Commercial Janitor problems!

[bradman122]

Any commercial cleaners have issues with janitorial services either not vacuuming or not using a beater bar vacuum? We clean only commercial carpets and use VLM encapsulation. They just do not vacuum. I mean they use a backpack just to pick up large debris. So I guess I am just wondering if anyone else has this issue?

 

[Desk Jockey]

You could always get a wide area vacuum to mow right through your facilities. We have several Advanced 28 inch vacuums that make quick work of vacuuming.

Charge a penny more per sq/ft and it will pay for itself.

Nilfisk United States | Nilfisk Official Website

A world leader in professional cleaning solutions & services, with a large portfolio of commercial vacuums, industrial vacuums, floor cleaning machines, and pressure washers.

www.advance-us.com

 

[bradman122]

I would love one of those. But a little to far out of my budget. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Kenny Hayes]

So, what makes you #think they’re not vacuuming? Your vacuum overloading? I know it’s not #dirt going into the cimex
I guess I’m wondering how that effects you?

 

[Desk Jockey]

I would love one of those. But a little to far out of my budget. Thanks for the suggestion

Here is a nice used one.

Advance CarpeTriever 28 Wide area Vacuum | eBay

Find great deals for Advance CarpeTriever 28 Wide area Vacuum. Shop with confidence on eBay!

www.ebay.com

 

[bradman122]

When we vacuum. We fill up the canister within 25 feet. And when I am doing the job, I only see them using a backpack.

So, what makes you #think they’re not vacuuming? Your vacuum overloading? I know it’s not #dirt going into the cimex
I guess I’m wondering how that effects you?

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You need a bigger vacuum Not only do they use a backpack which there’s nothing wrong with, but they’re probably told to vac the traffic areas 4 days per week, and full vacuum 1 time a week

 

[Cleanworks]

I see that problem all the time. I do a lot of strata condo buildings. Their cleaning crews always do a piss poor job of vacuuming. Often I see them with a back pack with a flat floor tool, which does absolutely nothing on carpet. I have been contemplating opening a company doing vacuuming only. Go in with a good back pack with extension tubes and do all the high and low dusting, crevices etc. Then use a professional upright to vacuum the hallways. Hire someone with a little car, train and equip them well and off you go. I think there could be a market for it to supplement the regular efforts.

 

[Hack Attack]

Most cleaning crews are on a tight schedule and dont vacuum wall to wall

They "detail vacuum" which is a fancy way of saying they walk through an area vacuuming what can be seen on the surface and walk over large areas without vacuuming

 

[Desk Jockey]

lol

 

[Jimmy L]

Encapsulation is a FRAUD anyway.

The initial prevacuuming is the primary cleaning .

$40-$50 a gallon FRAUD

 

[Kenny Hayes]

 

[steve_64]

I would politely tell the person who hired you that it should be cleaned more often do to the severe soiling you are seeing.
They might have you do it more often or they might talk to the cleaning crew about it. They might just blow you off and ignore it which is the most likely since they let it get so dirty anyway.

Or just raise your price.

 

[icleancarpetz]

I would love one of those. But a little to far out of my budget. Thanks for the suggestion

Go get a 28" like the Jockey said. It distinguishes you from the janitor that just might take your carpet cleaning account once they figure out they can do the floors for much less, then they will approach the facility manager as a "one stop shop do it all" for less.
Its competitive out here...think before you continue tightening the butt cheeks.

So you would rather lose an account then to spend a little to keep it? makes sense to me.

 

[icleancarpetz]

Encapsulation is a FRAUD anyway.

The initial prevacuuming is the primary cleaning .

$40-$50 a gallon FRAUD

there are alternatives for $12 a gallon. you can laugh even harder on your way to the bank and back.

 

[icleancarpetz]

I see that problem all the time. I do a lot of strata condo buildings. Their cleaning crews always do a piss poor job of vacuuming. Often I see them with a back pack with a flat floor tool, which does absolutely nothing on carpet. I have been contemplating opening a company doing vacuuming only. Go in with a good back pack with extension tubes and do all the high and low dusting, crevices etc. Then use a professional upright to vacuum the hallways. Hire someone with a little car, train and equip them well and off you go. I think there could be a market for it to supplement the regular efforts.

I highly doubt facility budget will allow just for vacuuming. I could be wrong. The person you hire just to vacuum will grab your idea and run with it.

 

[Nomad74]

Take the word of this young chap.

 

[Jimmy L]

Chemspec formula 90 can be used at 2 oz per 5 gallons of water.
On the label it says it dries into crystals that can be vacuumed .

Use it for bonnet/OP

Better formulation vs compatible chems that won't interfere with encap polymers.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Chemspec formula 90 can be used at 2 oz per 5 gallons of water.
On the label it says it dries into crystals that can be vacuumed .

Use it for bonnet/OP

Better formulation vs compatible chems that won't interfere with encap polymers.

Jimmy do you remember what product they use to use in Chemstractors?

 

[Wing It]

I very rarely see janitorial companies using vacuums with beater bars. Its hard for me to get on to them when they are asked to do so much for so little. I think Richard's idea to purchase a large vacuum and add it as an option is a great idea. If you cover that much sf it will pay for itself not to mention the time you would save not having to deal with all the hair and debris.

 

[Jimmy L]

It takes far too much time to use any kind of upright vacuum.

Time is money.

Even in school systems they use back pack vacs.

Appearance only cleaning getting only visible chunks or debris.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Go get a 28" like the Jockey said. It distinguishes you from the janitor that just might take your carpet cleaning account once they figure out they can do the floors for much less, then they will approach the facility manager as a "one stop shop do it all" for less.
Its competitive out here...think before you continue tightening the butt cheeks.

So you would rather lose an account then to spend a little to keep it? makes sense to me.

It’s too late, I already have the carpet cleaning account , and floors, and power washing, and windows, and, and.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I very rarely see janitorial companies using vacuums with beater bars. Its hard for me to get on to them when they are asked to do so much for so little. I think Richard's idea to purchase a large vacuum and add it as an option is a great idea. If you cover that much sf it will pay for itself not to mention the time you would save not having to deal with all the hair and debris.

I know, it’s Awful how little we make One of the days I’m gonna figure it out and do something different

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Seriously, 30 yrs ago when I landed my #1 account, they had a small fleet of those Advance and Clarke vacuums. They told me then, I could have them, they didn’t plan to Ever go back. I still have some, and they never went back.

 

[steve_64]

I like this 20 inch machine I got. Once we got the floors up to snuff and everyobe trained we don't have any issues...so far.
The 20 is lighter than the 15 inch proteam so it doesn't wear you out so much.
When broken down we get about $50 an hour to vacuum. But someone has to clean toilets too.

I wouldn't do vaccing as an extra charge on vlm since its a must do anyway.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Yes, someone has to clean toilets Back in our broke days in between careers, Diana was praying about our business. We were only doing floors and semi-struggling. She told The Lord she would clean toilets if He wanted her to. He said ok, within the month we were in a school, a church, phone co. office, and within 6mo. a dialysis unit. Whoa lots of toilets!!

 

[Cleanworks]

Yes, someone has to clean toilets Back in our broke days in between careers, Diana was praying about our business. We were only doing floors and semi-struggling. She told The Lord she would clean toilets if He wanted her to. He said ok, within the month we were in a school, a church, phone co. office, and within 6mo. a dialysis unit. Whoa lots of toilets!!

Be careful what you pray for.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I told HER that for the next 30 yrs., seriously! But, I guess since we were willing, He was willing to oblige.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Better pray for a Kaivac!

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Yep, that too. Don’t have the Kaivac, but use all their tools with the Cobra.
And have lots of helpers to go with them.