|
Post by clearshine on Apr 13, 2010 23:18:16 GMT -5
I do a little of both
Scrape off all visible glue Scrub with a mild solution of stripper and a black or brown pad RINSE RINSE RINSE Make sure that the floor has had ample amount of time to set usually 24 to 48 hours, even more depending on the contractor that installed the floor, always try to talk to the contractor in front of the customer to make sure there is no blame or finger pointing later. If you really rinse the floor you will get the best results, BUT IF YOU GET A NEW VCT FLOOR TO WET TO SOON IT WILL LIFT AND BUBBLE THE TILE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I put any where between 4 to 12 coats on a new floor
You have to take into consideration there daily care plan and how often they want it maintained.
If they want it maintained by you, lower your inictial price but charge for maintenance.
I usually charge any were between .45 to$1.00 per sq ft depending on glue and construction (wear)
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Apr 13, 2010 22:47:16 GMT -5
NOT BAD BUT NOT GREAT
If you only have a few jobs per year do it buy it and have fun with it.
If you plan on doing several jobs per year, plan on buying several machines per year.
I don't own a full time business doing floors but I have been able to keep busy doing work word of mouth with customers that are a little lax.
In 3 Years I have bout 3 swing machines:
#1 Unidentified Make and manufacture unknown. It looks aluminum with a yellow bumper pad, and it uses a 20'' scrubbing pad. All tags and stickers gone and has about 45 pounds of wax on it right now. Bought used off of a friend of a friend for $55.00>>>> It is my number one backup machine.
#2 Bought off of a web sight 2 years ago to replace my crapy looking one, I upgraided from th 17'' to the 20'' for an extra 49.59. It broce and sounded like it was going to explode on my second jobe after buying it>>> only about ruffly 1,500 sq ft of usage. I paid a total of 679.00 for it and no worinty. CRAP
#3 I went into WAXIE and spoke with a sales rep. for walk-ins. I ended up with a floor model dual speed for $800.00. I have put it to use and it has paid for itself nine times over, and I still have a friend run my $55.00 POS when I need to
IF you buy good equipment you get good results.
As far as saying what to look for:
Its got to be heavy Big BRIGHT cord Gear drive with reduction is a plus And a good name has never hert
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Apr 13, 2010 21:46:01 GMT -5
I am still debating on whether or not to start a custodial company that specializes in floor care.
Number one set back is: Janitorial/custodial is one of the easiest business for anyone out there to start. NOT! my words, but look it up on google.
If it is ranked as one of the easiest start up businesses how can any GOOD cleaning company get started!
Most people that start a business are in it for the easy money, Any one that has done custodial work knows there is no easy work in this field.
However my question is: Is it worth the time and effort to try and start a GOOD business in this field?
My major concern: Is there a major proportion of people out there that are starting Janitorial/Custodial businesses sole on the belief that it is the easiest form of business ownership?
And if so how do you get good business from a failing market, and what is the best form of advertisement to warn potential clients from going with the wrong business with out breaking any sort of law>>>> Slander to be specific.
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Mar 11, 2009 15:58:53 GMT -5
man power (elbow grease) use a neutral PH cleaner. If it is bad try a slightly heaver floor cleaner.Check with your supplier. Worst case scenario try a carpet bonnet on on a low speed swing machine. [Use a wool or Cotton nap None scrubbing or a non-abrasive pad] with a neutral PH cleaner. After damp mop a few times with clean clear water. Be careful with floating floors as you do not truly know the thickens of the floor its self. Also remember that all of the new laminate inter-locking floors only recommend damp moping. If there is any damage done to them they can not be repaired only covered up. ;DLaminate floating floor. 8-)Its cheap now but what will you do in 6 months!
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Mar 11, 2009 13:15:48 GMT -5
wow!!!!!
$99.00 for 5 rooms, what machine are you using?
In souther California the average is 2 bed rooms ( One Master and one guest room/ childes room ) plus hall way for 99.00.
Total square footage not to exceed 450 sq ft
Maybe I need to get into the carpet cleaning business .
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Mar 9, 2009 18:04:31 GMT -5
thank you for the quick reply.
Some how I think I am having a little bit of a problem do to the fact I already put into effect a set price and they are not happy with the molding. I am currently using a spray striper called Jack Hammer from Butchers and it just cant get all of it off.
So I contacted my supplier and they sent out the most powerful stripper the sell. WOW!! THIS STUFF WILL TAKE THE HAIR OFF YOUR ARMS. Its called Bombers from Waxie. It actually started eating threw the molding and made it turn into a glue like substance.
Any more Ideas are greatly appreciated.
I just need to close this job out and I can renegotiate maintenance job and make up money lost in man hours.. Hopefully
Thank you again.
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Mar 9, 2009 17:38:03 GMT -5
::)SPEED,SPEED,AND MORE SPEED. This was the way my fellow employees that where training me to do extended floor maintenance trained me to do floors. I never knew someone could throw a low speed swing around so fast. Slurry half way up the wall and absolutely nothing done to improve the floor. But hay as long as its shiny its good right. Slow it down and do a good job. With practice you will eventually speed up and still do an exceptional job, Don't forget most of your work will come from word of mouth. Not only good work, but also bad work. As far as a 2 day training class, That is up to you. I have found most of them are product sails pitches, but you do learn a few things. It could never hurt unless you spend a lot of money on them. One of the most interesting things I learned about the training class I went to was the fact over 89% of the people thought they where stripping a floor when in fact they where causing more damage to the shine and look do to chemically applying a stripper and not fully rinsing it. That said classes are a good idea as long as its not a product pitch and you are willing to learn and be the best you possibly can!!! WE ALL LOVE A LITTLE COMPATITION.. It keeps us honest. Good luck and have fun in life.
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Mar 9, 2009 16:45:18 GMT -5
concrete is one of the strongest materials to do flooring in and is becoming more and more popular. The problem with concrete is people try to treat it like VCT tile. This is the Major problem. Their are many aspects to concrete that are not in regular flooring. 1. Is the aggregate ( Little rocks in the concrete ) visible. 2. Is the concrete died ( dry powder over the top liquid over the top or powder put into the mix.) 3. What equipment can you have available for you. typically concrete wont have much lippage if poured correctly but it is possible, for this problem you will need a big floor grinder and lot of practice on how to blend and make things look as uniformed as possible. If there is not a lot of lippage you cane get away with a low speed machine with Stone Tech disks that are diamond impregnated. AS far as not getting the shine you want I think it is because the concrete its self is dull looking. Polish the concrete and keep it up. You should not put any finish ( wax ) on top of concrete as it wears off to fast. The only protect ant to concrete I use is a deep penetrating sealer. This does nothing for the shine, That is what polishing is for. But what it does is keep liquid from soaking into the porous concrete. Practice, Practice, Practice this will make perfect and concrete is the way allot of high end Churches,Office Buildings And grand foyer in high end homes are going. In todays market any thing you can do to improve some ones home or business is a major +. Things to look into: Stone Tech products. Twister Pads. I like the 3M aqua pad, and the white supper polish pad. Good luck And remember life is a learning experience, so learn all that you can.. ;D
|
|
|
Post by clearshine on Mar 9, 2009 15:44:21 GMT -5
I have currently taken over a job with out realizing the problem I got my self into.
1. There was 6 years of floor finish that they just kept adding finish to. This meant taking a 3 1/2 inch floor scraper over the enter 1,125 sq'.
2. It is a high traffic area that they want minimal maintenance to.
3. It appears that every time they refinished the floor they applyed finish to the vinal base molding. No problum right? Wrong now the base molding looks like a glazed dounut.
I realy dont whant to spend $600+ on a base molding cleaner that is just a glorified wead waker.
Hear is the question. I have a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder that runs at 11,000 RPM. I know 3M sells hook and loop resurface disks. Has any one used this to clean base molding and what is the best disk to use?
Or should I just cut a floor pad ( Super Buff?) to 4 1/2 inch?
Thank you for you'r help
|
|