ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from May 2004

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from May 2004

When the wind blows ... During the past few months I've received some comments regarding the space ICS has been devoting to mold and mold remediation in recent issues.(Editorial Comment)
May 1, 2004... The majority of these observations have been, by a wide margin, in support of the increase, anything from a "Glad to see it's getting the attention it deserves," to "This is important stuff; it's nice to know you recognize that." I'm happy to...

RE: "Ethical Services Web site launches controversy" (Jan. 2004).(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... Dear ICS: I have been a Piranha member since 1997. At first I was worried that another cleaner in my area would also become a member. My thought was that it would be difficult to compete with good quality, ethical and higher priced...

HVAC system sampling and cleaning in mold remediation projects.(IEQ Q & A)
May 1, 2004... Q: I have recently been involved in several mold remediation projects. It is not clear to me when the HVAC system does and does not require sampling, and when during the process of remediation I should have the system cleaned. A: With...

Wax on, wax off: it is enlightening to watch discussions on various industry bulletin boards regarding the damage that can be caused by candles burning regularly in a home.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
May 1, 2004... One problem that can arise is light, sooty-type filtration soil that builds up in areas of high or concentrated airflow. But the gradual buildup of this soil is not too headline grabbing when compared with the catastrophe of melted wax from a...

Good odds for fire-damage restoration.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... Gamblers living in southeast Texas can drive fewer than 50 miles to play slot machines. Britt Borel, David LeJeune and about 40 employees of C & B Services Disaster Kleenup traveled nearly 1,600 miles last fall on a very different--and...

Getting to "Yes" with the commercial client: part 2.(To Your Success)(easiest route to have a routine flow of easy money with the lowest hassle factor for carpet cleaners)
May 1, 2004... "One of these days is none of these days." --Old English proverb My guess is you did not go into business out of an over-whelming desire to clean the homes of your customers forever. Instead, you want a routine flow of easy money and...

Letting the ax fall: one part of running a business that we don't like to think about is that, sooner or later, things don't work out as planned and you have to let an employee go.(Building a Profitable Business)
May 1, 2004... The termination of an employee can be one of the more difficult aspects of being in business. There's a lot more to it than just saying "You're fired"; you are not Donald Trump. Before terminating an employee, make sure it is for good cause...

HEPA filters.(High Efficiency Particulate Air)
May 1, 2004... Professional cleaning technicians hear the term "HEPA" in reference to vacuum cleaners much more today than ever before. However, not everyone seems to know what HEPA actually is or does or how it can benefit them, their customers, and the...

Product & Literature Guide.
May 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...

Mold, the world's oldest obsession: mold is old. It's a part of life and it's everywhere. Mold was here long before us, and it will be around long after we're gone.(Focus on Chemicals)
May 1, 2004... But only in the last 30 years has mold been recognized as a specter of ill health, prompted by media scrutiny and education. As a youth, I remember all too well going downstairs to an earth-floor basement and encountering that moldy smell, a...

Hydro-Force unveils orange Corner Guards.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Hydro-Force's Corner Guards are now available in high-visibility orange. Corner Guards feature lightweight plastic, a gently rounded corner to allow hoses to slide by, a carpet-gripping lip and optional rubber feet for hard floors. ...

Butler gives a little TLC.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Butler Corp.'s Maximum Traffic Lane Cleaner is a blend of super-concentrated surfactants, builders, softeners and penetrants formulated to produce maximum soil suspension and fiber penetration in heavily soiled entry and traffic areas, the...

SKC introduces the QuickTake 15.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The SKC QuickTake 15 Sample Pump is designed to provide constant airflow for the short sampling times required for mold screenings, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The four-button keypad allows the user to select sample time...

Bridgepoint breaks up gum, stains.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Bridgepoint Systems introduces Gel Break, a gum-removal chemical the company says "works wonders at removing far more than gum." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gel Break is a natural citrus solvent is effective on gum, tar, cosmetics and...

HydraMaster designs new tank.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... HydraMaster introduces a new 85-gallon water tank constructed with a no-rust, powder-coated aluminum frame and precision casting, the company said, designed to offer long life and no corrosion. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The tank utilizes...

Kaivac helps speed the cleaning process.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The KaiMotion from Kaivac, Inc. is an ergonomically designed cleaning system intended to help cleaning professionals "speed through floor cleaning and finishing jobs three times faster than traditional mops and buckets," the company said. ...

Camera system provides a full view of interiors.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The new Color PT (Pan and Tilt) Duct Eye Camera System from Indoor Environmental Solutions allows for full viewing of interior surfaces, "no matter what the position of the camera head is," according to the company. The pan-and-tilt...

Butler protector looking out for all carpet.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Butler Corp.'s Maximum All Carpet Protector is a super-concentrated, water-based carpet protector that creates an invisible barrier against water- and oil-based stains and spills, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Maximum...

Therma-Stor introduces the Phoenix.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Phoenix Axial Air Mover from Therma-Stor is specifically engineered with patent-pending FOCUS technology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FOCUS technology produces air velocities two times greater than competitive product offerings,...

Sanitaire upright features exclusive brush roll.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Sanitaire upright vacuum model SC684 features the company's exclusive Vibra Groomer II brush roll. The Vibra Groomer produces "an effective wave action that vibrates to loosen deeply embedded dirt," the company said. The Sanitaire...

NTC releases concrete-polishing video.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The National Training Center for Stone and Masonry Trades has released a new instructional video titled "How to Polish Concrete Flooring." "Polished concrete flooring is on the increase, from large warehouses to malls and even homes," NTC...

Hose Helper makes rolling a breeze.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Hose Helper from Carpet and Floor Professionals is compatible with any reel on the market, and can be self-installed, according to the company. A 'forward-and-reverse' switch "makes rolling hose in and out a breeze." Circle 224 on the...

Conventions & Trade Shows.(Calendar of Industry Events)
May 1, 2004... JUNE 11-12: 4TH ANNUAL DRC CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW. Las Vegas. Call (905) 564-8218. JULY 15-17: CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION. Clearwater, Fla. Call (888) 881-1001. NOV. 4-6: CONNECTIONS CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW. ...

Connections Conference and Exhibition.(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... Conference & Exhibition--July 15-17 * Restoration College--July 12-14 & 18-22 THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS! WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE... The CONNECTIONS Conference and Exhibition is a technical conference geared toward...

Steam Brite gives airtime to air ducts.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Steam Brite Supply's Turbobrite color air-duct inspection camera features six LED lights, 60 feet of cable, and a 5.7-inch flat screen monitor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The camera is 1-inch wide. Velcro straps allow the operator to hook...

Delmhorst meter monitors moisture from start to finish.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The BD-2100 moisture meter from Delmhorst "is the perfect tool to monitor all phases of the drying process to ensure the structure is dried out properly and completely," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The BD-2100 features a...

Scot's Tuff line gets a new look.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Scot Laboratories has introduced a new package configuration for the professional carpet cleaners market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Based on feedback the company has received from professional cleaners, products will begin appearing in...

CTI puts the block on stains.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... CTI has released a new soil crystallization cleaner with stain-blocking chemistry. The "Brush & Bonnet with Stain Blockers" can be used for spray-and-brush or bonnet cleaning. The company says that 1 gallon of the concentrate will create enough...

HydraMaster takes on a new aroma.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... HydraMaster's ClearWater Rinse, a low-residue fiber rinse, now features a fresh-linen scent. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ClearWater Rinse is designed to neutralize and remove detergent residues and leave the carpet in proper pH balance....

King Cobra keeps striking a nerve.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The King Cobra series of portable hot-water extractors from U.S. Products continue to draw praise from industry professionals, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The King Cobra features 16-gallon capacity and variable 500-, 300-,...

Restoricide A operates with a wide range.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Restoricide A from MBA Techno-logies Inc. is a biocide the company says has a wide range of effectiveness, a "bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal, tuberculocidal" product that is EPA registered and "effectively cleans and decontaminates a wide...

Royce Rolls introduces cart, bin and press.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Royce Rolls Ringer Company introduces the MPCART. Built entirely of stainless steel, the cart is described by the company as being, "durable, easy to clean and rust resistant." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The microfiber bin and press...

KD Engineering shows us what's in the Boxx.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The AirBoxx from KD Engineering is a 1-pound handheld IAQ monitor. The base unit includes CO2, CO, temperature and relative humidity monitoring, as well as four additional channels for user-specified electrochemical sensor configurations, PID...

Lighthouse shines on handheld particle counter.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions offers what it says is the only handheld particle counter with 0.3-micron sensitivity. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Handheld 3016 displays six channels of particle data in either cumulative or differential...

Clarke system provides "natural polishing".(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Clarke's three-step Stone Care System "provides the only way to 'naturally polish' marble floors," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The system includes diamond-disc floor grinding to remove heavy scratches, followed by honing...

CURE Water Damage offers franchises.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... CURE Water Damage is offering water-damage franchises across the United States. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "As a national franchise we are committed to upholding a tradition of quality, state-of-the-art technology and excellent customer...

Tornado introduces the KSM 750 sweeper series.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The KSM 750 series walk-behind sweepers from Tornado are powered units featuring a patented high-efficiency filter and dust-control system for providing dust-free operation, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The main broom has...

Masterclean unleashes the Spraymaster.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Masterclean Products introduces the Spraymaster inline sprayer, what the company describes as "the first to use a higher-insulation tube on the water pipe, a hex adaptor prior to the injector for easy inspection, an ergonomic gun and a longer...

Clarke looks for the BextSpot to land.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The BextSpot Carpet Spot Cleaning System from Clarke is designed to "make cleaning carpet spots easier than ever," according to the company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The system includes a wand, hose and chemicals. The chemical...

MoistureDM puts out new moisture inspection kit.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... MoistureDM introduces its new MoistureFindir kit for moisture inspections. The kit includes a field-hardened MoistureFindir Level 1 infrared camera and a USB, hard-disk-based recorder/player with belt pack, plus cables to connect and drag and...

Terra-Tech offers variety of floor care chemicals.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Terra-Tech supplies chemicals for resilient floors, carpet, concrete, terrazzo and more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company's floor care line includes Dry Brite Floor Finish, designed to provide durability, protection and a brilliant...

Specialty Document Systems offers easy-to-use docs.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Specialty Document Systems was formed "due to the significant increase in litigation in the emergency contracting services industry," the company said. The system includes sample contracts; disclaimers, waivers and authorizations; billing...

Delmhorst introduces the HT-3000.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The HT-3000 from Delmhorst Instrument Co. is a thermo-hygrometer for IAQ and mold-remediation specialists, floor care professionals and others. The HT-3000 features selectable display screens, a relative humidity range of 0 percent to 100...

Delta introduces the Smart Handle Pro line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Delta Industries introduces the Smart Handle Pro line of cleaning and maintenance hand tools, designed to help reduce the strain workers endure on the job and direct more force to the task at hand, the company said. The line features 18...

Drop cloth developed to be clean and safe.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Clean & Safe Drop Cloth from KS International is "highly absorbent, easy to spread out and adjust, great for use on staircases, made of environmentally friendly recycled materials, and is available in convenient and economical sizes,"...

AQS provides desiccant dehumidifiers.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Air Quest Systems designs equipment "to withstand the rigorous nature of water damage restoration, shipyards, manufacturing plants, off- and on-shore petrochemical facilities, and the general rental industry," the company said. ...

HSS RentX offering free rate guide.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... HSS RentX is offering its 192-page rental rate and specification guide free. The guide can be obtained online or at any HSS RentX branch. Circle 234 on the Reader Inquiry Card.

Betco introduces the Bac Pac II.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... Betco introduces the Bac Pac II, a back-pack-style vacuum, to its family of dry vacuums. According to the company, versus conventional upright vacuums the Bac Pac II "can as much as double productivity by offering the operator easier...

Sanitaire unveils sealed HEPA vacuum system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The new sealed HEPA vacuum systems from Sanitaire, models SC5845 and SC5815, feature washable, sealed HEPA filters designed to capture dust and allergens in the air. The SC5845 uses a bagless cyclonic system with what the company claims is...

The Penguin has found a new foe.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2004... The Penguin 400C from The Safety Knife Co. is described as a "safe alternative to traditional open-bladed utility knives when cutting Visquine and polypropylene barriers used in remediation." The P400C has a completely enclosed blade, and...

IICRC S520 Mold Remediation Standard: separating fact from fiction (part 4); For almost four years now, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification has been collecting information, reviewing the scientific literature, debating technique and writing its long-awaited Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation, IICRC S520.(RX for Restoration)
May 1, 2004... The industry has long demanded a document that is more comprehensive and definitive than the present NYC or EPA guidelines for mold remediation; producing a quality document with far-ranging implications, however, takes research, time and...

Maintaining slate floor coverings: slate is a metamorphic rock. It begins as fine-grained clay mud. The process of extreme pressure and heating causes the mud, composed of sediments of decomposed stone and organic matter, to first to turn to sedimentary shale and then to slate.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
May 1, 2004... Slate cleaves along flat planes and is split into parallel sheets. They are easily identifiable by their "cleft" irregular surface; however, they can be honed to a smooth surface resembling a chalkboard. Slate is primarily composed of...

Marketing is about people, not numbers: when launching marketing campaigns, many cleaners often measure their success, or lack thereof, by the immediate response generated from the program. How often have you heard, "I mailed out 1,000 postcards and received a .05 percent response rate. Is that acceptable?".(Notes from the Trenches)
May 1, 2004... Yes, it is, but not necessarily because five people booked jobs with your firm. You'd probably book at least that number of jobs in a month from your phone book listing alone. Let's take a look at the big picture here. We've all heard the...

Former president George Bush to deliver ISSA keynote.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The International Sanitary Supply Association, Inc. has announced that former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush will be the keynote speaker for ISSA/Interclean-New Orleans 2004, Nov. 16-19 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. ...

Water Out opens academy doors.(Industry News & Information)
May 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-20-foot room is flooded with 200 gallons of water and left to soak for 24 hours. The inaugural drying...

ServiceMagic announces pact with MSN.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... ServiceMagic Inc., an online marketplace connecting homeowners to prescreened and customer-rated service professionals in their area, has announced the formation of a relationship with MSN. MSN will establish ServiceMagic as its exclusive...

Leatherwright Seminars announces restoration class.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2004... Leatherwright Seminars of Winnipeg, Canada announces a three-day leather restoration class. The class, to be taught be Tony Wheelwright, will address the repair and re-finishing of leather furniture, leather identification, the principles of...

McDowell Supply moves to larger facility.(Industry News & Information)(McDowell Supply Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... McDowell Supply Co. has moved its Seattle store to a new location. The new facility features 11,000 square feet of service and showroom space, as well as a "nice size" classroom and ample parking. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new...

Company confirms energy savings from ventilation system maintenance.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... BBJ Environmental Solutions, a manufacturer of products to clean and maintain ventilation systems, recently stated that clean ventilation systems "can save a building thousands of dollars annually in energy costs." BBJ technicians measured...

Shaw, John Downey Co. co-sponsor seminars.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Shaw Industries has joined with the John Downey Co. to co-sponsor the company's Facilities Carpet Care seminars. "I am extremely gratified that Shaw has decided to team up with us for these seminars," John Downey, company founder and...

Drying school offers structure-drying training.(Industry News & Information)(Dewald Drying Institute in Morristown)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Dewald Drying Institute in Morristown, Tenn. offers what the company describes as a system of rapid structure drying. "At our school, you will learn more than the definition of psychrometry or how to calculate grains per pound. You will...

Karcher acquires C-Tech Industries.(Industry News & Information)(C-Tech Industries)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Karcher has acquired Camas, Wash.-based C-Tech Industries, a market leader for professional pressure washers, from Harbour Group Limited. According to Karcher, after a thorough market analysis the company has found in C-Tech what it...

JohnsonDiversey, others join to advance sustainable environments.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... JohnsonDiversey has joined with five other corporations to form the Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments. The other members of the alliance include Johnson Controls, Philips Lighting, Forbo Flooring, The Invironmentalists and Milliken...

U.R.A. gains momentum.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2004... The Los Angeles Chapter of the United Remediators Association (L.A.U.R.A.) is planning a series of hands-on advanced microbial remediation education classes, which will be available to L.A.U.R.A. members at a reduced rate. Topics will include...

Genicare Inc. takes over new facility.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Genicare Inc., a carpet and fabric care solutions manufacturer, recently moved to new facilities in Rancho Dominguez, Calif. The company's new address is 1407 W. Mahalo Place. Genicare has been a formulator and manufacturer of professional...

LMCCA upgrades Web site; president accepts appointments.(Industry News & Information)(Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner's Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner's Association recently upgraded its Web site to make it "more interactive and include direct links to industry partners and members," the association said. More improvements are said to be forthcoming. In...

Butler shows off redesigned Web site.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Butler Corp. recently unveiled a new, redesigned Web site. The new site "offers visitors the most complete and up-to-date information on the new Butler Systems, new vans, pre-owned Butler Systems, pre-owned vans, industry events and more,"...

Windsor offers $5,000 for oldest Versamatic.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2004... Windsor Industries, as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Versamatic vacuum cleaner, is offering $5,000 in Windsor equipment for the oldest Versamatic still in use. The Versamatic, introduced in 1979, "revolutionized the design...

In search of excellence: the continuing challenge of making the IICRC curriculum the best the industry has to offer has created many changes in the way certification courses are created and revised.(IICRC President's Corner)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
May 1, 2004... The creation and updating of course outlines and exams is a lot more difficult than it used to be; once completed, however, you can be assured that the information covered is fair, accurate and well documented. I know of no other certification...