid counterpart and...

Omegasonics unveils latest model.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Omegasonics introduces the Restoration Pro 3600XW. A hybrid between the Fire Pro 5200 and 3600 models, the XW system combines 36-inch tank length with a working width of 24 inches. The unit is portable for...

Tennant approach quite Noble(s).(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tennant Co. furthers its commitment to the Nobles brand with the introduction of the Nobles Speed Scrub 17- or 20-inch Walk-Behind Automatic Scrubber with optional FaST technology. The Speed Scrub is a rugged,...

Motsenbocker goes after food and beverage stains.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Motsenbocker's Lift Off #1 Food, Beverage & Protein Stain Remover is specifically formulated to remove the most common types of stains, such as pet stains, coffee, tea, Kool-Aid, grass, blood or any other water-or protein-based stains. ...

Catching Lightning in a bottle.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Lightning Seed LLC, a co-op advertising company, has developed a low-cost, high-tech co-op advertising program on the Internet using yellowpages.com for small restoration businesses nationwide. Intended to "help the 'little guy' out with...

Taping is now EZ-ier.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... EZ-ier Tape from EZ-ier Products is the newest double-faced tape for the remediation, construction, painting, and flooring industries, with one side being a high-tack cloth tape and the other being a lower-tack masking tape. By combining...

Hydro-Shelf stacks up nicely.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hydro-Force has designed a new shelf to fit on top of its Hydro-Well fresh water reservoir. The Hydro-Shelf makes extra space in the van for up to six gallon-size chemical jugs. The durable steel construction...

Butler cleaner stops traffic.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler Corp.'s Maximum Traffic Lane Cleaner is "exclusively formulated for fiber penetration and soil suspension with an aggressive concentration of softeners, foam suppressors and surface tension soil breakers," the...

Waterproofing and "sun fade" protector.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Ray & Rain Repellant from Sun & Soil LLC is the first fabric waterproofing spray that stops "sun fading" on awnings, boat covers, tents, etc. Ray & Rain Repellant is invisible when dry, and meets California's new C.A.R.B. standards. Circle 179...

Spray goes after microbiological growth.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... BioClean Spray is Cortec's newest addition to their bio-based line of products. BioClean Spray is a blend of coconut oil phospholipids, "green" corrosion inhibitors, and surfactants designed to disperse and inhibit microbiological growth. ...

You are now entering the Stain Zone.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bridgepoint Systems is proud to announce the release of a new one-part oxidizing stain remover, Stain Zone, "the ideal spotter to use on mustard, furniture stains, wood stains, shoe polish, urine stains, coffee,...

Pro-Link introduces new cleaning system.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Pro-Link introduces the new Transport Cleaning System (TCS) providing touchless cleaning on the move. Use it to clean restrooms, locker rooms, floors, showers, and more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The battery-powered unit with a run time...

Enviro-Solutions goes after spots and stains.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ES 88 from Enviro-Solutions is a concentrated spot remover that can be used as a pre-spray to "successfully dissolve most stains and soils on carpets," the company said. With Envirocide, it also eliminates odors....

The sweet suite.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... Tornado introduces a new "suite" of professional cleaning equipment including the P Series single and dual-speed floor machines and high-speed burnishers; the CK LW 13/1, a super-lightweight vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration; and the...

What's in the box?(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kaivac introduces the KaiVac 1720, a No-Touch Cleaning machine has a 200-psi pump, "perfect for daily cleaning or moderately soiled restrooms," the company said. The 1720 has a HEPA-filtered blower/ exhaust to...

Relax. Take a steam with Namco.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Namco Mfg. has invented a Steamer that it says can remove red stains out of carpets three times faster than using an old fl at iron; you can also remove furniture indentions in a matter of minutes that would have...

Four steps to writing copy that sells: whether you advertise or not, changing the copy you already use in your sales and marketing will get you more sales.(Marketing Strategies That Work)
August 1, 2007... Notice that the title of this article doesn't say "ad copy." It simply says "copy." Your cleaning and restoration firm may do mostly repeat and referral business, and not do much, if any, paid advertising. But that doesn't mean you don't need...

2007 Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study.(Cover story)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 2007 Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study identifies current and emerging trends in the carpet cleaning industry based on the opinions, preferences and purchasing behavior of carpet cleaning...

The indirect referral: it has been well documented in the cleaning service industry that one of the primary sources of increasing business in established companies is through referrals. Referrals can be divided into two general types: direct referrals and indirect referrals.(Building a Profitable Business)
August 1, 2007... Direct referrals are when your company name and contact information are given to the potential client. This can come from satisfied customers, referral networks such as the IICRC, carpet retailers with whom you have established a working...

Wands and extraction tools: a primer.
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The cleaning wand, that ubiquitous instrument wielded with casual precision by legions of professional technicians, is at once a tool of monumental importance yet so common it is often regarded as little more than an...

Put some thought into vehicle selection: until such time as the Star Trek transporter becomes a reality, we are faced with the challenge of getting the service to the customer. Chemicals, equipment, tools, materials and personnel all have to be transported to the service location.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
August 1, 2007... As a business owner, manager, supervisor or person in charge of purchasing company vehicles, consideration of current and future requirements of the vehicle should be part of the evaluation process. There may be some truth to the urban myth...

Please save my knees! About 33 years ago I re-installed (kicked in) my first carpet. It had been disengaged during a flood cleanup. It was also 33 years ago that my knees told me that if I continued doing that kind of work they would freeze up and go on strike.(The Gadget Man)
August 1, 2007... My brother Rob, who worked with me at the time, has since had two full knee replacements. Now that he is bionic with full titanium knees, he can withstand maximum abuse, so I have suggested he consider going into full-time carpet installation....

Interlink supply holds affiliates conference.(Industry News & Information)(Conference news)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Interlink Supply held its annual affiliates conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 12-14. Affiliates learned about new products and programs being offered through Interlink Supply and discussed ways to improve...

BLUEline wins SERVPRO award.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... BLUEline Equipment Co. was recently awarded the 'National Vendor of the Year Award' at SERVPRO Industries' 38th Annual Convention and Trade Show held in Palm Desert, Calif. Once each year, vendors are voted on for overall performance by...

RCs approved for IAQ Tools for Schools, other programs.(Industry News & Information)
August 1, 2007... The American Indoor Air Quality Council has approved a program to reward certificants who assist schools with indoor air quality issues. The IAQ Council will grant up to 12 re-certification credits (RCs) per year to Council-certified...

IICRC announces S100 committee recruitment.(Industry News & Information)
August 1, 2007... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is currently revising the S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning prior to submitting the standard for approval by the American National Standards...

ProTeam celebrates 20th anniversary.(Industry News & Information)
August 1, 2007... Boise, Id.-based ProTeam is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Since launching the QuarterVac in 1987, the company's focus has remained on "developing innovative products and finding better, more effective ways to clean," according to ProTeam....

What's going on? Certification category development: OK, so what's the difference between IICRC-approved certification courses and other courses being offered in the industry? And why should anyone care, for that matter?(IICRC President's Corner)
August 1, 2007... Well, a lot of hard working volunteers care, and every IICRC registrant should also. After all, certification provides not only technical competence, but also a huge marketing advantage for sharp business owners and managers. Boring, huh?...