[James Jacob]

Hi Everyone... This is my first post here in "Hard Floors" as Carpet Cleaning is where my training skills & equipment are...
Anyway i received a call to come out & look at some stone floor inside a nice old pub & i agreed to go as i thought they may well have carpets that need cleaning too (All Being Replaced for new ones.... )
So it really is just the brick floor that they want doing... Its a refurb operation & i got the call from one of the lead builders...
I have Had "No Training" in Hard Floor Techniques & i will be investing in doing some training courses in the near future I am looking into the different courses right now as i await answers/responses
Ok so heres the scenario.... its an old listed building & they have requested that no "Harsh Chemicals" be used...
It all appears to be brickwork flooring... doesnt appear to look too bad in my opinion... but hey, i know nothing
I have full kit for carpets & upholstery cleaning... but no specific hard floor cleaning tools or solutions...
I have a Ninja Machine...
I will try to post some pics here i took them today...
Is it possible i could do this specific job with limited tools & equipment? if so what will i need? the builder says we can hire stuff if we need to to get the job done... & what chemicals will be good for this?
Cheers Jim

[James Jacob]

[Kev Martin]

There is a lot going on with that floor.  There are several issues which from the photos looks to be Efflorescence, both active and old stuff, paint, wax, and general soiling to mention just a few. Call me in my office tomorrow and I will try and talk you through it.

Kev
0121773 2450
07770598855 mobile

[James Jacob]

Wow thanks Kevin will do That way i can let the builder know if its something i want to get involved in or not lol

[B Bailey]

From experience, builders won't pay to have the job done properly on pub refurbs.
Plus they won't give the adequate time to do the clean and seal.
Best of luck with it.

[James Jacob]

[maxcampbell]

Kev will talk you through it but 3 thoughts

1 This is going to take a while! Looks like at least a full day for 2 people to clean / strip then another day to re-seal (maybe more - can't assess what area there is in total). Even after a few years experience we often underestimate the time necessary.

2 This is going to cost a lot in materials - especially sealer. We would charge about £3 per square foot to strip & re-seal a floor like that.

3 DO A TEST PATCH. Not only do you learn how best to deal with it, the customer's expectations are managed, and as long as you match the test patch with the rest of the job they can't grumble. This in itself will require 2 visits a few days apart.

Also I don't think Kev likes Monster Brushes, but we'd certainly do one test patch with one (somewhere unobtrusive).

[Kev Martin]

Also I don't think Kev likes Monster Brushes, but we'd certainly do one test patch with one (somewhere unobtrusive).


Max

Nothing wrong with monster brushes we do our own version of them.  What I didn't like was the fact that the retailer of them said:

"They are the BEST solution for all floors"

Which was wrong because often there are many different solutions as Tadgh often points out.  The methods I post are my own preferred tried and tested solutions not necessarily the only method.  Also as you have quite rightly pointed out the best way is by doing a test area in all cases because this is what determines the best solution.

Kev

[maxcampbell]

Fairy nuff.

[maxcampbell]

Jarred - keep this promotional crap off here please, it's b******s.

It's not dose, it's does. Dose is for medicine.

If you like to be open, be open, describe the pricing structure. Low cost probably reflects low pricing. f*** off.

[Barry W]

For a first job either run or get someone with the experience to do it with you and learn the things that can go wrong.
I would be surprised if there is a DPM which can cause it's own problems, the drying time could be a lot longer that people imagine.

[James Jacob]

Hi Everyone... Thanks for all your replies
& Thanks Kev for taking the time out to advise me by phone
I left the builder messages, however he never got back to me
To be honest though i am somewhat relieved as i don't really want my first job with absolutely no experience to be a "Listed Building"...
All this has done really is to bring to my attention that i need training in this area & after to invest in the right kit... so its all good really
The Job is in Alfriston East sussex & the pub is called the Star i think the owners name is John the complete refurb will be going on for another week... i personally wont be having any more involvement with it

[SM101]

Hi James
If you want to do a training course on Hard Floor cleaning and this includes solutions also  Give me a call on Tel:01274 597333 (Chemspec) and I  may be able to help, but this particular job may be too big for your 1st attempt.

[James Jacob]

My plan is to come up north to newcastle between 9th & 14th of Febuary
12th & 13th i will be busy but the days around it at that time would be ideal to fit a course in....
So i will search what is available... my plan will be to attend 2-3 different courses in the near future
Just wish they were not quite so dear though... as im only very small newly starting... so funds a bit limited atm