ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from December 2006

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from December 2006

Put a price on your future: when it comes to planning for retirement, many people simply glance at their employer's 401(k) plan, check off a box here, fill in a percentage there, send it off to HR and viola, they're done. For the small-business owner, however, the game is not so simple.(Editorial Comment)
December 1, 2006... Steve Toburen and others often discuss the viability of creating a business with the intention of selling it down the road, building a company in which the value does not lay solely with the owner-operator. And for many entrepreneurs things...

Letter to editor.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Re: "As the Wheel Turns: Machines Used for Encapsulation" (Oct. 2006) Dear ICS, Your recent article "As the Wheel Turns: Machines Used for Encapsulation" caught my eye as we been low moisture cleaning long before the buzzword...

Keeping your clientele: in the beginning, most businesses concentrate on making the phone ring to ensure a steady supply of jobs to provide the dollars to keep the bills paid.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
December 1, 2006... Before too much time has elapsed, you will hopefully be at the point where your marketing plan is working, and the challenge will be to convert those callers into scheduled jobs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This is the point at which you...

Technology in cleaning and restoration.
December 1, 2006... Professional cleaning and restoration technicians are always searching for equipment and technology to help them do their jobs better and more efficiently. For the fourth consecutive year, ICS Cleaning Specialist looks at some of the innovative...

Beating the wintertime blues--part II.(To Your Success)
December 1, 2006... "Every mile is two in winter." --George Herbert (1593-1633) Winter is the cruelest season for most residential carpet cleaners. Especially in the snow-belt, the phone just doesn't ring much from after Christmas until the snow melts and...

The return of the superdome.(cleaning the Louisiana Superdome)(Personal account)
December 1, 2006... The Louisiana Superdome is recognized worldwide. It would be very hard to imagine New Orleans without the Superdome defining its skyline. But that almost became a reality after Hurricane Katrina caused what was believed to be irreparable...

To vacuum or not to vacuum--part I.
December 1, 2006... There has always been debate among carpet cleaners about pre-vacuuming before carpet cleaning. Let's get this out of the way: there is overwhelming evidence that pre-vacuuming dramatically improves results and makes cleaning easier for the...

AFDs and respirators.(IEQ Q&A)(dialogue with Jim Holland)(Interview)
December 1, 2006... Q: The S500 says that "Restorers can install one or more air filtration devices... AFDs provide additional airflow while simultaneously removing soils or contaminants from the air..." So, if we decide to install an AFD to remove contaminants,...

Esteam adds extractor to EMachine line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Esteam announces the addition of the E1000 portable extractor to its EMachine line. The E1000 features dual 2-stage Ametek vacuum motors, 10-gallon solution and recovery tanks, and is available in 100-, 150-, 200- and 500-psi models with...

Bridgepoint unveils new version of TES.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Bridgepoint Systems unveils a new version of its Thermal Energy System, or TES. The 250,000 BTU TES unit can handle five to six TEX boxes. The unit has a slightly larger frame, and comes with an extra TEX box, two more sections of 5/8-inch...

Nilodor builds a new structure.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Nilodor introduces Structured by Nature green carpet cleaning products. Designed to improve indoor air quality, the line is biodegradable, non-toxic and non-caustic, leaving no harmful residue, prevents soil wicking and more. The...

Butler asks, "coffee or tea?".(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The Butler Corp. introduces Maximum Coffee and Tea Stain Remover, a "maximum performance reducing agent to eliminate, reduce or modify new or old stubborn coffee, tea and tannin stains." Circle 242 on the Reader Inquiry Card. [ILLUSTRATION...

Injectidry simplifies Vac-It setup.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Injectidry's new Vac-It panel drying system simplifies the setup process and significantly reduces labor costs, the company said. According to Injectidry, all sorts of wet materials, including hardwoods, headers and plaster walls, can be...

ProTeam keeps a lid on noise.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... ProTeam has launched the QuietPro CN Canister Vacuum, designed to provide performance, versatility and HEPA filtration in a quiet package. The QuietPro CN comes standard with a 10-quart Four Level Filtration system, an integrated tool dock...

Tennant introduces the R14 single rider.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The R14 Dual Technology Carpet Cleaner from Tennant Co. is a riding version of the company's 1610. The R14 features ReadySpace technology, allowing it to deliver carpets that are clean, dry and ready for traffic in less than 30 minutes, the...

Tornado looks to boost productivity.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Tornado Industries' PRO and SUPERPRO backpack vacuums allow techs to use one machine to vacuum virtually all floor surfaces and perform both high and low dusting, removing the need to switch machines. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Property Perfections takes on black mold.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Safe Shield Black Mold Removal from Property Perfections Cleaning Supply is all-organic and contains no bleach, acid, no harsh fumes, and no chemicals. The all-natural mold-cleaning product includes patented clear-coat mold blocker solution....

Calendar of industry events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2006... Conventions & Trade Shows FEB. 7-9: SURFACES Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6323 MARCH 5-8: NADCA Nashville. Call (202) 737-2926 MARCH 13-16: ASCR "Solutions" Orlando, Fla. Call (443) 878-1000 MARCH...

Re-engineered Blend Buddy released.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The Blend Buddy II from EnvirOx has been re-engineered. The new design requires no assembly, is completely self-contained, and installs with just four screws. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed to dispense EnvirOx environmentally...

Butler goes after the rust.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Butler's Maximum Rust Remover is "a maximum performance gel formula to penetrate and assist in the removal of rust spots and stains that result from metal furnishings, fixtures and other metal objects," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION...

Foster takes on bacteria and mold.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Foster 40-20 Fungicidal Protective Coating is formulated to prevent the growth and spread of odor-causing bacteria and mold on its surface. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The first and only coating EPA-registered for application in HVAC duct...

ProTeam introduces the GoCartVac.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The GoCartVac from ProTeam "provides versatile performance in a powerful, quiet, portable platform," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The GoCartVac features Four Level Filtration, unlimited run time on AC electric, one hour of...

Viking offers a new drying solution.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Viking introduces the VP3000 Axial Fan. Technicians can connect up to four of the fans on one 15-amp circuit for maximum air movement. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The VP3000 features Focus Technology airflow to help with problematic drying...

Injectidry makes a quantum leap forward.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Injectidry's new concentric rings Adaptidry and Direct-It represent "a quantum leap forward in flexibility and utility," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Techs can dry either by vacuum pressure or positive pressure using the...

HydraMaster extends its reach.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The RX20 rotary extractor from HydraMaster, an industry stalwart for 25 years, is now available in a version designed for taller operators. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new tool has a handle that has been extended by 6 inches, allowing...

Esteam takes on floods.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Esteam has added the E1000 Flood Master to its E-Machine line of portable extractors. The multi-purpose machine will dispose of up to 30 gallons of water per minute with its dual two-stage Ametek vacuum motors and submersible pump. ...

The Gekko pokes its heads up.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The Gekko from Hydro-Force Mfg. now has five heads to choose from for cleaning tile and grout. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The lineup includes a 14-inch brush head for light scrubbing; a 14-inch squeegee for water cleanup; the original...

Phoenix system creates drying chamber.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The Phoenix Quick Chamber System from Therma-Stor, designed with the restoration professional in mind, creates "an effective drying chamber that will completely contain a water loss affected area within minutes, and can be set up by one...

Kaivac goes after urine.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Kaivac recently introduced its Urine Detection Kit at the 2006 ISSA/Interclean USA tradeshow in Chicago. The kit determines if a surface is free of urine after cleaning has been performed. The kit includes 25 test strips, a test chart and...

Sunbelt Rentals publishes new catalog.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Sunbelt Rentals full-line catalog features listings and descriptions of an enormous variety of tools and equipment, from air compressors and dehumidifiers to pressure washers and vacuums. The 266-page catalog also contains information on...

Ground Heaters goes to the air.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The AM3000 air mover from Ground Heaters provides an airflow rating up to 3,000 cfm, extracts only 2 amps of power, and moves air effectively up to 25 feet away, the company said. The AM3000 stands 24 inches high and weighs 20 pounds. A...

Enviro-Solutions lifts the Haze.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Green-certified Haze Away Neutral Floor Cleaner from Enviro-Solutions is formulated to help make winter floor care easier. Ice melts at entryways can leave a hazy white film on hard-surface floors. Haze Away can be used to "safely remove...

Powerplus announces release of latest truckmount.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Powerplus Cleaning Solutions announces the release of the Prodigy HSR, the company's latest carpet, tile and grout, marble, granite and hard-surface cleaning truckmount. The Prodigy HSR features a 12,000-psi system with 3,000 psi at the...

Particle counting sees the light.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The Handheld 3016 IAQ particle counter from Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions features 0.3-micron sensitivity, and displays six channels of particle data either in cumulative or differential mode, as well as temperature and relative humidity data....

FLIR offers incentive for BCAM imager.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... FLIR Systems is offering a purchase incentive for its BCAM thermal imager. Purchasers will receive a cash savings if they order a BCAM prior to Dec. 15. The BCAM infrared camera offers a non-invasive means of monitoring and diagnosing...

Phoenix offers up three models to close out year.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Phoenix Restoration Equipment is offering year-end specials on three products. The Phoenix HT 200 LGR dehumidifier maintains water-removal capacity through 120F, removing 140 pints per day@AHAM. The Phoenix Axial Air Mover features velocities...

Extech launches new Hygro-Thermometer.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Extech Instruments' new Model RH490 Precision Hygro-Thermometer with Direct Digital Display of Grains per Pound is "ideal for structural drying and water damage restoration, HVAC/R installation and repair, mold inspection and remediation, and...

P&G adds to Pro Line Program.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... P&G Pro Line Floor Finish Stripper is the newest product in P&G Pro Line's Floor Finish Program, "stripping away the toughest floor finishes," the company said. Butyl-free and with a low chemical odor, the stripper's "no-rinse" features...

Chicopee introduces towel line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... Chicopee Inc., introduces the Chix Pro-Series line of disposable towels, engineered to effectively work with common cleaning sanitizers and disinfectants. The two lines, Pro-Chlor and Pro-Quat, feature patented chemistry that maintains the...

KaiVac introduces the Little Black Box.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The KaiVac 1720 and 1750 No-Touch Cleaning systems from Kaivac, smaller versions of the full-size KaiVac, feature 17-gallon solution/recovery tanks, enhanced maneuverability, and the Little Black Box. The removable black box houses the...

The Ultimate cleaning machine from U.S. Products.(Products Tools & Equipment)
December 1, 2006... The Ultimate all-in-one cleaning machine from U.S. Products can be used to professionally dry-clean natural fabrics and wet-clean synthetics. The Ultimate features a Solvent Sensing Probe that recognizes solvent- or water-based cleaners,...

Maintaining VCT: resilient flooring is a huge market. It constituted roughly 40 percent of new hard-surface flooring sales in 2005.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
December 1, 2006... Vinyl composition tile, more commonly referred to as VCT, is the largest classification within the resilient flooring category. It can be found in every type of facility and many different environments. Hard-floor maintenance for VCT flooring...

Measuring success: running our cleaning company years ago, we decided to start a second value-oriented company that would charge by the room for carpet cleaning. Our idea was based on the proliferation of per-room-priced competition, and we hoped we could do it better and smarter so we could actually make a profit at it.(The Gadget Man)
December 1, 2006... One thing we found necessary in figuring our profitability and technician workload was, rather than just measuring the number of rooms and halls, we actually had our technicians measure the square footage of each room so we could calculate...

Double the performance of dehumidifiers.
December 1, 2006... The focus lately in water restoration has been on increasing evaporation in materials to speed drying. Increasing evaporation is obviously a key to drying structures faster. But now that we can increase the speed of evaporation, remember that...

Vehicle of the Month.
December 1, 2006... December 2006 Name: Jim Frost Company Name: Ameri-Clean Address: 30110 Skippers Way Dr. City: Canyon Lake State: CA ZIP: 92587 Phone: (951) 24-1592 E-mail: americlean@verizon.net Vehicle...

ISSA posts strongest start ever; will move away from Saturdays.(IndustryNews & Information)(Conference news)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... ISSA/Interclean USA 2006, Oct. 4-7, started off strong at Chicago's McCormick Place with the keynote speaker, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, keeping the attention of more than 4,200 people right to the very end of his presentation...

ASCR celebrates 60 years.(IndustryNews & Information)(Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration is celebrating 60 years of service to the restoration and cleaning industries. "ASCR is not the association that it was 60 years ago. That is easy to see as hindsight is blessed...

Tennant re-launches Nobles brand.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Tennant Co. has re-launched its Nobles brand of cleaning equipment. Designed to build on the brand's strengths and further differentiate it in the global commercial cleaning market, the re-launch "re-establishes what Nobles always has and...

Cleaner wins extractor at Connections.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Douglas Woolfork of Yuba City, Calif., won a brand new U.S. Products King Cobra 500 during a drawing at the recent Connections Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Woolfork's name was randomly selected from a...

IICRC registrations surge in 2006.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification saw record growth in both certified technicians and certified firms through October 2006. There are roughly 42,000 certified technicians--roughly 5,000 more than at the...

IAQA holds Annual Meeting.(IndustryNews & Information)(Indoor Air Quality Association)(Conference news)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The IAQA Annual Meeting & Exposition was held Oct. 25-28 in Nashville, with the theme The Power of Associations reflecting the consolidated membership with sister organizations AmIAQ and IESO. The conference and trade show was attended by some...

Ryan named manager of communication at Betco.(IndustryNews & Information)(Courtney Ryan)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... As a result of "providing Betco customers with quality communication pieces that convey Betco's philosophies in a favorable manner," Courtney Ryan was named as the company's manager of communication. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ryan will...

Tornado releases "green commitment" statement.(IndustryNews & Information)(Tornado Industries)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Tornado Industries released its "Commitment to Environmental Sustainability"--establishing the company's goals when it comes to cleaning, health and protecting the environment--at the ISSA/Interclean Convention and Trade Show in Chicago, Oct....

Photo Report Software upgrade announced.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Cincinnati-based PDmB, Inc., announces the Version 2.0 release of its DUAL-VIEW Photo Report Software. The release "introduces significant enhancements in professional photo and thermography reporting software used by the rapidly growing...

Allen joins Butler Corp.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Ed Allen has joined The Butler Corp. as a customer service and sales representative for the Midwestern United States. Allen began his career with Butler in 1997, and has been involved in all aspects of production and customer service. ...

Kaivac consolidates products under one name.(IndustryNews & Information)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Beginning with the introduction of its two newest models, the KaiVac 1750 and the KaiVac 1720, Kaivac will consolidate all its No-Touch Cleaning systems under the KaiVac brand name. "This will enable us to leverage our branding efforts...

Betco unveils new identity.(IndustryNews & Information)(mission statement)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Cleaning Edge is the new identity of Betco, encompassing the idea "that Betco's people, products and performance has allowed them to leverage its capabilities to meet customer needs." The Cleaning Edge statement will be incorporated on all...

LMCCA hits member milestone.(IndustryNews and Information)(Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association recently marked a milestone, reaching the 250-member mark. Almost 100 members attended the recent Connections Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, a "wonderful" turnout according to the LMCCA. ...

P&G offers distributors total solutions.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Procter & Gamble Professional is offering its distributors a variety of tools and support to help them sell P&G products. "We offer our customers complete cleaning solutions--cleaning programs built around powerful, effective cleaners and...

HSG adds key execs.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Harmon Solutions Group announces the addition of two key executives to the company. Scott Severe has been hired as a vice president in the national sales organization. Severe has more than 20 years' experience in the industry, most notably...

IICRC approves MilliCare as official training school.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... MilliCare was recently accepted as an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification-approved school, and will now offer IICRC-approved classes to its network members. "Our customers are asking for this certification,...

John's Custom Machine offers rebuilds.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... For truckmount owners with "tired" or "worn out" machines, John's Custom Machine is offering an option besides purchasing a new machine. The company can install new engines; pumps; blowers; silencers; mix tanks; heat exchangers or...

Sostram names Zech as COO.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Tim Zech has been named chief operating officer of the Sostram Corporation. The announcement comes on the heels of the company's introduction of MOLD-RAM fungicide. Zech has been affiliated with Sostram parent company Sipcam Agro USA since...

Greenguard certifying cleaners and systems for chemical emissions.(IndustryNews & Information)(Greenguard Environmental Institute)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is now certifying cleaners and cleaning systems for low chemical emissions, the Institute said. Working with JohnsonDiversey, GEI's program for testing and certifying cleaning products is based on a new...

Tennant makes donation to Lurie Garden.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Tennant Co. recently provided Chicago's Lurie Garden, a 2.5-acre ecological and natural garden located in Millennium Park, with its most significant corporate donation since the garden opened in 2004. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The total...

HydraMaster demo truck garners design award.(IndustryNews & Information)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... HydraMaster graphic designer Tracey Johnson was recently presented with a Guru Award at the 2006 Photoshop World Conference in Las Vegas. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Johnson was presented the President's Choice for Technical Excellence Guru...

SoilBlaster Pro earns CRI Seal of Approval.(IndustryNews & Information)
December 1, 2006... Shield Industries has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval for ForceField SoilBlaster Pro, signifying that "it effectively removes even the most difficult stains without any damage to the carpet," the company said. ...

What's right for IICRC registrants? By now, many of you may have heard that at its September meeting, the IICRC board of directors bestowed upon me the privilege of leading this fantastic industry organization for the next year.(IICRC President's Corner)
December 1, 2006... What an honor it is to follow in path of the five past presidents under whom I have had the privilege to serve: Mike Lynch, Dan Bernazzani, Dane Gregory, Lee Zimmerman, and Carey Vermeulen. As a 13-year volunteer with this internationally...