Combining the benefits of a CRB or am I hoping for too much?

[Barry-QDCC]

It digs hair and sand and grit out 100% times better than a 175/w shampoo brush.
It scrubs rough or uneven stone and tile WITH OUT SPLASHING
It scrubs staircases
It can be picked up by the scrawniest of techs with one hand

I'm getting my CRB from the group buy this week so this is a question I have for those who already use a CRB - - - usually I see as a listed benefit of the CRB as Mikey said above "digs hair and sand and grit out" and then another benefit separately listed is "to agitate your pre-spray/cleaner into the carpet".

If I vacuum, then prepray, THEN use the CRB to agitate, will I get both benefits together as it agitates AND digs the grit out OR does adding the moisture tend to ruin the digging out action? Or perhaps just not as much "digging" because of the moisture?

 

[dgardner]

I think everyone pretty much uses the CRB wet, to agitate prespray (or straight encapping). In my case (Prochem Procaps) I find that when I use it thus it digs out stuff even after I have vacuumed.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

What is the group buy deal?

 

[Zee]

What is the group buy deal?

http://mikeysboard.com/forum/index.php?threads/10-brush-encap-group-buy.280292/

 

[Kellie Hiler]

Thank you, I did find it right after I went back to the library...lol. Still learning my way around here.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I'm getting my CRB from the group buy this week so this is a question I have for those who already use a CRB - - - usually I see as a listed benefit of the CRB as Mikey said above "digs hair and sand and grit out" and then another benefit separately listed is "to agitate your pre-spray/cleaner into the carpet".

If I vacuum, then prepray, THEN use the CRB to agitate, will I get both benefits together as it agitates AND digs the grit out OR does adding the moisture tend to ruin the digging out action? Or perhaps just not as much "digging" because of the moisture?

You want to to pre vac then prespray and agitate because the point of agitation is to really get that prespray down in there and worked through the fibers before you extract/rinse. That's just my opinion.

 

[Barry-QDCC]

You want to to pre vac then prespray and agitate because the point of agitation is to really get that prespray down in there and worked through the fibers before you extract/rinse. That's just my opinion.

Totally agree. Maybe I didn't ask my question correctly. If I don't use my CRB until AFTER I pre-Spray will I still get the benefit of the "digging out grit/dirt/hair" even though the carpet is wet.

 

[dgardner]

Yes!

 

[Kellie Hiler]

^^^^^^what he said.

 

[Nate The Great]

Does a bear shit in the woods?

I assume your not a Rotary Extractor user.... Even with a vacuum & pre scrub you still get more stuff out like sand and grit stuck to the bottom of the cleaning head...

 

[TConway]

I'm getting my CRB from the group buy this week so this is a question I have for those who already use a CRB - - - usually I see as a listed benefit of the CRB as Mikey said above "digs hair and sand and grit out" and then another benefit separately listed is "to agitate your pre-spray/cleaner into the carpet".
If I vacuum, then prepray, THEN use the CRB to agitate, will I get both benefits together as it agitates AND digs the grit out OR does adding the moisture tend to ruin the digging out action? Or perhaps just not as much "digging" because of the moisture?

I think the added moisture actually helps, the reason I say this is wet your hand and rub it across a couch or a bathroom carpet, the moisture acts like a magnet for hair and fine silt, even after vacuuming my red neck pre scrubber still pulls quit a bit of garbage out of the carpter as I scrub in the pre spray.
I don't know if it really equals a rotary but it is very close, I think it may actually pull more hair (PET and HUMAN) out of the carpet.
You also get the crb working your pre spray into the carpet fibers giving it a better chance to do its job with both extra dwell but also the fact that you are really working it into the fibers to help break things down for a much easier rinse.

 

[Able 1]

If I have a couch with pet hair I usually prespray before removing it.. Some hair is a pain either way..

 

[TConway]

A crb works in a totally different way than a 175. You may use a 175 to pre scrub your carpet prior to wanding out and they work great, but It is not the same the crb digs and lifts things to the surface, so if you are using a 175 now I think you are going to be very very happy with your crb.

 

[GreenTechAgain]

Totally agree. Maybe I didn't ask my question correctly. If I don't use my CRB until AFTER I pre-Spray will I still get the benefit of the "digging out grit/dirt/hair" even though the carpet is wet.

Every job I use my CRB to agitate my pre-spray, carpet or tile.

On a real nasty, move out, where I don't think the owner even knew what a vacuum is, I will vacuum, run the CRB dry and then vacuum again (I don't have trays).

Then you will have a lot of jobs where you vacuum, run the CRB to agitate pre-spray, extract and then have to post vac all the stuff the CRB pulled to the surface.

Still on the fence if a CRB and wand combo is better than using an RE? I'm sure there are a lot of opinions on this. Has anyone gone from one to the other?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Still on the fence if a CRB and wand combo is better than using an RE?

Go look at the Rotovac pictures in the contest and decide if a wand can do that.

If you truly believe it can at what cost to production time? An RE is in my opinion is a "Must Have" tool. You don't have to use it every job but once you own it, why wouldn't you???

CRB good prep tool but not necessary if you vacuum and then use an RE.

 

[Scott S.]

here is the question you should ask. if you vac then prespray, then crb, how are you sucking up the clumps of hair you get out of the carpet while the carpet is wet? can you suck them up in your wand, or are you going to use the bins on the crb and clean them out after every job?

Saiger would be the guy to ask because he uses his a lot for agitation of the prespray.

i found out that you can vac the carpet super thoroughly but the crb will still dig more out.
i've used mine for both before vac, and agitation, and always get more stuff out.
when i do commercial i agitate with the bins on because i always get more sand hair lint.
(using proteam xp1500)

 

[Mikey P]

The clumps go into the Renovators (Trays) when you use it as a pre scrubber

 

[TConway]

I don't think a crb is as good as a rotary, but it may be more easiy used, crbs are so stinkin easy it is dumb. They glide so easily to get the results. A rotary is just a different animal all together, The fiber seperation/aggitation with the vacuum combo helps so much to pull the debris the minute the fibers have opened up to allow the debris get sucked up.

I believe this is the same for unglided wands vs glided we all know you get more debris out of a carpet with non glided wand, I believe it is due to fact that the fibers are standing up as the un glided wand passes over the carpet giving the debris a much more free path to shoot up the wand. Glided wands tend to fold the fibers over and trap deeper debris from its path to wand slot.

It is crazy how much can hide in a carpet, I did a apartment a few weeks ago where the tenants never vaced, so I forced myself to do one of the best vacuum jobs ever (it was because of that Happy Cleaner guy) I filled 3 vacuum bags FULL it was crazy. the last bag was like lead, it was full of super fine silt and was super heavy...I dont think I would have pulled that all out with crb or rotary honestly even if I took my time. That silt would have turned into concrete and more than likely glued itself to the fibers and backing of the carpets.

I have prevaced every job sinse then.....I am a real cleaner and no I haven't prevaced every job, but that was just a huge eye opener. So for the past two weeks I have been vacuuming every one.....I added a couple cents per sf to compinsate for my time (nobody has complained so far) and I must say I am using less pre-spray, less wand time so I guess it is a win win situation.

 

[Mikey P]

What vacuum are you using Tom?

 

[Desk Jockey]

I have prevaced every job sinse then.....I am a real cleaner and no I haven't prevaced every job, but that was just a huge eye opener. So for the past two weeks I have been vacuuming every one.....I added a couple cents per sf to compinsate for my time (nobody has complained so far) and I must say I am using less pre-spray, less wand time so I guess it is a win win situation.

Even if its not noticeable, you know you are removing more soil & contaminants. The dust cup is proof you're doing a better job!

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I don't think a crb is as good as a rotary, but it may be more easiy used, crbs are so stinkin easy it is dumb. They glide so easily to get the results. A rotary is just a different animal all together, The fiber seperation/aggitation with the vacuum combo helps so much to pull the debris the minute the fibers have opened up to allow the debris get sucked up.

I believe this is the same for unglided wands vs glided we all know you get more debris out of a carpet with non glided wand, I believe it is due to fact that the fibers are standing up as the un glided wand passes over the carpet giving the debris a much more free path to shoot up the wand. Glided wands tend to fold the fibers over and trap deeper debris from its path to wand slot.

It is crazy how much can hide in a carpet, I did a apartment a few weeks ago where the tenants never vaced, so I forced myself to do one of the best vacuum jobs ever (it was because of that Happy Cleaner guy) I filled 3 vacuum bags FULL it was crazy. the last bag was like lead, it was full of super fine silt and was super heavy...I dont think I would have pulled that all out with crb or rotary honestly even if I took my time. That silt would have turned into concrete and more than likely glued itself to the fibers and backing of the carpets.

I have prevaced every job sinse then.....I am a real cleaner and no I haven't prevaced every job, but that was just a huge eye opener. So for the past two weeks I have been vacuuming every one.....I added a couple cents per sf to compinsate for my time (nobody has complained so far) and I must say I am using less pre-spray, less wand time so I guess it is a win win situation.

Lol....don't ya just love "that happy cleaner" guy! He keeps us all on our toes!

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ron is a sharp guy. Sure vacuums like a mad man!

I agree he made us focus a little harder on what could be done prior to wet cleaning.

 

[WillS]

This is from 1 living room. We always pre-spray with the CRB, brings up more than going over it dry. (Phone didn't get pulled up with the CRB, just there for example of the amount of hair removed)

 

[Captain America]

Rotary scrubber: 600$
Crb: 1700$
Rotary extracter: 2500-3500$
I have used a rotary scrubber off and on for 30 years.....
Used a rx 20 for 10 years.....
Scrubber and wand or zipper will outdo an. Rx20 every time hands down.
Cap

 

[dgardner]

You got the makings of a fine wig there...

 

[Desk Jockey]

Rx20 every time hands down.

Maybe so but that is an outdated RE compared to some of the newer units on the market.

The other piece than needs to be recognized besides price is what it delivers as an end product.

A 175 also will not deliver the same thing as a stand alone as an RE can. You'll need either additional labor or additional time. You won't need either with the RE, so initial cost can be deceiving when 175 will continue to cost you in production time or labor.

I'm not saying that you're wrong, we all clean differently.
Some of just do it right!

J/K

 

[Captain America]

Scrubber and wand will still be cheaper and clean better and about the same labor,
As you will always have to rake after an RE.
If your gonna spend 3000$ for an RE you might as well spend 2000$ for a zipper and get about the same cleaning who raking.
Cap

 

[Desk Jockey]

Scrubber and wand will still be cheaper and clean better and about the same labor,
As you will always have to rake after an RE.

I think it must have went over your head Marcus. Its not about initial cost. No it won't clean better, it will take more work to clean the same as an RE. You either need a second tech to run the 175 or one technician is doing a two step process. Not so with an RE, it combines the agitation you like from the 175 with better rinsing that a scrub wand. Best part it only takes 1-technician to accomplish what the 175 & wand can do. Cheaper initially costs you far more in the long run.

If your gonna spend 3000$ for an RE you might as well spend 2000$ for a zipper and get about the same cleaning who raking.

I suggest you own both. RE for residential & Zipper for commercial.


We always groom. It finishes the product.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

I do love the Zipper, I just got mine a few weeks ago and am very impressed with the ease of use and cleaning power not to mention how well built it is. I agree that a CRB and the Zipper is all you need!
RE does have its place as well but my Zipper is the go to tool

 

[Desk Jockey]

Zipper is a great tool. Takes a lot of the work out of cleaning vs slinging a wand.