Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: richyp on February 23, 2009, 04:00:46 pm
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i currently have a window cleaning business and am looking to add carpet cleaning to my services. can anyone give me an idea which r the best machines and some advice on what model. i will just be doing domestic to start with. many thabks
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What are your needs richyp? Domestic? Commercial? Maybe add on upholstery? New? Secondhand? What about training? Budget? Van size? Even the type of premises you work in can effect the decision, eg lots of houses or high rise flats etc. etc. etc.
More information would help
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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i have a carpet cleaning firm and want to start window cleaning which is the best water feed unit to use please going to start window clean as well
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Susan
What a great idea i think I will start window cleaning around the Boldon area of Newcastle , mainly domestic though
. ;)
Neil
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Hi all.
I was going to start a topic along these lines, but seeing as this one is here i hope you don't mind me asking and adding to it.
I'm also a window cleaner but am looking at carpet cleaning as a add on. No high rise buildings where i live but plenty of hotels and houses. What got my attention was the host dry cleaning machine and is this of much use for what i need ?
Regards
Martin
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Alltec, Prochem, Woodbridge Commercial, Ashby, Hydramaster, World Of Clean (Scorpion) Cleansmart are all suppliers of quality equipment.
A basic machine for professional use should have twin vacs at least 100psi pump (135 better) and dependant on the chemicals heat via an element on board or one which fits in line. All the above suppliers can help except the triple vac scorpion which does not have heat (but that's a whole new debate)! Machines go from £1300 up to £3000 for a new one, they pop up on ebay for around half that and include other bits of kit you will need. Some come with tools and hoses and you can negotiate extras. Most use the same pumps and vac motors unless you are looking at high volume pumps of 200 psi plus. Ive owned Alltec's for years and find they are reliable and efficent. Most others experiences of their choice seem to be the same. Of course you could go the truck mount route.
Next get some training. This often comes free with a machine purchase, which will cover the basics, or the NCCA offer quality courses which I certainly found essential. Manufacturers offer training but will focus on their range of chemicals. A misconception is it looks easy but there are so many variables for carpets and upholstery regards fibres, backings you will only get away without training for so long until something bites you back and you end up owning it.
Seek out a carpet cleaner in your area and ask to help out, you will learn a lot. We are an easy going breed happier to see a trained technician charging fairly than a muppet with a bucket trying to cut our legs off.
I also network with other cleaners who specialise and we trade customers on a regular basis when we are asked, I don't do windows or drives, but I know a man who does ;D
Don't know about your budget but I started on my own in 1993 with 3 years on the job training after my guvnor retired with a Princes Youth Business Trust loan and grant (thanks Charlie!) for £6500 with a box trailer I think you'd struggle to do that now if you want to be serious.
Hope that helps
Simon
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Hi all.
I was going to start a topic along these lines, but seeing as this one is here i hope you don't mind me asking and adding to it.
I'm also a window cleaner but am looking at carpet cleaning as a add on. No high rise buildings where i live but plenty of hotels and houses. What got my attention was the host dry cleaning machine and is this of much use for what i need ?
Regards
Martin
There is a franchise that uses the Host granule system. Envirodri have a similar machine as does Prochem and Flexi5.
They do a job, but the granules are not cheap so one has to charge a premium for the clean, and I would not like to go where the carpets are really bad.
Apart from the vacuuming, the procedure is quiet so good for hotels.
and when the operator leaves the building the carpets are dry.
Hot water extraction is the universally agreed best way, but there are acceptable alternatives.
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Joe
Did you see the set up for sale on the other section selling a mattress and carpet cleaning system ???
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sorry for late reply ken,, i have citreon relay with a reach and wash tank 650 ltrs. i will be targeting both comercial and domestic and i am looking for a new machine.. cheers
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What budget have you set up for a machine ???
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2 to 3 grand m8. i have a local company called extracta which r supposed to be good and they offer a scubber tool to go with the carpet cleaner
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They come up on ebay those set ups used ???
There quite heavy in weight but will do the job.
You will get the machine and at least 50ft to 100ft of hose, wand ,hand,stair tool and turbo dryer for that sum.
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thanks for the advice lads
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The Exel is VAT Free at the moment... The Scrubba's a really good tool, it amazes the customers! It is heavy gear but it's easy enough to get it in and out of the van! The good thing about the body being made of glass fibre is that you can polish it up with car polish so it's always gleaming. Also, if the tank ever splits it's fixable!
If you could "Test Drive" as many different machines as you can you'll get a better idea of what will suit you!
Good luck!
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Collin
Thata a good deal then with no vat at the mo then from exlel :)
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Go and have a word with john at extracta , he has forgotten more than must people know about carpet cleaning , topman to talk too
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Extracta machines are getting left behind 100psi machines are ok but you should be looking for something more powerfull i think John Kelly is in your neck of the woods his company is called Restormate he will be able to sort you out.
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Clinton,
It's only if you order on line I think!
Darren,
I agree they don't look like a space ship, or tell you how much water you've got left or indeed make you a cup of coffee... I think they at Extracta have the notion that if it aint broken, don't fix it.
I haven't used any other type of machine so I couldn't possibly comment on other makes, but until I can afford a TM, I'll stick with what I've got, cos my customers are very happy with the results...!
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Colin i dont no why they dont put a bigger pump in there machines Prochem used to be the same but they do 500psi now but saying that i dont no why you need 500psi pumps in a porty you would run them dry in about 5minutes.
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Thats a goos deal for the extracta and a s collin says the clients like it,its all about the sizzle when they see the add ons to the machine :)
Agree there with the 500psi pump,its ok if your working from a van set up with water on board but you will be running out of water quick ???
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Apparantly you can fit a 135psi pump, but I was looking to see if I could fit a pump with a 350psi or there abouts to my back up machine (Any excuse to have a tinker about as my wife would say).... Does anyone know where I could find one?
I agree with you Darran to be honest, a bigger pump would be beneficial...
I know I had problems with my motors a couple of weeks back, but the service I recieved from John at "Extracta" restored my faith!
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Collin]
Have a word witht the guy who you bought it from.Am sure they would be able to fit a higher volume pump in it,as there will be plenty of room.not sure of the cost but would guess the 300 pound mark.
Dont forget you will need to do lots of dry passes if your going to pump mpre water on the carpet.
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I've found a 135psi pump on ebay (Brand new and 10 available) £160..... Would the extra 35psi make much difference?
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Collin
Dont think it would make more dif mate.
Have a word with john and ask him if you could get away with a larger pump ???
Sometimes the plumbing might need upgrading to cope with the extra water flow.
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Surely more psi would require a vac upgrade.
John
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bought a extracta today and scrubber delux so thanks guys. where can i do a oven cleaning course colin??
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Richy
Good to hear you got a set up mate.
Did youn get a good deal ???
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bought a extracta today and scrubber delux so thanks guys. where can i do a oven cleaning course colin??
Ring me on 07738 473323.... A lot of these oven cleaning courses are a complete rip off!
Cheers!!!!
PS, Good choice of machine ;)
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i got a good deal yeah clinton, got the vat wiped out .. al give you a ring tomorrow colin about the kitchen cleaning. is there much money in it?
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I did a commercial kitchen a while ago for £450.... Wouldn't rush out to do it again.... You're looking at £45-£60 on average, with practice you can be in and out in an hour to an hour and a half! It's not as lucrative as the carpet cleaning, but then you aren't using as much in the way of equipment...
It's a horrible stinking job, but when someone tells you their daughter thought they'd had a new oven put in after I'd cleaned it last week, it's worth it! Now where's my huge hat for my massively swolen head ;D ;D ;D
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I've found a 135psi pump on ebay (Brand new and 10 available) £160..... Would the extra 35psi make much difference?
Yes the 135 pump will fit and you will notice a difference its a 1/3 extra psi, a twin vac machine will cope with 135psi easily.
Mark
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I'll give it a try me thinks and let you know the outcome! Cheers Mark!
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ave got you number colin and al ring you soon if thats ok, i havent had time to come on m8
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Nae bother After 8!
I've put the 135psi pump in the back up exel, I'll take my good machine too as I'm working out of town and I'm worried something will give... I must say it doesn't read any higher than the 100psi pump according to the guage ??? ??? ??? Weird.