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Starting up in the Prairies |
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RedStar204 
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Joined: 09/November/2008 Location: Winnipeg Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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 Topic: Starting up in the PrairiesPosted: 09/November/2008 at 9:30pm |
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Hello,
I am just about to start my own carpet cleaning business. I have very litlle experience in this particular type of industry but do have plenty of enterprenurial spirit and management experience.
My plan is to supplement my full time job with part time cleaning business and focus on the residental market in the area I live (just outside Winnipeg) and try to secure some commerical accounts with restaurants and bars in Winnipeg(got some friends in right places).
What I want to do is provide exceptional carpet clening service, tile and grout and posibly vehicles and upholstery.
Equipment I got my eyes on is as follows:
Rotovac 360 (with carpet and tile heads)
Either Esteam Ninja 150 PSI-w/o heater or Cobra-H 100PSI w/heater
Is this a good package in your opinion?
I am planing to go for fresh water extraction and chemical prespray.
Please let me know if there is anything here that you think is way off or that I am nuts based on what you read so far.
Some of the questions that I am strugling with are as follows:
Will Rotovac 360 coupled with either Ninja or Cobra do good job on tiles?
If not, can I use high presure washer in above system for that added jet action? If yes, how would I hook it up?
Cheers,
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Red Star - Comming soon
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Ed Valentine
Carpet Cleaning Specialist 
Joined: 14/September/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 770 |
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Posted: 10/November/2008 at 8:33am |
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Red;
In my opinion, I believe that you should seriously consider going with a high-performance PORTABLE. There are a few out there and they are not that expensive.
I think you'll be most grateful that you did because if you are going to "compete" in this day and age, you'll need much greater performance, period.
Just my experience.
The very best;
Ed Valentine
cross-american corp.
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duckcountry
Master Carpet Cleaner 
Joined: 29/October/2005 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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Posted: 10/November/2008 at 2:23pm |
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I agree with Ed entirely. That is too low of a performance level for any portable.
Check out the ones at http://cross-american.com/ Get just the Rotovac with heads from Rotovac. Their bundle packages leave much to be desired. |
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Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity?
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RedStar204
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Joined: 09/November/2008 Location: Winnipeg Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: 10/November/2008 at 2:50pm |
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OK. In talking to some folks out there that are involved in the floor cleaning, i was told that brushes on Rotovac 360 substitute need for higher PSI. On the other hand, this forum is pretty clear that PSI do matter and is the 'only way'.
I am sort of a simple guy and like to consider basics before creating assumptions. Here are some thoughts that come to my mind when thinking about tile/grout cleaning.
In other floor cleaning machins out there, when water is the only mean of mechanical agitation, I can see why PSIs are importaint. In the case of the 360, if chemicals do the breakdown, brushes provide agitation and vacuum removes dirt and chemicals (with water), why is so critical to get high PSIs?
Also, isn't there a danger of damaging grout with high PSIs? What happens when damage is made to grout? Who is supposed to cover customer's cost?
I appreciate your responses, and am looking forward to some blunt and sincere feedback.
Thanks,
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Red Star - Comming soon
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duckcountry
Master Carpet Cleaner
Joined: 29/October/2005 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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Posted: 10/November/2008 at 3:44pm |
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PSI is just part of the solution.
Rotovacs soak a carpet with lots more water than a wand puts out. You need not only at least 350 PSI, you need super vac power that those gutless units cannot provide. Check out tile & grout specific portys. They are way higher on PSI. And by brushes I take it you mean the old granny groomer which is one of the 5 steps in carpet cleaning. Let me be frank in saying this -- you need to be enrolled in an IICRC class. |
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Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity?
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prouddadx3
Groupie 
Joined: 06/November/2008 Location: Boulder Status: Offline Points: 86 |
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Posted: 11/November/2008 at 8:16am |
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The Rotovac is not very heavy for scrubbing grout and you will need a squeegee wand to extract the water. You can clean most grout with an acid cleaner but stay away from natural stone because acid will etch it. Test first. If it bubbles, stop. I think the Rotovac for carpet cleaning is awesome. I agree with taking an IICRC class for both carpets and tile. I agree very strongly.
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RedStar204
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Joined: 09/November/2008 Location: Winnipeg Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: 11/November/2008 at 2:34pm |
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I just want to say thank you all for your inputs. It is huge help having this discussion forum available and all of you responding in such short time frame. I have looked into IICRC course and have listed with local company that occasionally gets courses set up here. Are there any good books, or web sites that I can refer to in the mean time?
Thanks again,
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Red Star - Comming soon
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prouddadx3
Groupie
Joined: 06/November/2008 Location: Boulder Status: Offline Points: 86 |
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Posted: 11/November/2008 at 10:22pm |
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If you contact your local vendor for carpet cleaning chemicals that also has classes, they should have leftover books from the last IICRC course or they might have one for an upcoming course. If you still can't find one contact me and I'll get you one from Master Blend.
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John L
Carpet Cleaning Guru 
Joined: 29/November/2004 Location: I'm Right Here! Status: Offline Points: 4013 |
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Posted: 20/November/2008 at 8:49pm |
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Weber has some good training manuals for carpet/upholstery/Oriental rugs/Drapery..
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