Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: AshWhite on October 31, 2011, 04:49:58 pm

Title: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on October 31, 2011, 04:49:58 pm
At the moment, I have access to a large empty garage which I use when I need to clean rugs.  What I'm looking for, I think, is some sort of mesh on a roll that I can use to lay rugs on top of, for vacuuming and extracting (leaving a small gap between the rug and the floor).

It needs to be galvanised, thick enough to support the rug off the floor, but small enough to roll up and store in the corner of the garage or the back of the van.

Any ideas where I might find such a thing?
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Colin Day on October 31, 2011, 05:09:08 pm
http://www.4wire.co.uk/wire-mesh-13x13mm-holes-inch-36high-125meters-p-275.html
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on October 31, 2011, 05:12:34 pm
You need a floor grid from the rug badger system - or is that what you've seen and are trying to find similar?

I've looked for similar before and always drawn a blank :(

But now own a badger and 2 floor grids, just need some of popeye's magic spinach to lift the damn things around, stupendously heavy stuff!!!
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on October 31, 2011, 05:13:40 pm
Colin that stuff's no good, doesn't lift the rug off the floor enough :-\
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Steve Gunn on October 31, 2011, 05:20:47 pm
Would something like this do? seen it in roll out form when players putting boots on at the local pitches

http://www.playgroundtiles-direct.co.uk/products.php?SID=41

Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on October 31, 2011, 05:20:50 pm
Yes Jim, I think that's where I got the idea. Colin, as jim said that stuff doesn't have the gauge (I think that's the word) to lift off the ground enough, but thanks anyway :)
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on October 31, 2011, 05:22:03 pm
Quote
Would something like this do? seen it in roll out form when players putting boots on at the local pitches

Whatever it is seems to be invisible Steve, so no!  You'd always be losing it!!  :D :D
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Chris Hawkes on October 31, 2011, 05:43:14 pm
Have a look at this:

http://www.fieldguard.com/field_path_mats.html

Been looking for getting something like this for a while.  There was some similar stuff on ebay a while back which I nearly bought which was from Germany and there only seemed to be one importer for the whole country.

Chris

OK, here you go, here's the stuff I was looking at on ebay:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Carpetpac/Gateway-mats-/_i.html?_fsub=15614955
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on October 31, 2011, 07:25:03 pm
I'm concerned that the rubber stuff would break down over time, and also that it would attract more dirt (and be harder to clean) than metal.

Any ideas what the floor grids go for Jim?
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on October 31, 2011, 08:24:40 pm
dynawest.co.uk or regalvibro.co.uk

There are other grids which are used in factory oil spill areas which come like mats and probably less expensive, can't remember where they come from.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: elliott cleaning on October 31, 2011, 08:39:38 pm
As Jim mentioned - the Rugbadger grids are really the best for this purpose - weighty as they may be.    Give Dusty a ring - he normally sounds a bit absent minded but you may get a good deal off him
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on October 31, 2011, 09:15:47 pm
I've added Dusty as a friend on Facebook, I'll ask him once he accepts.

Typically, when I was looking, I found this about 1/2 hour down the road..

http://forum.pigeonbasics.org/topic/3947-metal-floor-grids-free-to-anyone-who-can-collect/

But it's 2 years old, gutted!
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on October 31, 2011, 09:56:53 pm
Those grid tiles would be a nightmare to work with - how would you collect the dirt you've beaten out of the rug?  You'd have to be constantly dismantling and re-building your "floor"

The rubber ones would be no good either because of the risk of rubber transfer on to the rug.

I've got a commercial customer with a workshop area where they have those plastic grid tiles.  He asked me to quote for cleaning them out, I did a little bit of test cleaning and promptly put in a VERY high price for it!!!!  Absolute pain, you can't clean crap out of them very well at all when they're laid down on the floor

In fairness though this was a farm workshop, so the soiling consisted of mud and gravel - it might be a bit easier to vacuum out the dry soil after back-dusting a rug.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jamie Pearson on November 01, 2011, 04:55:41 am
http://www.boddingtons-ltd.com/forestry/grassprotecta-grass-reinforcement-mesh.htm (http://www.boddingtons-ltd.com/forestry/grassprotecta-grass-reinforcement-mesh.htm)

That's what I use.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on November 01, 2011, 09:25:01 am
That looks interesting Jamie, and cheaper than badger grid!

What sized sections did you get?  Does it roll up tightly or try to spring back all the time?
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 01, 2011, 09:29:37 am
I noticed that stuff on my search (the name attracted me!), does it lift off the ground enough?
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jamie Pearson on November 01, 2011, 11:24:00 pm
Yeah it rolls up okay. Lifts it high enough. I like to clean on them too so when I flood the rug the soiling drains out. I always rinse them face down. I have yet to clear an area in our place for a bath. Too many pallets of stuff kicking around. I really need to get my a$$ in gear and advertise this service then I can justify a centrifuge. We are quite fortunate that we have a huge laundry/dry cleaners next to use who referr us about 4-6 rugs a week.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on November 02, 2011, 12:33:06 am
deck-safe.co.uk


this is more like the one I had in mind.

Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 02, 2011, 12:45:33 am
That looks interesting Robert - just a matter of getting it in the right size to accomodate most rugs as it can't be rolled up.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on November 02, 2011, 09:19:04 am
I came across some of these a while ago but no longer have the sources.........as I re collect they come in relatively small sections as they are used in factories where oil spills are common to keep workers feet clear of the floor when pouring.

Another option might be a cattle grid.............but this is getting heavy duty...There is also the obvious option of metal grid gangways as in ships / oil platforms etc. I'm sure a little time searching will come up with your ideal solution.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 02, 2011, 05:48:50 pm
I've ordered some of this

http://www.plastics-express.co.uk/product/Ground_Grid_-_380mm_x_380mm_x_40mm_%280.144_sqm%29_P-GTE001

I'll see how it is, I've got a large rug waiting for a clean so it'll be trial by fire.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on November 02, 2011, 09:00:35 pm
Ash that's the stuff you'd put on a bank to hold soil in place, as at the side of the road,  think it might collapse under a wet rug
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Chris Hawkes on November 03, 2011, 06:50:32 am
You must have had to buy quite a few Ash considering their size.

Let us know how you get on with them

Chris
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 03, 2011, 10:01:02 am
I've ordered 35 (I've got a rug which is 170cm x 240cm to clean), this covers it with a bit of extra.

Robert, my thought is that with the weight distributed over the whole surface, it should support it  ??? ???

Hopefully getting delivered today so I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on November 03, 2011, 02:57:27 pm
Well it will give you the chance to experiment safely and at low cost
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jamie Pearson on November 03, 2011, 02:58:34 pm
Ash that's the stuff you'd put on a bank to hold soil in place, as at the side of the road,  think it might collapse under a wet rug

It looks similar to the stiff that I used to build a hidden parking area on my lawn. It should be fine. Some of them can handle diggers trafficking them.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 03, 2011, 03:07:56 pm
Well no delivery as yet, so I think it's fair to assume it's not coming today!

That said, I've got a head cold and it's made me deaf - hope I haven't missed the courier  ::)
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on November 03, 2011, 03:10:29 pm
Maybe your van put him off...............he'd be expecting a " landscapers " van  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jamie Pearson on November 03, 2011, 03:10:44 pm
WHAT ?
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 03, 2011, 03:27:19 pm
WHAT ?

I've been mostly deaf for 2 weeks now. That one is getting old!
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 04, 2011, 03:09:55 pm
The stuff just arrived. Its similar thickness plastic to what's used on milk crates (remember them?) So I think it'll be fine. I'm going to try and do this rug this afternoon, so I'll post my results soon as I know.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 04, 2011, 06:39:58 pm
OK, set it all up (took about 20 mins, bit of a pain but I'm hoping to store it on the wall in one piece for future use)

Put the rug on it, presprayed it, went over it with my large Multiwash, and extracted it - no problems at all!

I didn't flood the rug so it hasn't had a huge weight over the whole face, but so far so good!

There are about 4 little pegs on the underside of the panels (for digging into turf) which I don't think will last long, but they didnt cause a problem on this outing.

I've attached a few pics to show the layout, and the amount of ground clearance it gives.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on November 04, 2011, 08:31:59 pm
Ash, you didn't mention anything about back dusting ???
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 04, 2011, 08:40:10 pm
I vacced both faces of the rug thoroughly before starting treatment.

I was only mentioning the steps to illustrate the weight placed on the surface as opposed to the cleaning process  :)
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: robert meldrum on November 04, 2011, 11:15:24 pm
That mesh looks fine a lot more solid than the one I was thinking of.
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Mike Halliday on November 05, 2011, 08:07:35 am
Ash, you didn't mention anything about back dusting ???

Iwas wondering that, surely the sole reason for buying this mesh is to háve a catching area beneath the rug. Once you,ve beaten out the dirt it is no longer used
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on November 05, 2011, 03:38:55 pm
I thought the same Mike, the grid is primarily to allow the dry soil to be physically removed from the face fibres rather than leaving the face of the rug rubbing it round on the floor.

But I suppose it depends how you're cleaning the rug.  If you're power washing it, the grid would probably be good as it allows water to drain off.  I would have thought the rug would not stay still very well on the grid if you were trying to extract it, seems as there's less surface-to-surface contact to cause friction and keep the rug in place

Might be wrong about that though, I guess Ash will find out as he uses it :)

I like my badger floor grid, it is brilliant, the only thing is the weight!  God it's heavy :-\
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 05, 2011, 03:50:33 pm
I wanted it for a few purposes, firstly for dusting out onto the floor, and for extracting on. I tried it last night, and starting from the middle and working to the ends works fine, no lifting the rug whatsoever. I also wanted it to leave the rug on for it to dry, as opposed to sitting on the ground where it would be more prone to gathering dust.

So far I'm pleased with it, just picked it up to stand on its side so its out of the way and its not massively heavy.
I might even get a few more sections to allow cleaning small rugs / runners in customers back gardens as necessary!
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: Jim_77 on November 05, 2011, 06:25:40 pm
Nice one Ash :)

I take it the tiles don't just fall apart when you try to lift them up in one piece?
Title: Re: Mesh
Post by: AshWhite on November 05, 2011, 09:18:27 pm
No Jim, a couple of the click connectors came apart, but as soon as I lie it back down they should click back into place. It stayed in one piece which is what I wanted.