Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Doug Holloway on December 10, 2010, 05:28:12 pm
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Hi Guys
I used my SX-12 floor cleaning attachment for the first time in anger yesterday and it, combined with the TM did a fantastic job, the customer was very pleased.
It was a well paid job but by the end (5 hours) i was bored as unlike with carpets there was nothing to challenge the grey matter.
How do you guys find hard floor cleaning?
Cheers
Doug
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How do you guys find hard floor cleaning?
I got asked about could I clean a stone kitchen floor yesterday whilst doing the carpet.
Having heard about the pitfalls of screwing up stone floors unless you know your stuff I declined to even give the slightest bit of advice.
Messing up a carpet is one thing, messing up someones prime quarried stone/slate is another.
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how close to the edges did you get? I did a job with my spinner that took an 1hour 30 mins.... but the hour was on my knees with a handtool. My spinner left an inch strip around the walls
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We do a lot of stone. Just use the right chemicals, a rotary or an Cimex and a hard floor tool on the Recoil. Just have to be careful with certain chems on certain stone, like acids on calcium based stone.etc
Take it easy
J.
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Most manmades are easy enough but care is required more with natural stone. Generally I find a good brushing with a grout brush around the edges before rinsing is enough, and using the hose cuff where necessary. Sandstone though is a bit different and does need some rinse pressure to avoid leaving an edge.
Dave.
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Hi Guys
....... by the end (5 hours) i was bored as unlike with carpets there was nothing to challenge the grey matter.
How do you guys find hard floor cleaning?
Cheers
Doug
Yes, I can imagine that after that length of time just using the SX, you would be bored to distraction.
However there is alot more to stone floor cleaning than wafting an SX over them. Sure for a once over quick fix clean they are fine. With all the different kinds of stone flooring being used today, to get them all properly clean including the likes of grouting, there is in fact far more to keep the grey matter active compared to carpet cleaning
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I find it best to use the sx12 for rinsing only. Using a rotary or crb machine to do the initial cleaning. That way you don't need to use so much pressure and reduce the risk f damage to skirtings, kitchen units etc trying to blast the edges.
Be careful using these tools on natural stone. Exceeding 800psi can cause problems with blowing open the pores in the stone.
It is also possible to damage sub floor timbers by injecting too much water.
As previously said on most ceramic and porcelain jobs there isn't too much of a problem.
Chemspec Enzall is amazing on kitchen ceramic tiles. Especially commercial kitchens.
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Doug
Hope your well?
just like pressure washing its hard work when you earn good money on carpets. its that hock once you experiences an easy way to earn money everything else looks hard.
Also if you have gaps in your booking and you don't like sitting around then it can fill them up. its a great plan B for when things are quite.
You have to also remember that every market has a size and within any area you have lots of business going for that market. we all have to ask ourself s are we getting our share? before adding on extra services. as it will take money to promote and buy the equipment to expand new services.
I have spoken about this before but given the environment we need to sell more and not just market to people with a need. big difference.
My advise would be to SELL this service to your carpet customer and not worry about prospecting for new business with the hard floors. that way you don't expend new energy and money.
Respect
Ian
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Stone floors are tricky if you dont know what you are doing...What sealer do you use once cleaned? Topical sealer, impregnating sealer...What happens if your cleaning a Honed & filled limestone or Travertine floor and the filler starts coming out of the stone...How do you repair it...Does the floor need a sealer & coating remover to remove sealed in grout haze making the floor look dirty...The list goes on!!! ;D
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Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies, my statement was a bit tongue in cheek as I realise, much like CC there is a lot more to doing it than initially meets the eye.
The job I did was very straightforward and I had pretested an area with a trial version a few weeks ago.
Cheers
Doug
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A lot of people think because it’s stone, it is impossible to damage it! Nothing could be further from the truth. Stone has many potential weaknesses, but once it has been properly protected and maintained the beauty is unparalleled.