[Steve Chapman]

I know this isn't carpet cleaning,  but do any of you cc do tile & grout cleaning as well, is profitable to get into ?

I'm just wondering what extra tools are needed to do a professional job as we are thinking about adding this service and getting a bit more mileage out of the t/m.

Any info on chems and methods would be appreciated,,


cheers
steve

[francis]

Steve

The Hydro Force SX12 (floor tool) & SX7 (counter top or wall tool) are the ideal to use with your tm. Believe that Alltec sell them in this country, but sure others do as well.
In terms of chemicals you will find that these tools in many cases will clean with just the force of water but most normal hard floor chems available will help.  Which ones? It really depends on what the surface is. Marble being different to sandstone being differeent to terrazzo , the list goes on

[carpetguy]

Alltec have a reatively new machine, for just this type of work, as do Ninja ( in america only ) they both produce around 1200 psi

[Ian Gourlay]

At Alltecs open day I asked if you could do it withthe advantage.

The answer was NO but Steve Saunders suggested it could be done in conjuction with a preasure washer and the tools mentioned above.

Do not know howyou calculate PSI of preasure  washer

[jewell]

hi Carpet doctor ive got a woodbridge machine aswell.I use the sx 12 and hand tool .Dont get the round hand tool cant get into the corners with it.REALLY easy to use you can get them both off of woodbridge.And were the cheapest around.And with dave ingram there im sure hell show or explain how to use them.I hope this helps

     steve

[Steve Chapman]

Cheers,

i didn't realize woodbridge were doing the tools, thats good to know and probably good on price too

think i will sus it out when i go up for a service.


regards
steve

[cleanchoice]

www.klindex.it have the lot

J

[ianharper]

Steve

why spend loads of money on equipment before you know if you have a market?

A scrubber, hard floor wand and some hand brushes, and a good chem like VIPER VENOM would be better starting point.

hard floor have been scrubbed for years with these tools in commercial business, kitchens etc.

respect

Ian Harper

[ianharper]

[Steve Chapman]

Ian,

i have already done some tile cleaning in the past and have a hard floor wand, and while it is good i cant imagine it doing a good job over a larger area.

i was thinking of getting into large shopping centres and the like and would need a tool that made the whole thing easier.

There must be a market for this in most areas, what with all the focus on hard floors of late!

i was thinking if i was to go and do a demonstration at a site, i want to look the biz, and if the tool is going to cost £300 - £400, its not that a big investment if you already have the t/m to do the donkey work, plus you getting some extra value out of the machine.

I should imagine cleaning tiles is whole load safer than cleaning carpets, with a lot less to go wrong.

regards

steve

ps nice leaflet,  is  it one you produced or someone elses?

[ianharper]

Steve

first the leaflet is from a guy in the USA.

I run and worked in cleaning gangs and like most cleaning its result and cost based how you get there is your business.

i have cleaned supermarkets with a numatic wet pick up and standard speed scrubber.

you have to work on on each job the mix of machine, product, time, and man power to get the result that is ask for. in most cases the standard is set by the amount of times that its done each year. so long periods might mean better products that will last longer.

using your TM will work and help with sq ft per hour, less emptying and filling. but remember that the golden rule is the longer you work you will get tired and quality and production will go down. for example i could work my staff all day cleaning houses but limit it to four hours as this the point that they will peak.

you need to get and read two books

"floors maintenance materials, their choice and uses" by JKP Edwards
"floors and their maintenance" JKP Edwards

both by cresta publishing

http://www.cresta-books.co.uk/index.html

BTW the not "look the biz" is wrong! its sounding that you know what you are doing. first comes knowledge and then the experience and from experience comes wisdom.

respect

Ian harper

[Steve Chapman]

Cheers ian,

some good points and extra reading material is always welcome!

I know what your saying about "looking the biz",  but sometimes it gives you the boost of confidence to go in and get the job when you know you have all the right tools and it looks right to the customer.

I've learnt this since having the t/m that when the customer sees you pull up in a decent van with all the gear on board, they've already decided you can do a decent job and just leave you too it!"

That speaks volumes with out you even opening your mouth! 


regards
steve