ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from January 2005

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from January 2005

'Tis the season: now is the winter of the very content, to mangle Richard III.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... It's about this time each year that I have the privilege to recognize and thank those individuals who have helped ICS Cleaning Specialist achieve the level of excellence it currently enjoys. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The insight and...

IICRC storm damage restoration recommendations (Part 2): this is part two of a series submitted by the institute of inspection, cleaning and restoration certification as a public service to those who suffered water-related losses due to storm damage (e.g., hurricane, tornado).(Rx for Restoration)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
January 1, 2005... As there are many variables involved in deciding about appropriate restoration steps, users of this information assume any and all liability for implementing the procedures covered herein. First and foremost, consider safety: ...

Take conditions into consideration: Mrs. Piffleton called me today, wanting to know if I cleaned Oriental rugs. Of course the answer was yes, so we made an appointment to inspect the rug and give her a quote. Pretty simple, eh?(Carpet Cleaning Basics)(Column)
January 1, 2005... When I arrived at her home she showed me a very nice machine-made, Chinese-style rug, 9 feet 6 inches by 11 feet 6 inches, not a collector's item but a nice rug. The face yarns were wool, the foundation yarns jute/cotton. The fringe was clean...

Up-selling on the home front--Part IV.(To Your Success)(basic principles of selling)
January 1, 2005... "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." --Woody Allen "The fastest, simplest, easiest money a carpet cleaner can make? Selling add-on services while he or she is already working in the customer's home. Of course,...

Ways to beat the heat--Part 2: this column is the second of a two-part series addressing the issue of how to protect workers against heat stress. As discussed in last month's issue, heat stress may be one of the most over-looked safety issues facing restorers and remediators.(IEQ Q & A)(HVAC system to control temperature)
January 1, 2005... This is especially true for those that perform mold remediation in hot environments, as the combination of PPE and isolation of the work area from the HVAC system, for containment purposes, can easily create stressful and even dangerous thermal...

Room dyeing procedures.(applying a large volume of dye to the carpet surface)
January 1, 2005... Last month we concluded our series on spot dyeing. But what about situations where you just want to enhance the overall color of the carpet? Sometimes it is necessary to dye or tint an entire room, or a large portion of a room that has faded...

Online lead generation services.(instant access to a rapidly growing group of customers looking for a cleaning company online.)
January 1, 2005... Prospecting and generating new leads is essential to maintaining and growing a successful company. Traditional methods such as direct mailers and fliers may (or may not) have worked in the past, but as consumers become more reliant on the...

The best Christmas gifts I didn't receive: it's the same routine every year. The boys hit the sheets around 11 p.m., and Mr. and Mrs. Santa pull out all the gifts I worked the entire month of October to pay for, and place them under the tree--with care, of course.(Notes from the Trenches)
January 1, 2005... Then WHAM! Christmas morning. Up at 6 a.m. and, still half-asleep, follow the kids to the tree. That 15,000-square-foot medical arts building we cleaned eight weeks ago? Finally got paid for it earlier this month. Bought a state-of-the-art...

Moisture meters.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Moisture meters are an important and effective tool for inspection and restoration professionals, though ironically they do not directly measure moisture content. Instead, they measure electrical resistance/conductivity, radio wave reflectance...

Piranha Boot Camp marks 10th anniversary.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The 10th annual Piranha Marketing Boot Camp was held at the Radisson Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Oct. 21-23, 2004. More than 500 attendees exchanged marketing ideas, listened to success stories and garnered information from a prominent lineup of...

Tuthill launches new Web site.(Industry News & Information)(http://vacuum.tuthill.com)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems announces the launch of its new Web site. Located at http://vacuum.tuthill.com, the site offers extensive product information and online tools, the company said. Tuthill manufactures Kinney and atlantic...

Sensible Life Products completes EPA registration.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Sensible Life Products announces the completed registration of the first EPA-registered botanical disinfectant. Benefect Disinfectant has been approved for residential and commercial use in all 50 states, the company said.

Inaugural IICRC Leather Cleaning Technician Course held in Alabama.(Industry News & Information)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The first IICRC Leather Cleaning Technician Course was held by Textile Care & Consulting Group at Dixie Steamway in Anniston, Ala., Aug. 19-20, 2004. The course drew a mix of 15 experts and beginners from across the United States. The course...

Chemspec product earns CRI Seal of Approval.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Chemspec's ECOgent Carpet Cleaner and Spotter has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval, signifying that it "effectively removes soil without any damage to the carpet," according to Chemspec. "When consumers see the CRI...

INVISTA reclamation program expands its reach.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The INVISTA Carpet Reclamation Center has announced that it will now accept carpet from all commercial dealers. "This fits with our environmental strategy," Bobby Berrier, vice president--INVISTA Commercial & Transportation Flooring, said....

Betco acquires PowerBuff.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Betco Corp. has acquired PowerBuff, Inc. of Stoneville, N.C. PowerBuff is a leading manufacturer of propane-powered floor care equipment. "Betco's mission is to provide the very best floor care chemicals, equipment, pads and other...

Phoenix brings Page on board.(Industry News & Information)(Phoenix Restoration Equipment)(Clayton Page )(appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Phoenix Restoration Equipment has brought Clayton Page on board as the company's products manager. Bringing more than 10 years' experience with a Fortune 500 company, Page was the product manager of a specialty line of chemicals for the...

CRI unveils new testing program.(Industry News & Information)(Carpet and Rug Institute )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Carpet and Rug Institute has launched a new Seal of Approval program designed to "recognize superior carpet cleaning products that pass stringent test administered by an independent, accredited laboratory." Since August 2004, three products...

Butler offering exclusive lease options.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Butler Corp. is offering exclusive leasing offers on new Butler Systems and GMC Savana vans. A wide range of lease programs have been developed to accommodate most business requirements, according to Butler. Programs are available with no...

ASCR to focus on business issues at 60th annual convention.(Industry News & Information)(Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The 60th annual meeting of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, slated to be held in Palm Springs, Calif., March 15-19, will feature analysis of some of the most critical issues impacting the financial health of cleaning...

Therma-Stor acquires Bolden Manufacturing patents, rights.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Therma-Stor LLC, the manufacturer of the Phoenix Restoration Equipment brand, announces the purchase of patents, trademarks, inventory and manufacturing rights for the Xtreme Xtraction System, which includes the Hydro-X Extractor and the...

PowerClean honors Perez for outstanding sales.(Industry News & Information)(Frank Perez )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... PowerClean Industries has honored Frank Perez and Truck Mount Headquarters of Oxnard, Calif. for outstanding sales in 2004. Truck Mount Headquarters was the largest seller of PowerClean products for the second year in a row, and managed to...

Feehan the big winner in PowerClean giveaway.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2005... At the Connections Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 2-4, 2004, Vince Feehan of La Canada Carpet beat out hundreds of other entries and walked away with a 27-inch LCD widescreen television given away by PowerClean Industries. ...

ProTeam joins Unger in 40th anniversary celebration.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... ProTeam joined Unger Enterprises in New Orleans during the ISSA/Interclean 2004 Convention and Trade Show to celebrate the latter's 40th anniversary. The event was held at the Loews New Orleans Hotel, where more than 100 friends and associates...

NASA collaboration impacts carpet cleaning.(Industry News & Information)(National Aeronautics & Space Administration)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... In 2001, NASA and KeyMaster Technologies began work to improve a hand-held X-Ray fluorescent device that detects the presence of elements in various materials. In 2004 KeyMaster partnered with Professional Testing Laboratories of Dalton, Ga. to...

The ICS Product & Literature Guide.(Product & Literature Guide)
January 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...

Dry ice blast cleaning for mold remediation.
January 1, 2005... Dry ice blast cleaning is quickly established itself as a favored method of cleaning in mold remediation. Dry ice blasting is superior to cleaning mold compared to traditional labor-intensive techniques such as sanders, scrapers and wire...

Bridgepoint introduces new pre-spray.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Fabric Prespray from Bridgepoint Systems is a liquid pre-spray for fine fabrics that use high-grade solvents. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] High-alkaline cleaning solutions can cause browning and bleeding, the company said. The solvents in...

U.S. Products aims for better organization.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The King Cobra Series from U.S. Products is built around organization, allowing for higher productivity and more dollars for the contractor, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The King Cobra features a wand caddy for easy...

Hydro-Force gloves available through Interlink Supply.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Hydro-Force's thin-mil Nitrile Disposable Gloves are now available through Interlink Supply. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lightly powdered, 100 percent nitrile "provides superior durability and toughness for light-duty applications where...

Advance Convertamatic features Smart Solutions.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The Advance Convertamatic walk-behind scrubber features Smart Solutions AXP technology. The water/detergent mix is automatically calibrated, and solution flow and scrub pressure are pre-set for the job. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Kent/Euroclean moves along the Edge.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The Kent/Euroclean Edge 12-inch single-motor upright vacuum "has excellent pickup and edge-cleaning capabilities and is lightweight to reduce operator fatigue," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Edge 12 runs at 69 decibels,...

Releasit unveils the X2.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Realeasit introduces the X2 EncapMachine cylindrical brush scrubber. The company says the X2 can clean 1,500 square feet per hour with its dual-brush design. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The X2 EncapMachine features two 15-by-5-inch nylon...

Windsor adds to upright vaccum brand.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Windsor introduces the Flexamatic, the newest addition to the company's brand of upright vacuum cleaners. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Flexamatic features two motors, a 1,200-watt vacuum motor and a 150-watt brush motor. The vacuum's...

Twins arrive for Aztec Products.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The Twin Bonnet 33 from Aztec Products is a cordless, self-propelled bonnet cleaning system. The Twin Bonnet 33 features variable speed controls to fit soil conditions, a 15-gallon solution tank and a 1-year/3-year limited warranty. The...

Century 400 introduces the Avenger 500.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Century 400 introduces the Avenger 500 truckmount. The Avenger 500 features an 18-hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine, a Sutorbilt vacuum pump, a CAT 3CP water pump, a water pump pressure of 1,000 psi, a waste tank with a 60-gallon capacity,...

EnviroSmart offers line of defense against contaminates.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Contain-It from EnviroSmart is a patent-pending, tested, spray-on formula "that provides a temporary, safe, nontoxic seal," and is a first line of defense that will help protect occupants from harmful effects of mold and other contaminates...

Link introduces new line of loading ramps.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Link Manufacturing's Cargo Management Products division announces the redesigned Model LT30 line of mounted aluminum loading ramps. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Still designed to load automatic scrubbers, the length has been increased from...

Prochem climbs between the Peak and Everest.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Prochem introduces the APEX slide-in truckmount for large, dual-wand commercial applications and flood-restoration work. In terms of the Prochem family, the APEX falls between the company's Peak and Everest machines. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

HydraMaster completes exhaust-kit testing.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... HydraMaster Engineering has just completed testing on the company's new Thru-Floor Exhaust Kit. Designed with function, safety and noise in mind, the Thru-Floor Exhaust Kit diverts the machine exhaust down and through the van floor. The Kit is...

Westpak puts the spin on hard surfaces.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Westpak USA Inc., introduces its new hard-surface spinner tool for cleaning tile, grout and marble. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The tool features all-stainless steel polished construction, including the head and handle; vacuum flow from the...

Studebaker takes a new path to drying carpet.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Studebaker Enterprises offers the AirPath Dryer, featuring a vertically mounted fan blade matched to a series of concentric louvers to create a 360-degree air stream directed just above the carpet surface. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

GP announces new pump technology.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... General Pump introduces HT, a new patent-pending technology in pumps. Called HT for both "high temperature" and "high tech," the new technology is available on the company's line of Emperor pumps. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Emperor...

Sealer offers improved protection.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The re-formulated Sealer's Choice 15 Gold from Aqua Mix still offers "maximum stain protection, and is now improved with even more oil and water repellency and greater durability," according to the company. The improved stain-resistance...

Apeiron offers solutions for stone care.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Apeiron Experts in Stone Care offers a variety of stone care discs, polishes, seals and washes for a wide variety of stone care applications. Marble Shake is a liquid, routine maintenance product for maintaining the "wet look" in marble in...

Odormute goes to work on organic odors.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Odormute from Hueter Toledo Inc., is a blend of natural enzymes "that will eliminate any organic odor," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The enzyme action of Odormute chemically changes the source of the odor and eliminates it,...

MasterBlend ramps up safety.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... MasterBlend introduces The Hose Ramp. Made of polyethylene and featuring 3M Safety Tape, The Hose Ramp is designed to protect hoses and help avoid liability from slips and falls. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The OSHA-compliant Hose Ramp...

HOST takes hard look at grout cleaning.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The HOST dry extraction carpet cleaning system can also be used to clean the grout in tile floors, the company said. The system's products contain a blend of water, detergents, wetting agents and natural ingredients formulated to dissolve and...

Greasinator takes on grease and grime.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Greasinator Industrial Degreenser from EnvirOx is made with renewable resource ingredients, is solvent free, has no VOCs, is Green Seal compliant, features a neutral pH and is odor-free. Greasinator "safely removes the toughest...

Betco goes for the express lane.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Betco Express floor finish from Betco Corp. utilizes highly durable internally locked cross-linked polymers, specially blended to minimize drying and cure times. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Formulated with Max-Cure Technology, each coat...

Betco introduces all-in-one cleaner.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Betco Corp. introduces SANIBET RTU, a versatile cleaner the company says cleans, sanitizes and deodorizes. SANIBET RTU can be used on a variety of surfaces, but "is ideal for the food service industry." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

PowerClean offering stainless steel frames.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... PowerClean Industries is now offering its truck-mounted cleaning machines with optional stainless steel frames. The upgrade also includes stainless steel quick-disconnects instead of brass. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The option was first...

Dry Air braces for Gale Force.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Dry Air Technology introduces the Gale Force air mover. Providing multiple locking positions in a 360-degree rotation, the Gale Force features easy collapsing for compact storage, a drop-in-place bracket systems and the company's new Solid-Lock...

Butler introduces 25th anniversary brochure.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The Butler Corp.'s 25th anniversary brochure is a full-color, 90-page catalog showcasing The Butler System. The brochure includes an extensive list of standard features and exclusive options that the company says "distinguishes The Butler...

Spartan goes Contempo-rary.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Spartan Chemical Co. introduces Contempo H2O2 Spotting Solution, a ready-to-use hydrogen peroxide-based spotting solution and pre-spray treatment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The clear, colorless cleaner is designed to remove most organic...

Dri-Eaz welcomes the next Evolution.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Dri-Eaz introduces the Evolution, what the company describes as "the first dehumidifier to pack advanced, low-grain refrigerant technology into a small package." The Evolution operates at 5 amps and features a 3M HAF filter; auto-pump...

PerfectClean AM is now SurfaceWorx AM.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Euroclean's microfiber cleaning system PerfectClean AM is henceforth to be known as SurfaceWorx AM. The system consists of flat mops, specialized cleaning cloths, a unique glove product, and hardware working together to get surfaces cleaner....

Sweeper provides service bumper to bumper.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Tornado Industries introduces the KM85/50 battery-operated (with a gaspowered option) sweeper designed for medium-to-large areas such as warehouses and parking garages. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 85/50 features a 34-inch cleaning path....

Biltwel vacuum trucks offer duct-cleaning power.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Each Biltwel truck features a vacuum fan that produces 12,500 cfm at 15.5 inches of static pressure (lift) and an air compressor capable of 200-250 psi at 18-50 cfm with an 80-gallon compressed-air storage tank. The truck design allows for...

Steri-Fab a Noble offering.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Noble Pine introduces Steri-Fab, what it says is one of the few products that is not only labeled for bed bugs, but "is also labeled for mattresses, upholstered furniture and sofas." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steri-Fab does not contain...

Grow big and strong? Not with Anti-Growth.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Anti-Growth Concentrate from GSI/Camden Products Inc., is a mildew and mold preventive product. The result of five years of research and development, the technology introduces the "encapsulation of a proven fungicide within a liquid latex...

New TEC stone-care system products enter market.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... The manufacturer of TEC brands has introduces several new TEC Tile & Stone Care System products for the protection, maintenance and restoration of tile and natural stone. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guard All Invisible Penetrating Sealer is...

Prochem introduces water-restoration product line.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Prochem introduces the WR line, designed to address the need of the water-restoration restorer through every step of the project. The WR line includes new technology in the form of WR Dry, a speed-drying solution the company says it developed...

NuClean takes grease out of the equation.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... NuClean Products introduces Grease Erase, a professional-strength degreaser/pre-spray designed to emulsify and lift soils for easy removal. Grease Erase can be used on stains on both carpet and upholstery caused by pets, oil, chocolate, grease,...

Bridgepoint introduces new spotter.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Bridgepoint Systems introduces T.C.U., a new spotter specially formulated for the unique problems presented by the presence of alkalines, salts and tannin in a carpet or upholstery stain. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] T.C.U. is a...

ProTeam adds Domel motors, 3-year warranty.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... ProTeam's Super CoachVac backpack vacuums and ProForce 1500 Series upright vacuums now come equipped with motors built by Domel, Inc. and are covered by a new standard 3-year warranty. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Our engineers have worked...

Floor finish dries at MachSpeed.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Betco's MachSpeed floor finish utilizes highly durable, internally cross-linked polymers specially blended to minimize drying and cure times, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Formulated with Max-Cure Technology, each coat of...

Kaivac looks for the sounds of silence.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Kaivac Inc.'s KaiZen QT will be introduced at the ISSA/Interclean 2004 New Orleans Trade Show, Nov. 16-19, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The KaiZen QT is designed specifically for use in hospitals,...

Calendar of industry events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... Conventions & Trade Shows JAN. 26-28, 2005; SURFACES 2005. Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6343. MARCH 16-19: ASCR "SOLUTIONS" CONFERENCE. Palm Springs, Calif. Cal (800) 272-7012. APRIL 1-5: BSCAI CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW ...

2005 Truckmount Equipment & Accessories Guide.
January 1, 2005... Welcome to the 2005 Truckmount Equipment & Accessories Guide, the cleaning and restoration industry's premier truckmount specifications resource. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This is where you will find the movers and shakers who make up the...

New Year's is the time for floor care program resolutions.(Commercial Floor Care)
January 1, 2005... New Year's Eve is the traditional time to make resolutions. From losing weight and exercising more to vowing to stop smoking and swearing off other bad habits, January is the ceremonial month to start anew. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Hard-floor problems go below the surface.(Commercial Floor Care)
January 1, 2005... In a world of litigation and legal disputes, there is always the finger-pointing game of assigning fault to someone when something goes wrong. This happens in all walks of life: performing surgery, shopping at the grocery store or driving a...

An innovation in commercial carpet cleaning.(Commercial Floor Care)
January 1, 2005... In August 2004 a new innovation in commercial carpet cleaning was introduced, an innovation that's too good to go unnoticed by the industry. Developed by Tennant Co., ReadySpace, as the technology is known, employs a new concept called soil...

Who are the real heroes? On a recent trip to England to attend IICRC-shareholder NCCA's annual convention and spend a few days at IICRC's United Kingdom headquarters, I was treated like a real-life hero.(IICRC President's Corner)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)(National Carpet Cleaners Association)
January 1, 2005... It felt much like last year, when Past President Lee Zimmerman and myself traveled to Japan in support of Japanese cleaning and restoration firms and registrants. Lee and I had our pictures taken with at least 40 different business people that...