Newbie
Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Introduce yourself
Forum Description: New around here? Come on in and say HI!
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=515
Printed Date: 22/November/2024 at 10:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Newbie
Posted By: Suction
Subject: Newbie
Date Posted: 06/August/2004 at 7:34pm
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I'm just starting out and any free information you could give me would be appreciated.... I'm using a portable machine right now, and using chemspec products. I'm cleaning the cheap end of the specturm, the 50 dollar call. I want to step up, but I need to take the right steps. If you can help me feel free to post here |
Replies:
Posted By: surroundings
Date Posted: 09/August/2004 at 5:00am
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Congratulations on starting up a new venture. Lessee... free info, eh? Take the carpet cleaning courses. Track your advertising. Treat your customers like gold. Don't take shortcuts. Measure your chemical properly. Get a good vacuum cleaner. Change the filter or clean the trap often. Rinse your portable after every job. Be on time. Keep your wand looking nice. Keep your van clean. Ensure that you don't overwet the carpets. Raise your rates. Take the carpet cleaning courses. Smile when you answer the phone, and state your & your company name clearly. Keep your promises. Look clean and presentable. Never talk down other companies. Write down your questions as you think of them for later research. & take some carpet cleaning courses. -Allen |
Posted By: Suction
Date Posted: 09/August/2004 at 11:02am
| CC courses I guess are a good thing as per Allen... Thanks |
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 09/August/2004 at 12:59pm
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Not only is this info for a Newbie but many who have been in it for years should heed to it. This is great info. Thanks for the post Allen. P.S. When I first started my carpet cleaning business I offered lots of free single room cleaning. This worked for me. Probably means 12 & 18 hour days. ------------- Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies |
Posted By: Suction
Date Posted: 09/August/2004 at 10:45pm
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Telemarking... wow naw I just a small fry... Free rooms I don't think I could stomach that... A portable is a hard thing to get set up and set down |
Posted By: surroundings
Date Posted: 10/August/2004 at 2:01am
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Thank you, Carpetologist. Suction: after being in business for 6 months, I have the set-up / tear-down of the portable to a fine art, but my best time is still 20 min set-up, and 15 for tear-down. It was a vacant place, so no need to chit chat with the customer. Everything is put into my van in order so that the following procedure is simple, and orderful (is that a word?). My set-up procedure: Walk in with vacuum & scope out possible site for portable (laundry rooms are good, garages or carports, the porch outside of a kitchen, the kitchen itself) and figure out where the waste water will be going. Here in South Australia, we can put it on a garden bed, but not out into the street. You can also empty into a toilet / bath, but be prepared to then clean up your mess. Check your own local laws. Bring in portable, and fresh water hose. set up in laundry, venting towards open exterior door. Hook up hot water (get a ring with various tap fittings, keep a spanner in your back pocket, and get some extra washers just in case theirs are thrashed... I have auto-fill & auto dump. Very handy!) Place white spotting towel over tap connection just in case it slips off. Bring in vac hose & solution hose and corner protectors. Bring in auto-dump hose, carpet rake and pump-up sprayer (with pre-mixed neutral pre-spray and a dash of Citrus-Solv) Bring in RX-20 (or wand) and in-line heater. Never rest the wand against a wall. It will slide sometime, scratching the wall or cracking a tile. Place it instead along a wall. Attatch auto-dump hose first, then hook up in-line heater & solution & vac hose to RX or wand. Here, I also place velcro straps around the first metre and a half of solution hose, vac hose, and RX-20 powercord coming off the RX (wand) side. It makes it easier to kick out of your way & handle. Plug in equipment, ensuring that the in-line heater is OFF until water is passing through it. Turn on hot water... set up is now complete. Vacuum while it fills, then prespray, agitate, & clean... I start at the WORST room first when possible. Tear down is pretty much in reverse order so that the van is packed as logically as space will allow. Have fun! -Allen |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 10/August/2004 at 9:17pm
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WOW WOW WOW |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 10/August/2004 at 10:07pm
Allen: I am ready for a break and I haven't started to clean yet. I guess I just haven't setup a portable lately. Just my upholstery machine an ultimate, I also have a kleenrite machine but I can't remember going through all that to set one of them up. ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: surroundings
Date Posted: 10/August/2004 at 11:54pm
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Well, I could keep it in the van with all the hoses connected, get a booster box, and PRETEND to have a truckmount.... I know many who do this. I am uncomfortable with the amount of suction even with a booster, and bringing it in with all the hoses on is cumbersome. If I can reach everything with one length of hose from where the van's parked, then fine, it stays in. Udderwise, I gots a portable, doesn't I? It wants to be set up before it'll do much work. Besides the need for better suction & heat, a truckmount will save me time on set up / tear down. I won't be afraid of blowing a fuse on an old building, and I'll be able to work on sites that don't have power. There's other reasons, I'm sure. I'll keep the portable, but I am looking forward to the day I can get a TM. One day.... -Allen |
Posted By: OCC Boss
Date Posted: 12/September/2004 at 5:52pm
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10 Minutes set up and tear down with a truckmount ------------- H8 DIRT |