ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from March 2004

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from March 2004

The shows must go on: the Valentine's Day cards have been delicately filed away in the aluminum can under the sink, meaning it is just about time for exhibition and event season to hit its stride.(Editorial Comment)
March 1, 2004... March brings with it many things: The first day of spring. The birthday of Benito Juarez. St. Patrick's Day. That most glorious of athletic delights known as March Madness. And two of the cleaning and restoration industry's most important...

Moisture meters and thermography.(IEQ Q & A)
March 1, 2004... Q: I recently purchased a thermographic camera. Do I still need to use moisture meters? A: To answer this question, we need to discuss how thermography and moisture meters work and what they actually measure. Oddly enough, neither type of...

Going where the competition isn't: commercial cleaning accounts.(To Your Success)
March 1, 2004... "The most gifted members of the human species are at their creative best when they cannot have their way." Erik Hoffer Carpet cleaners are a funny bunch. Most of them fight like starving dogs over the "picked-over bone" of residential...

Restoration cleaning and specialty contents processing.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... In the course of any restoration business, dilemmas arise. Calls to respond to jobs that require quick response and specialty contents processing. The situations may include a fire loss at a mansion full of antiques and artwork; a water loss at...

The power of the portable: the past four or five years have seen a run up in horsepower, vacuum and heat in truck-mounted carpet-cleaning machines. Paralleling this run up is a steady increase in the power of portables.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
March 1, 2004... In the beginning, portable cleaning machines had small centrifugal pumps putting out around 25 to 35 pounds of pressure, with a water output of somewhere between _ gallon and 1 gallon per minute. These machines were capable of doing an...

IICRC S520 Mold Remediation Standard: separating fact from fiction (part 2); Last month, we began examining the IICRC S520 Mold Remediation Standard and Reference Guide.(Rx for Restoration)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
March 1, 2004... I have excerpted several sections from the Standard that further define what it is and for whom it is written (those sections will be in italics). I did not list the references (Section 2), but as you will see upon reading the document, it...

Customer service--not an option: there's an old cowboy saying that goes, "never forget the horse you rode into town on.".(Building a Profitable Business)
March 1, 2004... This came to mind recently as I was preparing for the new year by setting up my budget, making projections, and deciding where to place my limited promotional money so that it might do the most good. While it is always nice to think about...

HydraMaster releases new catalog.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... HydraMaster has just released an updated 90-page, full-color Technician's Master Catalog. The catalog highlights more than 45 cleaning products, and comes complete with product guides and MSDS information. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

CTI unveils new family of protectors.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... CTI has released a new family of carpet and upholstery protectors. Stain Guardian Ultra and Protection Plus both dilute 8:1 and cover 1,800 square feet per bottle, the company says. Stain Guardian comes with a one-year stain warranty attached...

Bridgepoint introduces Citric Acid.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... Bridgepoint introduces Citric Acid. Designed to help correct yellowing and browning, the company says it can work on both synthetic and natural fibers, and can even help prevent future yellowing and browning. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Butler goes for hard-surface cleaning.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... The Butler Corp.'s Maximum Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser is "a super powerful hard-surface cleaner that dissolves dirt, grime and grease on contact," according to the company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Maximum Multi-Purpose Cleaner...

Hydro-Force takes the throne.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... Hydro-Force introduces the Air King, a pivoting utility blower that draws .75 amps. The low draw means that one 15-amp circuit will run up to 20 Air King blowers, the company said, and since each Air King is equipped with two electrical...

King Cobra adds hose-management system.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... U.S. Products has added a 25-foot hose-management system to its line of King Cobra portable extractors. The King Cobra line also features a new wand caddy, chemical tray, cord wraps, and easy-to-access machine controls, all intended to help...

Scot Labs adds to Tuff family.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... Scot Laboratories introduces Power-Max Prespray to the company's Tuff family of carpet care products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Specifically designed to loosen and encapsulate ground-in dirt and old stains, Power-Max Prespray is the...

HydraMaster works on saving, simplifying space.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... HydraMaster introduces a way to save valuable cargo space with its 120-gallon fresh-water tank and custom shelving system. A manualor electric hose reel may be added as well. HydraMaster also offers a selection of custom three-tier shelves,...

Odorcide 210 available in trial size.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... Thornell Corp. is making trial-size bottles of its Odorcide 210 odor-control product available to every carpet cleaner and manager of housekeeping and janitorial services in the United States. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Odorcide 210 works...

Cat Pumps recasts, renames pump model.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... Cat Pumps announces the renaming of its direct-drive Plunger Pump. After producing thousands of pumps, the mold needed to be replaced. The crankcase on the new pump, now known as the 66DX, has been redesigned with a new look, using the same...

Custom Chemical formulations for cleaning pros.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2004... The Custom Chemical Co. develops formulas for the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry based on the chemicals an individual cleaning company is using. Custom Chemical formulates pre-sprays, spotters, deodorizers and more. [ILLUSTRATION...

Calendar of industry events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... Conventions & Trade Shows MARCH 9-13: "SOLUTIONS" ASCR 59TH ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXHIBITION. Colorado Springs, Colo. Call (800) 272-7012. MARCH 22-26: BSCAI CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW. Las Vegas. Call (800) 368-3414. MARCH 23-26:...

Surveymaster now features easier-to-use design.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Dri-Eaz Products Inc. has introduced a new model of the GE Protimeter Surveymaster that features an ergonomic design and a more detailed moisture-reading display, as well as the same 2-in-l moisture measurement function as the previous model....

Hi-Lite tums a "blind" eye.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Hi-Lite Enterprises Inc. introduces the BlindMaid DryRack for drying and repairing all types of window blinds. The DryRack can dry 25-30 blinds on one rack, using both sides, and can adjust to raise upwards of 8 feet. The DryRack can dry...

Butler aims for "Maximum" effect.(Products)
March 1, 2004... The Butler Corp.'s Maximum Truckmount Detergent is a super-concentrated, high-performance detergent designed for use as a primary cleaner in truck-mounted and portable extraction machines, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Prochem offers solutions to Olefin spotting concems.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Prochem has introduced a new two-step process for Olefin carpets. The cleaning, according to the company, will eliminate the recurring and yellowing spots so prevalent with Olefin. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Olefin PRE CLEAN is a...

PdQ Postcards aims to ease marketing concems.(Products)
March 1, 2004... pdQ Postcards "puts the power of professional, full-color and black-and-white marketing materials at your fingertips," the company said, whether it's postcards to increase sales, reminders to reinforce good cleaning habits, "Thank You" cards to...

BlueLINE crowns its CHAMP.(Products)
March 1, 2004... BlueLINE Equipment Co. introduces the CHAMP truckmount, featuring the Heat Guard Bypass system so the unit can operate without hooking up water for restoration; a 3 CP 1120 CAT pump with 4.2 gpm to help ensure adequate water volume for cleaning...

Bridgepoint modifies its approach to odor.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Bridgepoint Systems introduces Bio-Modifier, a ready-to-use, highly active solution with a combination of enzymes designed to "knock out" odors. The company says Bio-Modifier "eliminates odors caused by mold, mildew, urine, organic rot, vomit,...

HydraMaster's SpitFire a popular upgrade.(Products)
March 1, 2004... The SpitFire 3.2 truckmount from HydraMaster is a popular choice of cleaners upgrading from a portable unit, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The SpitFire 3.2 comes with a 16-hp Briggs & Stratton engine, Tuthill Competitor Plus...

Whittaker puts a little "Extra" in Crystal Dry.(Products)
March 1, 2004... The Whittaker Co. introduces Crystal Dry Extra, a nontoxic, non-butyl formula crystallizing carpet cleaning agent the company says can clean up to 7,500 square feet of carpet per hour for as little as 5 cents a square foot. [ILLUSTRATION...

Milliken aims to "Capture" dry cleaning.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Capture is a dry carpet-cleaning powder made of thousands of tiny particles that "look and act like sponges," according to Milliken. The particles are designed to absorb dirt, spills and spots on contact. Capture is safe on all fibers, the...

New monitor keeps watch on wood floors.(Products)
March 1, 2004... The FloorWatch from American FloorWatch Corp. monitors moisture content, relative humidity and temperature at any location the operator chooses. The data is sent via an ordinary telephone line directly to a specialized monitoring station, and...

Kent-Euroclean takes the "Edge" off.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Kent-Euroclean introduces the Edge 12 vacuum. Designed to "swipe away dirt, even if it is on the edge," hence the name, the Edge 12 features multiple filters that allow for particles as small as 0.1 microns to be trapped at the source. The...

Sanitaire takes the weight out of uprights.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Sanitaire introduces the Sanitaire Lightweights, models SC679 and SC689, two upright vacuum cleaners designed to be lightweight, quiet, and easy to empty. Both units are 5-amp uprights with a commercial UL listing. The Model SC679 weighs...

Advance takes on a "Cani"-do attitude.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Nilfisk-Advance introduces the Advance CaniStar vacuum, the first commercially available vacuum designed to offer optional pre- and post-fan HEPA filters, the company says. "By trapping more dust at the source, there is less dust in the...

Onset expands its family of HOBOs.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Onset Computer Corp. has added two new models to its line of HOBO U12 high-resolution, direct-USB data loggers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new logos, the HOBO U12-006 4-channel indoor and the HOBO U12-008 4-channel outdoor/industrial,...

Service Center from Principal Focus.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Principal Focus introduces Service Center, a software product tailored to carpet and fiber cleaning, disaster recovery and restoration, and commercial cleaning service companies. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to Principal Focus,...

New Koblenz uprights to be unveiled at BSCAI.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Thorne Electric will unveil four new Endurance upright vacuums at the BSCAI Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, March 22-26. The redesigned Endurance family from Koblenz features all-metal construction, including a cast-aluminum chassis...

SGM new line of grout, tile and stone care.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Southern Grouts & Mortars, Inc., introduces a new line of grout, tile and stone care. The new line of cleaners and sealers is designed to simplify maintenance and help the floor retain its natural color longer, the company says. The heavy-duty...

Paper restoration is pretty in pink.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Absorene's Paper & Book Cleaner, originally formulated in 1891, is used by restoration companies to restore old paper documents and like items, including maps, manuscripts, paintings, window shades and more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Dri-Eaz introduces the latest "Evolution" in dehumidifiers.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Dri-Eaz Products Inc. introduces the Evolution, what the company describes as "the first in the industry to pack advanced low-grain refrigerant technology into a compact-size dehumidifier." Designed with the restoration professional in...

Sealants and Stain Protection made "Easy".(Products)
March 1, 2004... Easy Care Products' eponymous product line consists of sealants and stain protectors that "shield" masonry, stone and concrete surfaces against damage caused by water and oil stains, the company says. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Easy...

TEC simplifies stone, tile and grout care.(Products)
March 1, 2004... TEC has introduced several new and improved products to its TEC Tile & Stone Care System. According to TEC Brand Manager Rachel Gibbons, the enhancements are specifically designed to simplify the maintenance and care category so that vendors...

Scot Labs looks for balanced performance.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Scot Laboratories introduces Foam Dry carpet shampoo, a new product to be marketed to professional and commercial carpet cleaners under the company's Scot's Tuff brand. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Foam Dry utilizes the company's...

Namco looks to speed up the drying process.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Namco Manufacturing, Inc. introduces what it describes as a new way to clean carpets. Just spray down a diluted formula of Magnum Blue Pre-Sprayer, the company says, and rinse with Namco's Acid Rinse Fast Dry Carpet Cleaning Solution. ...

Munters goes in for freeze drying.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Munters Corp. introduces the Accelerated Vacuum Freeze Dry System for restoring water-damaged materials at reduced batch-processing times. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The speed and efficiency of the system is accomplished due to two...

Spartan looks to light up Laminates.(Products)
March 1, 2004... Spartan Chemical Co. introduces Laminate Lights, a new floor coating technology the company says is more durable, requires no burnishing and less deep scrubbing and recoating, and less-frequent stripping and recoating. [ILLUSTRATION...

Low-Moisture methods and systems.
March 1, 2004... Have you ever sat and thought about cleaning systems? Hot-water extraction is arguably the world's most recognized method of cleaning carpets, but it is not the only method. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration...

Detailing: detailing is something that is often overlooked in hard-floor maintenance, but it is critical to the success of all operations.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
March 1, 2004... Sometimes we convince ourselves that cutting corners to get a job done is acceptable. After all, we can always catch up on the next visit. This procrastination philosophy will always lead to a bad end because even though the intent may be true...

Constructive criticism: it's not what you say but how you say it that can make all the difference when it comes to correcting employees.
March 1, 2004... People who work in the trades are not known for touchy-feely sensitivity. Cleaning and restoration work has a tradition of gruff, straight-shooting relations between supervisors and subordinates. This culture can be summed up by some of the...

Your guide to employee professionalism: I used to carry the belief that my technician, after receiving his daily discourse in "Do's and Don'ts," would leave our employ at any moment. After all, this is a job, not a prison sentence, right?(Notes from the Trenches)
March 1, 2004... The road to a successful repeat and referral business is littered with failures. I've been providing service to many of the same clients for more than 20 years, as well as to their offspring and friends, and I'd like to think that working by a...

Surfaces Trade Show & Exhibition sees good cleaning-industry turnout.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The 2004 Surfaces Trade Show and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Jan. 28-30 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, saw a number of cleaning- and restoration-related companies in attendance. Companies like Whittaker, Bridgepoint Systems, Prochem, U.S....

Electrolux names Holleran president of Floor Care in North America.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Martin Holleran has been appointed president and CEO for the North American Floor Care Sector of Electrolux, including the Eureka Co., Beam Ind. and Eureka/Beam Canada, according to Magnus Yngen, executive vice president of AB Electrolux of...

LMCCA announces 2004 board of directors.(Industry News & Information)(Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner's Association announces its 2004 board of directors: Lonnie McDonald, president; Dave Roderick, vice president; James Smith, technical vice president; Rick Gelinas, industry partners chairman; Mark Stanley; Fred...

Peoples joins CRI as director of sustainability.(Industry News & Information)(Carpet and Rug Institute )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Robert Peoples, PhD., has agreed to join the Carpet and Rug Institute as director of sustainability, according to CRI President Werner Braun. "We are extremely fortunate to gain a person of Bob's character, energy, and expertise," Braun...

L.A.U.R.A. holds monthly meeting.(Industry News & Information)(Los Angeles Unified Remediators Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Los Angeles Unified Remediators Association held its February meeting at Klean-Rite Distributors, Inc. in Van Nuys, Calif., Feb. 4. L.A.U.R.A. is an association committed to advancing the levels of knowledge and professionalism in the...

CARE announces availability of grants.(Industry News & Information)(Carpet America Recovery Effort)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Carpet America Recovery Effort has announced its second grant cycle. CARE will be accepting grant proposals for programs that provide for the recycling and/or reuse of post-consumer carpet, or increase the demand for products made from...

IAMRS merges with EEF.(Industry News & Information)(International Association of Mold Remediation Specialists)(Environmental Education Foundation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The International Association of Mold Remediation Specialists announces the merger of its membership into the Environmental Education Foundation, the world's largest charity focusing on environmental, health and safety issues. Bob Allen,...

Water out opens Academy doors.(Industry News & Information)(new from Water Out Drying Academy)
March 1, 2004... The Water Out Drying Academy has created a facility to demonstrate how its signature drying system works, the company says. An 8-foot-by-10-foot mobile trailer is flooded with 200 gallons of water and left to soak for 24 hours. The...

HydraMaster announces Boxxer raffle winner.(News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... HydraMaster and its distributor network sold raffle tickets in 2003 as a fundraising effort to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Customers donated $5 for a chance to win a Boxxer 421 truckmount. Tickets were collected from more...

IICRC makes changes to Standards Committee leadership.(News)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification announces that Larry Cooper, president of Textile Consultants, Inc., has stepped down as IICRC Standards Committee Chairman after 13 years. Cooper oversaw the writing and...

Greeley certified as trainer by WOOLSAFE.(HOST/Racine Industries Inc., Geoffrey Greeley, certified trainer of the WOOLSAFE Organization)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Geoffrey Greeley, director of training and technical services for HOST/Racine Industries Inc., has been recognized as a certified WOOLSAFE trainer, according to the WOOLSAFE Organization. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To become certified, an...

ASCR institutes to host training seminars.(News)(Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Mechanical Systems Hygiene Institute, part of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, will host a two-day residential air-duct cleaning course in Houston, April 22-23. The hands-on course will be conducted by Byron Ware,...

BSCAI releases statement on recent immigration enforcement actions.(News)(Building Service Contractors Association International)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Building Service Contractors Association International released a statement pertaining to recent immigration enforcement activities and what it says is a need for federal activity on worker misclassification. The statement calls for...

Clipperton develops new training program.(News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Gary Clipperton, vice president of ICAN and president of the National Pro Clean Corp., has developed a new training program known as FUNdamentals of Cleaning designed to address the training and learning challenges faced by many in the cleaning...

Turbo-Force puts finishing touches on new facility.(News)(Turbo-Force International)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Turbo-Force International recently put the finishing touches on its new facility in Glendale, Ariz. The 12,000-square-foot location will provide the company with additional manufacturing room to accommodate its new tools, as well as more office...

The ICS Product & Literature Guide.(Product & Literature Guide)
March 1, 2004... 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...

Supporting our trade associations: I keep hearing people say, "trade associations are dying off, they are going to disappear, there are no benefits," or "I am already an IICRC-certified firm, I do not need to meet and socialize with my competition.".(IICRC President's Corner)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
March 1, 2004... What people do not realize is that trade associations represent the very roots of the IICRC as we know it today. People who think that after they become IICRC certified or their company is an IICRC-certified firm that there is no need to belong...