VCT Floor "Washing"

[Gasoline]

Have you thought of using a micro fiber mop system? Sure labor intensive. But cheap in comparison to running a TM or an auto scrubber. Placing clean solution down and mopping it up, easy. From the first post, it sounds like the workers there were mopping with dirty water.

 

[Cleaning Concierge]

Have you thought of using a micro fiber mop system? Sure labor intensive. But cheap in comparison to running a TM or an auto scrubber. Placing clean solution down and mopping it up, easy. From the first post, it sounds like the workers there were mopping with dirty water.

This will work as a daily practice but a VCT floor will need periodic scrubbing to remove dirt ground in the finish. This will happened even if the janitors are diligent about changing the water.

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[aaminc]

What the previous guy said is right and burnishing is not the same thing. Autoscrubbing will get the embedded dirt out and burnishing a dirty floor will embed the dirt even more.

 

[CKOSEK]

You definitely don't want to use your spinner with water pressure by doing so you will create more problems down the road. If you end up with the account look into leasing or renting an auto scrubber for a while. That will give you some time to figure out if purchasing is a direction you want to go.

 

[David A]

What the previous guy said is right and burnishing is not the same thing. Autoscrubbing will get the embedded dirt out and burnishing a dirty floor will embed the dirt even more.

It will sure give that dirt a nice gloss!

 

[David A]

You definitely don't want to use your spinner with water pressure by doing so you will create more problems down the road. If you end up with the account look into leasing or renting an auto scrubber for a while. That will give you some time to figure out if purchasing is a direction you want to go.

The whole idea of putting these spinners and using a TM to clean/maintain VCT or VAT worries me. I could just see those tiles starting to pop

 

[Benk]

I'm wondering if an autoscrubber would even work for this. The only things they don't want moved will be the numerous tables. Without the tables being moved it would be difficult to operate a bulky autoscrubber.
If the spinner doesn't work at low pressure- no more than say 250psi then I know my gekko will work at lower pressure than that. Any embedded dirt I'll just talk to them about it and it will be their responsibilty. But if this goes thru I can see it turning into a potential headache unless they're willing to deep scrub and add finish.

 

[aaminc]

Ok you have broken my will to fight, the spinner and gettco should work good

 

[David A]

I'm wondering if an autoscrubber would even work for this. The only things they don't want moved will be the numerous tables. Without the tables being moved it would be difficult to operate a bulky autoscrubber.
If the spinner doesn't work at low pressure- no more than say 250psi then I know my gekko will work at lower pressure than that. Any embedded dirt I'll just talk to them about it and it will be their responsibilty. But if this goes thru I can see it turning into a potential headache unless they're willing to deep scrub and add finish.

Wes, with all due respect, you need to forget about treating VCT as if it were ceramic or stone. It's a whole different animal. In my opinion, you need two or three people on this job. The furniture could be leap-frogged. Though a pain, it will go fairly quickly once the crew gets the hang of it and learn the building. The job will go a lot faster with two moving the furniture and one running the machine. A 17 or 20" is not all that bulky and very maneuverable. You should really try to up-sale the client and explain the right way to do the job. If they still just want a damp-mop, give them just that. This is a day care center with kids playing on the floor and putting their hands in their mouths. Therefore floor really needs to be clean. The other option, though a lot more time consuming, is to get a side-by-side (perhaps a 17" would work best here) with a tank. You scrub with a green pad and minimal water (neutral disinfectant would be suitable for this location) and come behind with a wet vac and damp-mop (rinse). If your machine guy is able to do the job dry enough, you might even get away with just the damp-mop.

 

[Benk]

David, you guys are all correct in using an autoscrubber. If/when I get the job I'll make sure their crew coordinates with me to do a better job on that floor. If they're not willing then I don't want their headache to fall on me. If they're willing to deep scrub and add finish between strips we can keep that floor looking great. I definitely would need to make sure we get results before I even think about investing in a piece of equipment that would only get used on this one job. I can see it now, I purchase this thing and within a few weeks they're not happy and decide not to use me. Might even ask to sign a contract before buying anything.

 

[King Cobra]

Might even ask to sign a contract before buying anything.

Somebody already suggested you that

 

[Benk]

You're correct KC, gasoline mentioned it earlier. He also mentioned the micro fiber mop method- all great advice. So if their crew is willing to do some deep scrub/add finish when needed, we can make some improvement together. After they can see results, then they'd consider a contract.

 

[aaminc]

It's really none of my business but if there crew performs all the scrub and redcoats and strip and waxes what do they need you for? I'm not being a smart [email protected]? But I bet they want you to do those and they just do daily maintenance.

 

[Benk]

Talking with both the Maint. Director and then the Housekeeping Supervisor they just want me to come in every other week and wash the floor as they're having a problem with the floor looking dirty after they mop and it dries. They're not looking for any waxing etc. After inspecting the floor on Wed. I can see that what they're doing is stripping the floor every 6 months and just trying to mop the floor in between. The floor doesn't look good at all.

So I then had a conversation with the director the next day and told him that I can rinse/extract the floor and not leave any dirty water on there but this floor needs much more than that. If they're willing to deep scrub and add a coat of finish every 2-3 months, together we will get that floor looking much better.
I bid the job at .05 and if I get it make sure it doesn't come back on me if they're not willing to deep scrub. Just like you mentioned I'm trying to make it clear to them that this needs to be a team effort. Washing alone will not improve much.

 

[aaminc]

Now I am not saying this is the case but sometimes wax can have a haze if at any point it has been exposed to freezing temp. Whether it be in transport or on truck.

That aside if I were you I would use my 175 and a new red pad and a clean mop and neutral cleaner and see what you get. I know a lot of guys will say a green pad but I would start with a red if you are not reoating.7000 sq feet shouldn't take all that long.If you want to recover solution with your Truckmount that would look professional and work for you.

 

[Benk]

That's exactly what I plan on doing. Lay down some neutral cleaner, work it in with my 175 and rinse/extract with spinner w/ brush attachment. If the spinner doesn't work I know that the gekko will do the job. I'll look at the red pads, thanks for the info.

Might even look that the micro fiber method like previously mentioned.

 

[Cleaning Concierge]

Check with an equipment repair shop to rent an autoscrubber for the first few months. Then if they like your work and sign a contract..buy the equipment

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[crash1big]

I don't have an auto scrubber, wish I did. As far as minimal pressure for the spinner I'll play around with it and make sure. If it won't work with lower pressure I've also got a gekko wand that will work but would rather use the spinner.

What would you guys charge for this bi-weekly job?

Rent the auto scrubber. You can knock it down in a couple of hours. If it is bi weekly; you might be able to make a deal with the rental company.

 

[FloorCareMD]

Now I am not saying this is the case but sometimes wax can have a haze if at any point it has been exposed to freezing temp. Whether it be in transport or on truck.

That aside if I were you I would use my 175 and a new red pad and a clean mop and neutral cleaner and see what you get. I know a lot of guys will say a green pad but I would start with a red if you are not reoating.7000 sq feet shouldn't take all that long.If you want to recover solution with your Truckmount that would look professional and work for you.

Who would say a green pad if you are not going to apply new finish coats? I agree with the red pad for cleaning. The floor probably just looks dirty and hazed after mopping because of...

1. too much cleaner (soap)
2. the wrong cleaner
3. hot water
4. over wetting the floor (no muscle in the wringing )
5. dirty mop head
6. not changing water

you are over-thinking this with thoughts of using truckmount etc. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid)
Get a new mop, a good neutral cleaner and offer to do it once and see what happens. If it does not satisfy, use/get/rent an autoscrubber.
Hope it works out.

 

[David A]

David, you guys are all correct in using an autoscrubber. If/when I get the job I'll make sure their crew coordinates with me to do a better job on that floor. If they're not willing then I don't want their headache to fall on me. If they're willing to deep scrub and add finish between strips we can keep that floor looking great. I definitely would need to make sure we get results before I even think about investing in a piece of equipment that would only get used on this one job. I can see it now, I purchase this thing and within a few weeks they're not happy and decide not to use me. Might even ask to sign a contract before buying anything.

It wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened.