Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sherco on November 04, 2008, 09:51:23 am
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I have been cleaning carpets for a few months now, and i still find it difficult identifying carpets. I did the Prochem course, and do it how they showed me, burn test ect. Could any of you guys give me any advice on this subject as want to learn how to do it properly. Thanks guys
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I did the prochem course. all info is in the manual. I also went to my local carpet shop and got a load of samples which are ideal to practice with
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Sherco
The burn test will only help you to identify the fibre. It does nothing to help identify the carpet type.
You need to do the same as Gerry.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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open up the pile to see what backing it is, if its fibre glass its ok to wet clean, if its woven, then check to see what the fibres are made from, if they are polyprop then dont overwet or dry compound as can cause shrinkage on the odd occasion
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Thanks guys.
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Just dont overwet anything and play it safe ;)
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Visit carpet shops regular and note how they look, feel, backing etc then check label. Ask for some samples so you can do tests at your liesure knowing what they are.
Key is BW, defo need to know one of these. After that it's more for how hard you can hit something pre spray wise.
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Russell,
Fibre Glass? I think you mean Polypropolene.
Dave.
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no Dave, polypropelene is the fibre, the backing can be fibreglass with a glued and hessian structure, look through the pile, you will see the white glass
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Most of the time you just need to know whether its natural or synthetic. the burn test will tell you this.If you need to find out the construction pull back the carpet and check the backing.
When you have done this you should have all the information you need to clean it.
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am i right in thinking that if it is a BW polyprop - do not wet clean but BW which is wool or wool mix should be ok as long as you do not over wet
Hi sherco by the way - i was on the same course back in Jan - Jon from Cardiff
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Tabs, a BW is polyprop, not wool. If it is a Wilton it will be wool and therefore perfectly safe to wetclean
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got you - Thanks Mitch
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it helps if you understand why it matters that the fibres cause a difference, and also helps you sell your product easier if you show knowledge
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Tabs, a BW is polyprop, not wool. If it is a Wilton it will be wool and therefore perfectly safe to wetclean
Ive seen a wool wilton shrink, easily done if you over wet it.
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any woven back carpet can shrink if water gets to the backing, even rugs!!
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Tabs, a BW is polyprop, not wool. If it is a Wilton it will be wool and therefore perfectly safe to wetclean
Ollie, when I say perfectly safe to wet clean I mean safe if the correct cleaning procedures are followed and not safe if you soak it!
Phil
Ive seen a wool wilton shrink, easily done if you over wet it.
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Russel,
Ive never heard of fibre glass in carpet construction. Ive only been in this business for nearly 30 years. I also fit carpets. Have a diploma from Kidderminster Textile College. That shiny white in the primary backing of a tufted carpet is Polyprop, regardless of the pile fibre.
Dave.
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Second that Dave - been supplying and fitting carpets for 27 years.
The white primary backing is made of polypropelene, not fibre glass.
Steve
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I'm with Steve and Dave. It's a flat ribbon polypropylene that's used in most tufted and woven carpet backings.
The only carpet I'm aware of that has fibre glass in the backing is Flotex.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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Congratulations you read something on the internet for 2 minutes and you now know more than 3 people with nearly 90 years experience between them.
I don't know why I bother coming on here you all know it all already.
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i always thought fibre glass was made of glass fibres,
ya learn something new everyday on here, its educational and informative.
derek
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just because your an old man, doesnt mean you know it all
Ha ha - old man I'm 46 !
Bloody hell that makes Dave and Ken prehistoric ! :)
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Hi Guys
Ken is spot on Flotex has a fibreglass base which is coated with PVC before the Nylon fibres are electrostatically embedded, I helped develop the fibreglass base many years ago :o
I have not heard of is being used otherwise, because unless it is fully coated it will be too brittle.
Cushion floors will also have fibreglass bases.
As for recognising carpets that will come with experience, but more important is to follow a procedure of inspecting the fitting of the carpet.
How well is it attached to the gripper, how well is gripper attached to the floor, this is particularly important on concrete floors.
Also worth bearing in mind if a carpet is going to shrink it will start to go withiin a few minutes, if you are not sure clean an inconspicuous area, say under a settee, leave for a few minutes and observe.
Cheers
Doug
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A few deletions then since I last looked. Thanks for that copy Steve, obviously the remarks of a sore loser.
Dave.
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I just clean all carpets with HWE solution from Craftex, full blast, never let me down, wool, poly prop, axminster, you name it i'll blast it with this stuff, dont worry about pre spray, just scrub stain out with a wire brush and white spirit, too much time these days is being given to 'the right chemical' and 'a satisfactory finish',, just get in there, scrubbidy scrub, cash on delivery, no questions asked.
Dan
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Come on be honest when was the last time anyone actually did a burn test?
Bet it was a long time ago.-John
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did a burn test twice this morning on quotes, got the jobs, thank you very much,
i always do a burn test. customers love it.
derek
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Prochem sell a burn test kit.
Shaun
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Prochem sell a burn test kit.
Shaun
Whats that, a box of matches ;D
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Tweaser, lighter, magnifying glass etc in a smart little kit to look professional, don't forget it's all showmanship.
Shaun
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Shaun
Are you doing burn tests tthse days.
All i will say is look out for Axmister and Wilton type Carpets customer says they paid £35 a metre for from carpet right
I am aware they ony paid £8.50 or £12.50 depending on if it was double discount day etc
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Do I buggery no way!
Shaun
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so far ive had 3 people say theyve got woven wool carpets, good job i do burn tests, polyprop through and through, the look on there faces when you tell them its not wool, one women was livid, "he said (carpet shop bloke) it was wool, the lying beep beep" then they start looking for the receipt. well funny.
derek
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Derek, been there a few times letting the custy know its not exactly what they thought or bought it as.
last time it didnt go down well at all so I give up now and just agree thats its very expensive and with cost more to clean ... I know its wrong but it makes the custy happy and thats the goal .
Ricky T
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erm " WILL COST MORE TO CLEAN " I ment .
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Abilility, you talk nonsense, no wonder you're struggling for work son.
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Dan , Im struggling for work eh ? :o
Really ? :o
If you say so ! ;D ;D ;D
Ricky T (PMSL)
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Dan, I take your well skilled Tech in CC world who knows his apples from his oranges, not one of those just get in there and blast away take the pay and run .
I could truly only aspire to day be as skilled as you are :-[ :-[
In Exeter very soon Visit old pals from Exmouth , Exwick & Burn house Lane ,
could meet up for pint and you could teach me how to get more work ......... how to deal with custys ....
generally how to be a better CC ??? ??? ???
Ricky T
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Sounds good, tell me, where is this Burn House Lane? Did you mean Burnthouse Lane? And if so, who's the long lost buddy from there? I grew up there so probably know them. ;)
Dan