[daysdeepclean]

I reluctantly took on a Wool Rug, HSL and Upholstery job today (because it's Saturday) The lady claimed that she'd had it all cleaned less than a year ago where it had taken some cowboy an hour to do the lot I didn't ask how much she'd paid. It was obviously done with a RD or some other toy as she said they'd brought the machine indoors and pushed it around and the carpets and sofa were wet for days : Everything was producing lots of foam and I had to check my waste tank periodically, I made sure I used plenty de-foam.

When I switched #2 motor off I noticed #1 motor was making a grating sound. On completion of the job I ran both motors for a good 3-4 minutes and the dodgy noise seems to have gone.

Next time I get the foam appearing like that again should I walk?

[Bob Robertson]

Colin

I would say don't walk.At the end of the day you are running a business and if you kept on walking from jobs you wouldn't last.You come across this problem now and again, but always show the customer the problem that the previous cleaner has made, explain why you do it different and they will use you again and pass your number on instead of the other guys.

Bob

[daysdeepclean]

The thing is, I've gone through nearly a grands worth of motors in a few months and I can't run a business buying motors every time I clean up after some twit before me "Shampoos" carpets.  I come across this problem very rarely, I have to say.

I think you're right though Bob

[ady]

Colin  dont you have any defoam, if not get some I had an excell and had the same trouble with the local cowboy .
Dont have my excell now but it came to the stage when I put  a drop in the recovery tank on every job its not that expensive and saves you in the long run  ,      ady

[dave123]

Next  time Colin sprinkle the defoamer on the carpet before cleaning .It seems to be more efficient that way rather than pouring down the hose ,especially if there is a lot of soap residue. It's sometimes the customer putting stuff on the carpet trying to remove stains.

[richy27]

i have sprinkled defoamer before on big prob jobs. to be honest its your choice to walk away but if you do a decent job and clean professionally which i know you do col custy should be impressed and you will be back there again the future and prob without the foam problem. just keep putting defoamer in the hoses tanks and sprinkle and repeat as and when required

[daysdeepclean]

if you do a decent job and clean professionally which i know you do col

You must be getting me mixed up with someone else Richard

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I've mentioned my Excel, experience, I spent more on vacs than chemicals

Get a different make of machine, my Alltec has done 1600 hours and original vacs are stll working.

Cheers

Doug

[from edge2edge]

Colin wedge a bar of soap in the recovery tank so you have it there all the time.Regards Alan

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

Colin    Re vacs........Make sure you replace the carbon brushes every 6 months, don't run steam through them when sucking clean water out of the solution tank, rather use a by pass into the waste tank. Finally as I'm sure you're doing run the vacs at the end of the day with the lid off to dry out the vacs.  You're vacs will last for years.

PS always carry de-foamer

good luck Paul


 

[homenclean]

Wipe defoam around the inside of the tank also mix a small amount with water into a bucket and extract it through your hose. Another tip i was given was to use fabric conditioner as an alternative to defoam, i have it is quite effective and it keeps the tank smelling fresh.

John

[Mark Lane-Matthews]

You can also spray silicon into the recovery hoses which will also help

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

I always put defoamer in the recovery tank whether the carpets are foamy or not. Ive gone through 4 vac motors in 6 years which isnt too bad and Im using an Excel as well Colin.

[Nathanael Jones]

Another tip i was given was to use fabric conditioner as an alternative to defoam, i have it is quite effective and it keeps the tank smelling fresh.

John

I like that idea,.. will give it a try.
I always use de-foamer, but have noticed the occasional job where the foam builds up regardless, no doubt due to the shampoo the last cowboy used. I've an altec machine, and the motors are 7 or 8 years old now and still going strong.

[Jim_77]

Colin,

Change your machine!  The change will pay for itself very quickly by the sounds of it, thats a ridiculous amount of money on vacs!

Also I've noticed since using m-power and microsplitters, i rarely get probs with foam in-tank because these type of products break the foam down very well..

don't apply defoamer to carpets, it might cause a problem and wasnt designed to be in contact with carpets.

[murky]

Jim,

As allways you beat me to it, ie; dont put defoamer on the carpet it actually attracts dirt, dont ask me how or why.

 I was allways told to suck it up through the pipes thereby coating them before it gets to your waste tank.

I have Altec aswell and my pumps last for years, make sure you leave waste tank lid open when its stored or not in use thereby letting any residual moisture evaporate.

Murky

[daysdeepclean]

I'm hoping my Alltec turns up this week Jim... Some really good ideas, but how do you go about introducing silicone spray into the motors? Through the pipes?

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

You spray the sides of the waste tank while vac is OFF. Dont get it into the vac motors  :

[Mike Halliday]

Prochems powered defoamer can be sprinkled onto the carpet before extraction cleaning.

[Jim_77]

Does it have an engine Mike?  Or do you plug it in to the mains?




sorry