Hello All,

I've been working through Rick's CMS package. If I had known it was this good, I would had bought it long ago.

I came up with a few questions as looking over the inspection sheet:

Where is the best place to get walk off mats and how much do I want to have my hands in that?

When inspecting the carpet backing for impacted soil, what is the best way to do this (as I may be in front of the prospect). Should I use a magnifying glass?

Sorry if this next question has been beat to death. Although there are many good ways to get up gum, what is the quickest way? If I'm looking at several hundred gum spots, quickness quickly becomes vital.

Thanks all and thanks Rick for making the CMS program.

Jeremy

I purchase my walk of mats at Home Depot 3' x 5' around $20.00 commercial grade roll up easy and can be hosed of I keep 2 on the truck.
Inspection varies alittle with me, I like to take a spotter with me and hit right in the middle of an extreme spot telling the customer I would like a sample of the stain to take with me for reference, now after that you left a clean spot they will always look at. I do keep a magnifying glass and small flashlight for easier viewing. I write down remarks as I inspect even if the customer is with me, remarks include type of carpet last cleaned, stains, troubled areas, etc. As a added bonus i take a digital camera with me and ask permnison before using that way when you use your CMS CD you can transfer pictures onto the quote, if they are getting other quotes you will probably stand out

www.stopdirt.com

Good pricing; usually free shipping.

Kevin Kluth
Pinnacle Cleaning
www.dryinonehour.com
www.fullerdirect.com/0704120

Glad to hear that you like the CMS program!!!


As far as inspecting the backing of the carpet goes, you can normally just pry apart the tufts of fiber and peer down to the base of the carpet to see if the backing is white. Keep in mind that latex is white, so ideally you should see a white backing. However CGD carpet can hold a ton of soil at the base of the fiber, so you may see a darker color. If you see a darker color - bring it to the attention of the management. It's an indication that the carpet has not received adequate vacuuming/dry-soil-recovery (and/or carpet cleaning). You may need to use a pocket knife or some other object to pry apart the tufts of fiber because the tufts can often times be so compacted together that it's nearly impossible to see the backing of the carpet. And if you really want to impress the client - you might consider using one of the little pocket microscopes from Radio Shack http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=microscope&origkw=microscope&sr=1 But you can get a pretty good visual with your unaided eye.


Here's a simple process for gum removal...

(1) Use a gum freeze spray (available from any janitorial supply house). Spray the gum. Chip off the bulk of the gum.

(2) Place a drop of citrus gel onto the sticky gum residue and gently work it down into the residue that resides deeper in the fiber.

Then encap with Releasit like normal.


Wishing you success as you grow your commercial business!









Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com

I cleaned client this weekend and there was candle wax present. (2"x4") I used the freeze spay on it scraped it just as rick said. Then i used encap Spot to get the remaining left in the fibers. Before i used the Spot, fibers was stuck together from the remaining wax. But after spotting it i inspected with my fingers and it felt normal again. Then i OP'D it. Couldn't tell it was there.

Client couldn't believe i told her to tac on an extra $20.00 for the candle wax.

Thanks
Your Servant Alex

The Time Left Is Reduced!!
USE IT WISELY!!

Thank you all for the responses. Rick, I had a hunch that freezing the gum would be part of it. It just seemed that gelling it all off would take too long.

That microscope looks awesome for 11 bucks. I'm getting one!

Jeremy

I have one of those and they work great. I want to introduce another idea I learned. let me set this up:

I was doing glass-scratch removal for builders on the East Coast of Florida. (another story) and we learned of the the new, electronic, hand-held digital microscopes used with lap-top computers. They allow the user to show what ever is under magnification right on the screen of the lap-top. Further, the software will also allow "photographs" of same.

In my former business, this was priceless! What appears to just be a little (or big) scratch on these expensive windows, was now seen as huge breaks and such. This positioned me as the ONLY expert. I had NO competition when I introduced this puppy.

The magnification is so big, the "dirt" will be obvious....along with the description how you, the current expert, can/will remove.

Who else shows up for a carpet bid with a computer? Then leaves a photo of the crap MR Manager has in his carpets?

I have a Tasco 30x illuminated microscope (pocket type) that I have had so long I don't remember where I got it for sure but I think Radio Shack. I would not use a magnifing glass. Try to look as proffessional as possible. Now go out and have a good day.

Hey Phil, where do you go one of those?

The models change almost every year. do a search (google) for hand held digital microscope. They'll run around $200. Comes with software etc. They magnify to about 200. Makes the carpet look like trees :)Dirt balls? You can see the serial numbers

I got the pocket microscope today for $8 at my local Radio Shack. It works well. I do see the digital in my future. I've got a newer lap top (I HATE VISTA!) that I could use with it.

Jeremy