ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from March 2003

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from March 2003

Packed to the gills. (Editorial Comment).
March 1, 2003... ICS works hard to provide its readers with something more than the usual trade publication fare. Whether it's found in market studies, procedural case studies or business and marketing evaluations, ICS strives to include value in each and every...

The excitement of Connections 2003: if you haven't already heard, the industry is abuzz with the news of Connections 2003. (ICS Publisher's Letter).
March 1, 2003... Eight regional trade associations from across the country, along with dozens of the most respected educators in the business, are combining their skills and resources to bring this long-awaited event to fruition. Connections 2003 is the...

Mold and the carpet cleaning professional. (Carpet Cleaning Basics).
March 1, 2003... It is no secret that the hottest word in restoration today is mold. But mold has been around for thousands of years; why is it just now becoming such a problem? I believe the fuse that caused mold to "blow up" was lit by a certain case in...

Working with insurance adjusters.
March 1, 2003... I look at insurance adjusters the way I imagine the legendary Vince Lombardi looked at the Green Bay Packers. I know some people in the restoration industry are jaded when it comes to insurance adjusters, perhaps because of an unresolved...

Packaging your business for sale. (Building a Profitable Business).
March 1, 2003... The ultimate goal of most small-service business owners is to build up their business, sell it and retire on the proceeds. In many cases this is the only "retirement plan" small-business owners have in place. This may sound like a very...

Asking questions and finding solutions. (ASCR[SM] International).
March 1, 2003... Solutions, The 58th Annual Convention and Exhibition of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration in Savannah, Ga., March 11-15, is an exhibition and educational conference geared toward professionals involved in the cleaning...

Mold and restoration: answers from the expert. (Rx for Restoration).
March 1, 2003... I am always fielding questions from hopeful restorers looking for quick and easy ways to deal with mold. It seems that everyone is looking for the magic bullet to solve all their problems with little or no effort and, certainly, at little or no...

Cleanco presents award to Nu-Tech. (News & Information).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Cleanco Truckmounts recently presented its "Performance Award" to Troy, Mich.-based Nu-Tech Cleaning Systems. Nu-Tech achieved the largest increase in annual sales, more than 71 percent, in the United States among participating companies in...

NADCA launches training & certification program. (News & Information).
March 1, 2003... The National Air Duct Cleaners Association trained and certified its first class of HVAC inspectors at its annual meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., March 4-8. The HVAC Inspectors Program held during Indoor Environments 2003 is designed to...

CARE announces availability of grants. (News & Information).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Carpet America Recovery Effort, an industry-led effort to reduce the flow of waste carpet to landfills in the United States, announces its first grant cycle. CARE will accept grant proposals for programs that provide for the recycling...

Janitation Depot aims to be information hub. (News & Information).
March 1, 2003... Janitation Depot, a division of Office Depot, has started an extensive project to add "relevant, abundant and timely content" to its web site at www.janitationdepot.com. Updates will begin in the next 30 to 60 days. Visitors will see an...

John Downey Co. launches education effort. (News & Information).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The John Downey Co. recently launched a training-based marketing effort to educate facilities personnel on "a more effective approach to facilities carpet care." The company's system offers a self-described "total care approach," including...

IICRC responds to America's frigid temperatures. (News & Information).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification responded to the recent extreme cold weather that has struck many areas of the country by issuing up-to-the-minute, credible guidelines on restoration of water damage caused by...

ASCR publishes mold remediation practices document. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration has published "Recommended Professional Practices for Mold Remediation," a comprehensive compendium of information on this rapidly evolving issue. The goal of the project, approved...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2003... The ICS 2003 Truckmount Equipment & Accessories Guide that appeared in the January issue contained the following errors: * The Butler Corp's Internet address is www.butlersystem.com. not www.butlersystems.com * The Cross-American...

Bridgepoint introduces Power Point formula. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Power Point from Bridgepoint is a liquid extraction formula that "combines the cleaning power of the best powdered extraction formulas with the instant solubility of a liquid," the company said. Power Point is described as working well in...

Steam Way introduces wood floor care line. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Steam Way International introduces a new line of wood floor care products specifically designed and formulated for the professional carpet-cleaning contractor. Wood Floor Prep Cleaner is described as a complete cleaning and finish-prep...

New pump is a Giant. (Products Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Giant Industries introduces the GP8000 Series 150HP pump, currently handling up to 105 GPM and up to 2,500 psi. The pump is available with or without external gear redirect drive. The design includes a spherical castiron crankcase, bronze...

Sun-Belt USA releases 2003 Buyers Guide. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Sun-Belt USA has released its 2003 Direct Buyers Guide, a comprehensive directory for professional carpet and upholstery cleaning; restorative drying; odor control; mold remediation; fire and smoke restoration; carpet dyeing and repairing; and...

Minuteman puts new scrubber in service. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Minuteman International introduces the 240X Series automatic floor scrubber. The 240X features a user-friendly control panel, individual forward and reverse bail levers, 20-gallon solution and recovery ranks with the patented Maxi-Wall bladder,...

MMC 210 measures moisture in wood. (Products Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... The MMC 210 "Digital Proline" moisture meter from Wagner measures the moisture content of rough- to finish-grade wood. Highly flexible, the meter measures moisture content from 5 percent to 30 percent, and is best suited for wood thickness of...

White Magic introduces new Slide-in System. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... White Magic introduces its new Signature Series Slide-in Systems. White Magic's engineers have developed what the company describes as "the industry's first bypass-less beat exchange system." The line of patent-pending Heat Smart technology...

Cat Pumps introduces new plunger pump. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Cat Pumps introduces a new direct-drive plunger pump for the portable cleaning industry. The 3SP Series Pumps feature high-quality materials and a unique design the company says present superior reliability and long life. The 3SP pumps...

MasterBlend presents brochure for allergy prevention. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... MasterBlend has developed a brochure tided "10 Steps to Allergy-Proof Your Home" that is available to the general public as well as MasterBlend customers working with the company's ResponsibleCare System of Cleaning line. The brochure...

Clarke's Bext series features innovative design. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Clarke's Bext series of on-board hot-water extractors features a new and innovative design the company says provides the easiest-to-use and most productive heated box extraction cleaning equipment on the market. Bext portable extractors...

Intrepid offers new auto priming system. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Northland Products Inc. introduces what it calls "the first ever automatic high pressure portable priming system." The primer is installed as a standard feature on all Intrepid Portable Carper Extractor high-pressure units. The system...

Protimeter adds sensor to moisture meter. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... A low relative-humidity sensor, designed for measurements in drier environments, is now available with the GE Protimeter North America MMS Plus version. The Low Range RH Sensor ensures accurate readings through the zero to 40 percent relative...

CTI releases new solvent gel. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Chemical Technologies International Inc. has released a new high-performance solvent gel designed to handle the tough spots of nail polish, paint, graphite, gum, grease adhesive and more. Pro Solve Gel comes in a dispenser tube with a...

ICEGRIPS secure a firm foothold. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... ICEGRIPS high-traction footwear from Jordan David is designed to reduce slips and falls outdoors in harsh winter environments. ICEGRIPS fit over work shoes and boots, and feature 36 hex-head screws that bite into ice and snow. The footwear...

Bridgepoint improves Hard Power formula. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... The research and development division of Bridgepoint Systems has improved the formula of Hard Power, the company's premier general purpose cleaning chemical, according to a statement. Hard Power is used in restoration work for cleaning...

HydraMaster 'spits fire' with new truckmount. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... According to Hydra-Master, the company's new SpitFire 3.2 is a popular choice for cleaners upgrading from a portable unit. The SpitFire comes with a 16HP Briggs & Stratton engine, a Tuthill Pneumatics Dominator 3003 Blower and 2500 PSI Rated...

Bio-Fighter commercial series boasts improvements. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... The Bio-Fighter XL Commercial Series of germicidal ultraviolet lights from Dust Free, Inc. uses a new e-ballast technology to boost output over 40 percent. The series is designed for dosing large commercial coils to combat airborne and surface...

Seminars demonstrate ultrasonic restoration techniques. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... A new seminar program, developed by the Institute for Ultrasonic Cleaning and Restoration and sponsored by Omegasonics, is designed to teach fire and smoke restoration personnel advanced ultrasonic techniques in the pack-out of small content....

Steam Way introduces MSD Extra. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... MSD Extra from Steam Way is an EPA-registered product the company says can be used for water damage restoration, cleaning and sanitizing carper against odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew control, sewer backup and river flooding. MSD...

EnvirOx introduces Crystal Carpet. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... H2Orange2 Crystal Carpet from EnvirOx is formulated to clean, brighten, deodorize and reduce re-soiling with hydrogen peroxide cleaning power and soil-retardant crystallizing polymers. The crystallizing polymers in the formulation trap...

Tuffy Systems unveils automatic floor finish applicator. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Tuffy Systems' Humm'V II General, a newly patented, DC-powered machine is described by the company as the world's first fully automatic floor finish applicator. The mop head attachment is a lamb's wool pad surrounded by yarn strands on...

PCI Products unveils Mirage SVS gum remover. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... PCI Products Co. has unveiled the Mirage SVS gum remover. Using vapor-steam technology and a water-based cleaning solution, the unit removes gum from hard surfaces and carpet. The Mirage SVS can also be used to clean up food and beverage...

Chemspec cleaning agent with lower environmental impact. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Chemspec introduces ECOgent Carpet Cleaner, a patented cleaning technology the company says contains 100 percent natural ingredients plus oxygenated brightener. ECOgent is renewable, contains low toxicity, low volatility and is readily...

Hydro-Force makes statement with Olympus. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Hydro-Force introduces the latest model in its Olympus line, the M3-500. The company describes the M3-500 as "providing the power of a truckmount with a 500-psi pump and dual 3-stage vac motors." The M3-500 features auto-fill, chemical...

Galaxy Pro features "No Drip" motor cavity. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... The Galaxy Pro portable extractor from Steam Brite sports all the standard features of the company's Galaxy 12-gallon system. The Galaxy Pro's "No Drip" motor cavity is designed to keep out water spilled on the outside of the machine. The...

3M Commercial Care Division introduces tile and grout protector. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... 3M's Commercial Care Division introduces Scotchgard Tile & Grout Protector, a ready-to-use, water-based protector for unglazed ceramic tile, quarry tile and masonry grout. The protector was designed to create an invisible shield to help...

Argo machine fills a multitude of roles. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Argo introduces the Argo/HCS, a multi-purpose floor machine the company says no only scrubs, polishes and strips, but cleans all types of carpet, hardwood, vinyl, tile and grout. The Argo/HCS's brush spins at 80 rpm to reduce the chance of...

Mytee introduces Bac-Vac back vacuum. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Mytee Products Inc. unveils the Bac-Vac, a 6-quart back vacuum. Bac-Vac features 124 feet of water lift and a 15-foot, 1 1/2-inch vacuum hose designed for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Bac-Vac is based on a lightweight, ergonomic design and...

Dri-Eaz, 3M advance dehumidifier filtration. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Dri-Eaz Products and 3M have produced what company officials describe as "a significant advancement in dehumidifier filtration." 3M Filtrete High Air Flow (HAP) filters are being placed in Dri-Eaz DrizAir dehumidifiers to capture more dirt,...

John Downey Co. introduces Pre-spray and De-foamer. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... The John Downey Co. introduces High-Flow Prespray and Defoamer. High-Flow Prespray is a 1:48 concentrate liquid product specifically formulated for use with the Steamin Demon High-Flow Extraction Carpet Cleaning System. The pre-spray is...

ZipWall keeps out the dust. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... ZipWall Dust Barrier uses telescoping extension poles to create a tight dust barrier using plastic sheeting or canvas, and will not damage walls and ceilings, according to the manufacturer. The dust barrier is available in the standard...

3M releases next generation of Scotchgard. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... 3M introduces the new professional, in-home applied Scotchgard Protector for Carpet and Upholstery. Celebrating 50 years since it was first introduced, Scotchgard has been reformulated to provide what the company describes as an "even better...

Fiber Refresh formulated to neutralize residue. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Steam Way's Fiber Refresh Acid Rinse Detergent has been formulated to neutralize pre-spray residue. This action is designed to leave a softer feel to carpet, stabilize color and prevent browning and yellowing, according to Steam Way. Fiber...

Steamaction improves on Roto Steam wand. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Steamaction has improved its Roto Steam wind. The wand now features a stainless-steel chain drive intended to "eliminate the problems associated with belt drive," the company said. The self-propelled wand is a pile lifter and scrub wand in...

DSC Products presents Spin-Vac. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... DSC Products Inc. presents Spin-Vac, a low-moisture cleaning system designed to encapsulate soils in crystalline polymers. Spin-Vac is meant for use with roto-brush systems followed by vacuuming. According to DSC, Spin-Vac will not powder...

HydraMaster upholstery tool sports new look. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... HydraMaster Corp.'s DriMaster Upholstery Tool now sports a glossy black body and silver label. The new finish has been designed to be more resilient to the every day handling. The DriMaster features a "jetless" water delivery system and...

Hydro-Force releases latest Door Jam model. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Hydro-Force has released its latest Door Jam model, a pillow-like pad fitted to a customer's door. The product is designed to provide a barrier against weather, animals and insects while allowing cleaning hoses to pass unimpeded through the...

Simtec Co. makes Furniture Slides for easy moves. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Simtec Co.'s EZ Moves Furniture Slides feature thick foam padding that conforms to any furniture placed on it, and requires no adhesives to hold fast. The weight of the furniture keeps the EZ Moves in place. For quick moves, the EZ Moves...

InspecTen simplifies, systemizes inspection report writing. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... InspecTen software from the Academy of Textiles & Flooring is intended to make the process of inspection report writing simpler, more efficient and more successful for both the beginner inspector and the expert. A 10-step report outline...

Rug Doctor Pro extractor now features Quick Dry. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Rug Doctor Pro now includes a Quick Dry feature designed to provide fast spill cleanup to extend carpet life. The new solution and machine system is meant to dry carpets within an hour, according to the company. The extractor is available...

HOST Shaker Pak contains 2.5 pounds of cleaner. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... The portable, handheld Shaker Pak from HOST contains 2.5 pounds of cleaner for immediate carper cleanup of spots and spills, including common pet accidents and drink spills. The cleaner is designed to remove soil and grease from carpet. The...

Un-Duz-It formulation enhanced. (Products, Tools & Equipment).
March 1, 2003... Un-Duz-It has been designed to correct pet odor problems and to remove organic-related staining. The product's formulation has been recently enhanced, according to Unsmoke. Un-Duz-It is formulated to utilize bioenzymatic actions as a...

Upgrading your customer: "a man is known by the company he organizes." Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914). (To Your Success).
March 1, 2003... My guess is you want the very best for yourself and your family. And don't you deserve it? After all, the vast majority of carpet cleaners are highly skilled, hard working and honest individuals. Yet very few ever acquire "the very best" in...

Odors and Odor control: carpet cleaners are unbelievable. not only do they conduct themselves in a poised and professional manner, they must be accepting of another person's living quarters, customs and conditions. (Focus on Chemicals).
March 1, 2003... Odors in a home can be the homeowner's environmental identification, or signature odor. To some, it doesn't matter if their home smells of wet dog or carries the fragrance of springtime wafting through the windows. To others, a scented candle...

Training technicians to please your customers. (The Training Corner).
March 1, 2003... Virtually all technician training, at the company level as well as the certification level, is focused on what we view to be the most common problem in residential carpet cleaning; Emergency spot and spill help. Closer to the truth is that...

Knowing when to just say no. (Notes From the Trenches).
March 1, 2003... Much has been made of the practice of "firing" unreasonable or unfair clients. I feel most veteran cleaners will agree with me when I say there are some instances when the time-honored cliche of "the customer is always right" simply does not...

What are they saying about the Rotovac Powerwand? (Paid Advertisement).
March 1, 2003... The Rotovac Powerwand replaces the manual scrub wand for extraction carpet cleaning, combining rotary agitation with hot water extraction. Carpet cleaners everywhere are discovering that the Rotovac cleans better, leaves the carpet drier and is...

Odorcide[R] 210 concentrate image. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... Looking for a different and better urine, feces, decayed matter, mold and mildew odor eradicator. Look no further! Try Odorcide [R] 210. It's guaranteed to work! Save on labor costs with no "Dwell Time." (Unlike enzyme bacteria products)...

Indoor environmental solutions image. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... Thinking about the Air Duct Cleaning industry? Whether you are experienced in this industry or wanting to get started, our new catalog has all the items you need! For over 10 years we have provided quality equipment, training and service to our...

Vaporshark removes odors from atmosphere, structure & contents simultaneously. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... The VaporShark by Vaportek provides a simple, safe and effective solution to tough odor problems in a broad spectrum of industries and situations, without the use of ozone or foggets. The VaporShark's patented dry vapor technology has...

Jon-Don. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... From leadership in the field to leadership on the homefront, Jon-Don has enjoyed helping customers become leaders for 25 years. In our continuing effort to provide the most comprehensive and professional assistance for your company, Jon-Don...

KleenRite Equipment. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... Kleenrite Equipment is proud to announce the new Sphere. This small, portable unit is excellent for cleaning upholstery, automobiles, office partitions and small areas of carpeting. Available in 60 or 100 psi, single 2-stage or 3-stage vacuum...

DriMaster Rotary Extractor. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... HydraMaster's new model DriMaster Rotary Extractor [TM] incorporates their patented DriMaster [TM] "jetless" cleaning technology. The advantages of the DriMaster technology include extreme fast drying after cleaning. The new DriMaster Rotary...

MasterBlend. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... MasterBlend announces the release of the CRB System for carpet maintenance. A low moisture low residue cleaning system is recommended by carpet mills today -- particularly for their contract carpeting. The CRB System uses Mist N Brush LM [TM]...

Cobra tile and grout hand tool. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... The new Cobra hand tool from Hydro-Force cleans tile and grout on kitchen counter tops, corners, edges, bathrooms and any area that can't be reached with the Turbo or Gekko tile and grout tools. Its brush handles uneven surfaces easily and lets...

The Intrepid by Northland products. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... Here it is, the new Intrepid Portable Carpet and Hard Surface Extractor. This unit features a durable 15 gallon solution tank polyethylene housing with a standard lifetime warranty. The 500 psi pump and innovative inline heating system deliver...

Chemspec truckmount delivers high heat. (Product & Literature Guide).
March 1, 2003... Chemspec's High Heat 860 truckmount offers a 250-degree, 3,000-PSI general pump or Cat 5CP Pump and a stainless steel chemical pump for high-pressure heat. The truckmount comes equipped with a 46 Nissan water-cooled engine, 5009 Tuthill Tri-Lob...

Check and re-check your professional appearance. (IICRC President's Corner).
March 1, 2003... Let the busy season begin. It is March, and the annual homeowner ritual of Spring Cleaning has arrived. My question is, do we look and act like professionals? In my opinion, too often we do not. Take a moment and examine your equipment. Did...