9 Reasons why that “great deal” on a used truckmount might not be so great.

  1. Condition and Wear: Used truckmounts may have wear and tear from previous usage, and they might not perform as efficiently as a new machine. Parts may be worn, and the overall condition may affect its effectiveness and longevity.
  2. Maintenance History: The lack of a complete maintenance history from the previous owner(s) means you cannot say for sure they have followed the recommended intervals for oil and other liquid changes, filter changes, etc.…+ This can be a significant risk for you as the new owner. You cannot see inside the blower, engine, pump, or heat exchanger to see if it has been properly maintained. If the previous owner did not maintain the equipment properly, it could lead to more frequent breakdowns and higher maintenance costs for the new owner.
  3. Limited Warranty or None: Unlike new equipment that often comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, used equipment may have limited or no warranty coverage. With many truckmount manufacturers and major component manufactures, even if there is a remaining warranty, it may not transfer to you as the new owner. This means that any issues or malfunctions that arise after the purchase may result in additional repair costs for the buyer.
  4. Obsolete Technology: Older models may lack the latest technological advancements, making them less efficient and effective compared to newer equipment. This can impact on the quality of carpet cleaning and may require more effort and time to achieve the desired results. Many manufacturers only support a truckmount by maintaining a parts inventory for a certain number of years after they discontinue a model. Parts can become harder and harder (and more expensive to find). Some smaller truckmount manufacturers change parts on a regular basis within the same model. Just because they still sell that machine does not always mean it is built with the same framework and components now.
  5. Hidden Defects: There may be hidden defects or issues not immediately apparent during a visual inspection. These could become apparent only after the equipment is put into operation, leading to unexpected repair costs.
  6. Compatibility Issues: Used equipment may not be compatible with newer accessories or technologies. This can limit your ability to upgrade or integrate the equipment with other tools and systems.
  7. Resale Value: As equipment ages, its resale value decreases. This may impact your ability to recover the initial investment when you decide to sell or upgrade the equipment in the future.
  8. Regulatory Compliance: Older equipment may not meet current safety and environmental standards. This could pose regulatory compliance issues which could potentially shut you down.
  9. Who is giving you advice: Often, before you buy a truckmount based upon an album of pictures on a social media site, professional cleaners will go on-line and ask for other’s opinions about that particular brand and model of truckmount. Even when the feedback is positive, keep in mind those responders do not know any more than you do about how well the machine has been taken care of.

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to thoroughly inspect the used equipment, request maintenance records, and, if possible, test its performance before making a purchase. We always recommend you take the machine you are considering buying into your local HydraMaster Distributor and let their service team give it the once over before you buy it. If the seller will not let you do that. Our recommendation is to consider buying used equipment from reputable distributors who provide transparency about the equipment’s history and offer some form of guarantee or back-up. The HydraMaster CDS Direct Drive Truckmount consistently provides the highest resale value of any truckmount built in the industry. The proven track record of this machine is unparalleled. Still, you need to look at the condition of the van AND machine when considering buying a used CDS.

What drives a person to buy used equipment? Quite often, it is budget. As a start-up or newer business, they simply do not have the capital to buy or credit history to borrow the money for a new machine. So, they scrape together whatever they can and buy what matches that price point. Not a great long-term plan for quick success in their new business. Another mistake they often make is thinking they must have a bigger, “badder” machine than their budget or credit history allows. So, they buy an older bigger truckmount for the price they could get a brand new smaller truckmount. Think about this, there are thousands of carpet cleaning companies successfully operating with portable extractors only, or Very Low Moisture Equipment only. You do not have to have the biggest, “baddest” truckmount to build your business and wow your customers with the cleaning performance of a TITAN 325.

Our advice, lean on the expertise of your local distributor to guide you through the process. Many finance companies have special start-up packages available for someone just like you. At least fill out an application. The worst thing that could happen is you cannot get the financing and you are back to square one. Feel free to go ahead and check it out with the people who say they are your “buddies” online in a social media forum or group. But understand, many of them have an agenda for giving out advice on-line that has nothing to do with contributing to your success. Carefully sift through the “advice” and “experience” you are provided. Some of it is no doubt valuable. Some, not so much.

Here is the best part. A truckmount made by an international manufacturer with local distributors for installation and service starts out under $20,000 in the US. – the TITAN 325. The TITAN 325 platform is the number one selling nationally sold entry level truckmount in the world. Before you buy that 2003 rustbolt of a machine from someone you do not know, at least check that out as a possibility. If you do buy it you may want to keep some WD-40, chicken wire, and duct tape handy.

When Deep Cleaning is the Most Important Thing

In the mad rush to one up the other guy and virtually remove the human element from the equation, the last few years have seen many carpet cleaning equipment manufacturers invest almost entirely in autonomous, automated cleaning. You can’t visit a big box or large retail store now and not see an unmanned robot-controlled floor cleaning machine driving up and down the aisle of the store, often in the middle part of the day. Ignoring the fact that this automated equipment exceeds the budget of most companies or facilities, the investment into this type of equipment by almost all the major floor care equipment manufacturers certainly outweighs the true market share.

But this really is not anything new. The evolution of the carpet extractor in the commercial cleaning world has almost always been more about increasing productivity and reducing labor than it has been about deep cleaning effectiveness. The box extractor evolved into the electric walk behind extractor. The electric walk behind extractor evolved into the battery powered walk behind extractor. The battery powered walk behind extractor evolved into the battery-powered ride-on extractor. Now the ride on extractor has evolved into the smart brain controlled robotic, autonomous extractor. We can certainly clean carpet faster with reduced labor cost. But what has mostly been overlooked is the simple fact that the cleaning technology – the solution pressure, the vacuum system to recover the water and soil, and the ability to heat the cleaning solution is pretty much the same throughout the evolutionary process. Now don’t get me wrong, The marketing folks have made it sound like true advancements have been made in reducing the use of cleaning chemicals; reducing the use of water to make drying times faster; or even added mechanisms trying to assist the vacuum system in water recovery, but essentially the four fundamentals of the cleaning pie chart have pretty much stayed the same – chemistry, heat, agitation, and time. Now for many commercial buildings, this level of cleaning has been acceptable. Budget is most often more important than actual results. Downtime reduction of the area being cleaned is more important than actual results. Reducing labor costs is more important than actual results. Cold water “green” cleaning sounds like a great idea if you are trying to reduce the use of resources. Technology advancements and the evolution of cleaning equipment have certainly addressed all those areas.

But for an important and growing number of buildings and facilities, the level of deep cleaning results remains top priority. The recent pandemic even brought a higher level of scrutiny to just what “clean” really means. Dr. Michael Berry, who headed up groundbreaking research on the interaction between professional cleaning and the indoor environment defined clean this way:

“Clean is an environmental condition free of unwanted matter. Matter is anything of substance. Substances are of three forms: solids, liquids, and gases. Pollution is unwanted matter that gets in the way of human endeavors, poses a risk, or causes an undesirable effect.”

“Cleaning is the management process used to achieve the clean condition. Effective cleaning is the process of extracting and removing unwanted matter to the optimum extent to reduce exposure to unwanted matter.”

The value of heat in the cleaning process should also be reinforced at this point. Most people understand that the use of heat accelerates most chemical reactions resulting in deeper cleaning and often reduced drying times. According to an article published in Chemistry World, “a growing body of research reveals that to hurry reactions along in water and replace reagents all that’s needed is some heat.”  Even key concepts from a middle school chemistry training program reinforce this:

  • “Adding energy (heating) increases molecular motion.
  • Increased molecular motion competes with the attraction between solute molecules and tends to make them come apart more easily.
  • Increased molecular motion causes more solvent molecules to contact solute molecules and pull on them with more force, usually resulting in more dissolving.
  • Since different substances are made from different atoms, ions, or molecules, increased temperature will affect their dissolving to different extents. “

The use of heat in the role of the removal and treatment of unwanted substances, including biological germs and viruses has been scientifically measured and demonstrated in numerous scientific studies performed by Dr. Berry and the Research Triangle Institute, Airmed Health Studies, and other research organizations. Measured reductions in biological contaminants and other unwanted substances have been clearly identified in carpets, textiles, upholstery, and hard surface floors after the use of extraction cleaning equipment that can maintain temperatures across the surfaces being cleaned of 130º – 160º F.

Dr. Berry summarized what “Characteristics of High-Performance Carpet Cleaning” looked like in a 2017 article published in the Journal of Cleaning, Restoration and Inspection.

“Effective cleaning is the process of extracting and removing unwanted matter to the optimum extent to reduce exposure to unwanted matter. Most people clean carpets when they look dirty. Rarely does anyone recognize that their carpet needs to be cleaned for health protection. Yet every time pollutants are extracted from the carpeting; the quality of the indoor environment is enhanced by reducing exposure. A high-performance carpet cleaning process focuses on nine steps using a wet, high temperature, high flow, high extraction system”

The large majority of commercial carpet cleaning equipment manufactured today does not meet the definition of “High Performance Carpet Cleaning.” Your extraction equipment needs to be:

  1. Wet (Water based)
  2. Maintain a High Solution Temperature (130-160º F) across the surface being cleaned)
  3. High Flow (> 0.8 to 1.0gpm of water flow. This is not just a higher solution pressure (psi). It is a higher flow rate for better flushing of Pollutants from the carpet. It takes an extractor with a high flow 400-500 psi or more solution pump to achieve this.
  4. High Extraction System (Strong Vacuum recovery capabilities with wastewater storage for proper disposal.)

The HydraMaster PEX500 High Performance Heated Extractor meets and exceeds the above-defined criteria. While some would consider this kind of box and wand extractor to be “old technology, “it is the type of equipment that has focused on improving the cleaning process itself, not just making carpet cleaning faster and less labor intensive. The PEX500 uses the highest capacity heating element available (2000W) to maintain higher cleaning solution temperature even when under a higher water flow demand. Most heated extractors use a 750W to 1750W heater. It has a 50-500 psi adjustable pump with flow rates at 400-500 psi being around 0.9 to 1.0 gpm. It uses dual 3 stage vacuum blowers for maximum solution recovery. Combined with the EVOLUTION wand, this combination was demonstrated to have the highest level of recovery and fastest drying times of any portable extractor tested.

So if a facility you are tasked with cleaning wants high performance deep cleaning instead of just reducing labor costs, it might be time to invest in this equipment that has focused on cleaning improvements. Who would be interested in this level of cleaning? Businesses and facilities are concerned not just about how the carpet looks, but how healthy is the indoor environment it is installed in. Many healthcare facilities certainly fall into this camp. But more and more Class A commercial buildings and health sensitive corporations are simply not satisfied with the level of “cleaning” they get from a robot or a ride on extractor that is focused on speed only. If really getting the carpet deep cleaned at the highest level is their desire, you can step right in with the PEX500 extractor and deliver them the service they are craving.

In the end, the benefits they get from deep cleaning will become more and more obvious.

  • Extraction and removal of unwanted matter
  • The sanitizing effect (decontamination) of hot cleaning solution
  • Restoring confidence in the safety and healthfulness of their facility
  • Reassurance to employees, customers, vendors, and all stake holders
  • Extending the life of the carpet investment

For more information on the PEX500 heated extractor, visit https://hydramaster.com/product/pex500/. For more information, and copies of the studies on the science of carpet cleaning, download the free information at https://hydramaster.com/thescienceofcleaning/

The Last Job of the Day – Daily Maintenance for Your Portable Extractor

What would you think if you walked into a restaurant in the morning for a nice breakfast, and the first thing you noticed was that they had not cleaned up the restaurant after a day’s activities the night before? You would likely leave and go find a different restaurant.

The same can be said when it comes to caring for portable carpet extractors. Unlike your truckmount, your portable extractors are taken into the job site where their condition and appearance will immediately be noticed by anyone who is in the room or building. If you have obvious areas of the machine where you should have wiped up spilled materials, or a smelly waste tank from the prior days activities, you are not going to make the kin of “first impression’ that your business would like to. Always remember that customers will surely notice the machine you use. What kind of impression will it give them if your extractor is soiled and dirty?

But after a busy and hard day of work, it is not hard to understand why many carpet cleaning technicians and cleaning professionals may believe their day should be “over and out” when they finish cleaning the carpets. So how do you convince a tired but dedicated carpet cleaning technician (might be an employee or it might be you) it’s actually smart to make cleaning and caring for the machine itself the last job of the day? The best way to do it is to build it into your daily routine or schedule. Make it second nature and make it an expectation of finishing your day.

Before adding this step to your daily routine, however, be sure to review the manufacturer’s instructions as to how to care for your portable extractor. Some machines may require specific maintenance on a set or regular schedule. 

For most machines, the following maintenance steps should be taken at the end of the work day:

  • When cleaning your carpet extractor at the end of the day, be sure the tanks are clean and fresh by flushing them with pure water. Leave the tanks empty and allow them to air dry. In severe cases, consider adding a deodorizer to the solution you wash them out with
  • You may also find it necessary to occasionally run a little deodorizer or disinfectant through the vacuum hoses along with some defoamer.  Be sure and rinse thoroughly. This keeps the hoses clean and sanitary and helps make sure air can move freely through the hose.
  • You should also de-scale the unit’s pump. Again, check the owner’s manual for information about if and how you should perform this task on your particular machine.
  • Rinse the machine’s wands off and make sure no clogging has started. Use a wire comb to pull lint, hair, and other debris. Also, make sure there is no fraying or cracks on the hoses or electrical cords. These invariably become worse over time.
  • Clean vacuum cut off screen in recovery tank, rinse screen and the vacuum cut off ball  and use a brush to remove all hair and lint, this will  give you a good shut off when tank is full and you won’t pull water through vacuum motors.
  • A soft toothbrush may be used to clean the jets on the wand to remove mineral deposits.
  • Wipe the machine down from top to bottom, and don’t forget the wheels. This will ensure that you don’t roll any soil from yesterday’s job into the first job tomorrow morning.
  • The end of the day is also a good time to inspect and listen to the machine. Investigate anything unusual, including any unusual sounds you might hear when the machine is operating.
  • Finally, it’s a good idea to check your chemicals that you used at the end of the day as well. Make sure they are secured and the tops are tight, and wipe the containers down.

Remember, keeping your equipment and chemicals clean and well maintained ensures worker safety, enhances professionalism, and ultimately makes your job a lot easier.

The Unlucky Thirteen –

13 Different Things That Could Impact the Warranty Coverage on Your HydraMaster TruckMount

HydraMaster has one of the most respected warranties in the cleaning and restoration industry. We constantly hear from distributor mechanics that we are easier to work with on warranty claims than most other companies. We refer to this as the Hassle-Free Warranty Service – on the rare occasion something goes wrong outside of regular maintenance, your local HydraMaster distributor and HydraMaster combine to provide you with warranty support. All components, large or small, are included in the Warranty Plan, providing the owner with real warranty coverage against any part failure. Our machines are designed with a richness of detail and with many labor-saving features.

Who do you contact first if you have a question about warranty coverage on your truckmount?

If you have a question about your warranty or feel like you may need service that would be covered under your warranty, the best place to start is the service department at the distributor that you purchased your HydraMaster truckmount from. If you purchase a new car from a Ford Dealer and need warranty service you take the car back to the Ford Dealer you purchased your car from, not to Ford’s headquarters in Michigan.

 How do I find a local authorized HydraMaster Distributor?

For service, maintenance, warranty work, part number and pricing, and repair of all HydraMaster Truckmounts, your best source for help and information is your local authorized HydraMaster Master Distributor. If you purchased your HydraMaster truckmount from a distributor who is a long way away from you, or if your company has moved since the purchase of your HydraMaster truckmount, you can locate the distributor(s) nearest to you by clicking on this link: https://hydramaster.com/dealer-locator/ . You can call or email the location you select and ask for their service department. Make sure you have the truckmount model type, serial number, and date of installation handy.

If your local distributor service department is unavailable, for fastest response you can email the HydraMaster Technical Support Team at techsupport@hydramaster.com. You can also call them at (800) 426-1301 (425-775-7272) and select OPTION 2. Leave a message and they will get back to you. The HydraMaster Tech Support Team is available Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:00pm Pacific Time

What is HydraMaster Responsible for Under Your Truckmount Warranty?

HydraMaster warrants to the original end user of each new machine, new accessories, and genuine replacement parts against defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. Our obligation under this warranty is limited to repair or replacement of the defective item at our factory or by an Authorized Service Center at our discretion. Warranty coverage shall begin on the date of purchase by the original end user (as evidenced by your invoice from the factory or Authorized Dealer) or six (6) months from the date the machine was shipped from the factory, whichever is earlier. The warranty registration card must be completed and returned within 30 days of installation. The warranty coverage period is specified within the specific warranty relating to your truckmount that is included in the truckmount manual. It covers the frame, covers, vacuum recovery tank (structural only), chemical systems, hoses (internal machine), hoses (external machine), High pressure bypass valve, Water heating system and heat exchangers, High pressure solution (water) pump, belts, fittings (internal machine), filter screens, gauges, electrical components, HydraMaster manufactured accessories and freshwater tanks. The specific length and duration of the warranty that covers the truckmount you purchased can be found in your equipment manual. You can also find the specifics of your truckmount warranty here: https://hydramaster.com/warranty/

The installation of the truckmount itself

Since you most likely paid for an authorized HydraMaster Distributor to install your truckmount into your vehicle, the quality and performance of the installation itself is the responsibility of the installing distributor. While HydraMaster provides specific installation instructions and training for each truckmount installation to our distributors, they are responsible for the installation itself. In addition, your HydraMaster distributor may have sold you and installed other truckmount related accessories or tanks that connect or interact with your HydraMaster truckmount that were not manufactured or supplied by HydraMaster. HydraMaster is not responsible for the operation or performance of any accessory, tank or tool that was not supplied by HydraMaster. Performance and operation issues of your HydraMaster truckmount caused by improper installation of your HydraMaster Truckmount are not covered by your HydraMaster warranty. Please contact the installing distributor for further assistance.

 The engine warranty.

If you invested in a slide-in truckmount, the engine warranty itself is administered by the manufacturer of the engine. The length of the warranty and the process for making a warranty claim are determined by the policies and procedures of the engine manufacturer. Your HydraMaster Slide-in truckmount has an engine manufactured by one of the following companies: Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, or Kubota. For more information about how the engine warranty process works, contact your local HydraMaster Distributor.

 The vacuum blower warranty.

The vacuum blower warranty itself is administered by the manufacturer of the vacuum blower. The length of the warranty and the process for making a warranty claim are determined by the policies and procedures of the blower manufacturer. Your HydraMaster Slide-in truckmount has a vacuum blower manufactured by one of the following companies: Tuthill (MD-Kinney) or Gardner-Denver (Sutorbilt). For more information about how the vacuum blower warranty process works, contact your local HydraMaster Distributor.

So, what are the most common issues that can affect your truckmount warranty coverage?

The list below is not meant to be all-inclusive. It is simply a compilation of the outcome of warranty claims over a several year period. To avoid the risk associated with these issues, we highly recommend you track your service and maintenance recommendations and intervals that are described in your equipment manual. Keep records of maintenance and service, whether you do it yourself, or have it done by a local HydraMaster Distributor.

  1. FREEZING – Do not allow your truckmount to be subjected to a continuous temperate below 32°F. This can cause all kinds of issues with your truckmount, but the most common and serious is breaking your heat exchanger.
  2. Too low of an oil level in the engine. If something goes wrong with the engine within the warranty period, the first thing they will look at is whether the engine has been properly lubricated continuously by the right type of engine oil and the level the oil is maintained at.
  3. Installation related issues – make sure your installation is done by an authorized HydraMaster distributor.
  4. Low oil level in the vacuum blower – If something goes wrong with the vacuum blower within the warranty period, the first thing they will look at is whether the blower has been properly lubricated continuously by the right type of blower oil and the level the oil is maintained at.
  5. Low oil in the pump – – If something goes wrong with the solution pump within the warranty period, the first thing they will look at is whether the pump has been properly lubricated continuously by the right type of oil and the level the oil is maintained at.
  6. Adjusting your vacuum relief valve too high – The vacuum pressure limits are set by the manufacturer of the vacuum pump and the manufacturer of the carpet cleaning equipment to protect the components from damage due to excessive pressure on the aluminum tanks, excessive heat in the vacuum pump (they are ‘air cooled’, cooled by the air passing through the pump), and excessive loads on the driving components (engine, or drive shafts). Extensive research and validation testing goes into choosing the proper vacuum pressure limits of each machine. Changing the factory vacuum settings may result in damage to many of the machines’ critical internal components and is not covered by most machine warranties.
  7. Not changing oil or filters often enough – Maintain and change your oil levels and any related filters of your engine, vacuum blower, or solution pump within the schedule that is contained in your equipment manuals.
  8. Using water that is too hard without treatment – Hard water can adversely affect many components on your truckmount. If you live and operate in an area with extremely hard water, the installation of a water softener is highly recommended. Consult with your local HydraMaster Distributor for more information.
  9. Using improper lubricants – Use only lubricants and sprays recommended within your equipment manus. The use of improper lubricants can cause adverse effects.
  10. Using your truckmount to pick up or extract sticky or hazardous substances that can result in clogging up or damaging the vacuum blower (floor wax, flammables, etc..)
  11. Using improper chemicals – If you are using a reputable brand of chemicals that you purchase from your local HydraMaster distributor, this is one you don’t have to worry about. If you are mixing up your own chemicals in your bathtub or using cleaning detergents and solutions not specifically formulated for truckmounted cleaning equipment, they can clog up and damage your truckmount and cause premature wear on components and waste tanks. For the best results with your HydraMaster truckmount, we highly recommend the use of the HydraMaster chemical brand.
  12. Improper Use of your Truckmount – Your truckmount is designed for carpet and hard surface floor cleaning, pressure washing, water and flood extraction, and upholstery and rug cleaning. The use of your truckmount on other surfaces and in certain adverse environments can cause premature wear and damage to components and tanks. If in doubt, contact your local HydraMaster Distributor before you accept or start the job.
  13. Modifications to the truckmount – HydraMaster Truckmounts are developed by a team of experienced engineers familiar with the design and performance of truckmount equipment. Modifications to the design or workings of the machine you may hear about in social media that are done by yourself or a non-authorized distributor may affect your warranty coverage. After all, we have been building Truckmounts for over 52 years. We’ve learned a thing or two.

What advantages does having hose reels on-board your cleaning van or truck provide to your cleaning and restoration operation?

Hose reels come in all shapes and sizes. You can invest in hose reel for your vacuum hose, your solution (pressure) hose, and your water hook-up (garden) hose; or you can invest in an assembly of all three. These hose reels can be set-up to be a “live hook-up” or independent. The vacuum hose reel can be electric, so with the flip of a switch it will automatically reel in your vacuum hose, or it can be a manual reel where “arm power” brings back your vacuum hose. These reels can be mounted out of the side or the back of your truck or van. They can even be part of a freshwater tank/hose reel combination like with the HydraMaster HydraCradle or the 85 Gallon Freshwater tank. You can find out more about just some of the hose reels that HydraMaster carries at our website. In addition, it is likely that your local HydraMaster distributor carries additional hose reel offerings in their inventory. Hose reels and hose reel combinations can cost you between $600 and $5500 ($USD) depending upon what you get. Even if you are presently operating only portable equipment, it might be wise to check out if a hose reel to hold your hoses will save you time and effort.

But before you start hearing all kinds of different opinions about what the right hose reel is to buy, perhaps you should first start with some general reasons with why they can be a great investment for you:

  • You can conveniently store between 150′ and 300′ feet of house on a specific reel. This increases the additional room in the back of your van or truck to carry all your other gear, plus it is enough hose for most of the jobs you sign up for.
  • They extend the life of your vacuum and solution hose by keeping it off the floor of your van or truck
  • Electric hose reels allow you to quickly and easily retrieve and “roll-up” your hoses saving you time. Think about it for just a minute: many of the smaller jobs you go to you spend more time setting up and “tearing down” than you actually do cleaning the carpet or hard surface floors.
  • A hose reel makes it easier to clean and maintain your hoses making for the best presentation for your customer, and keeping you from transferring the soil and leaves from one job site to the next.
  • You can save even more time and money and increase your productivity by selecting the optional live solution hose reel hook-up. Only “un-reel” the amount of hose you need on smaller jobs with shorter hose pulls

What if a hose reel is not in your budget right now? You can store and handle your hoses through a couple of different methods than just dumping them on the floor of your van or truck. Most cleaners wrap up 50′ sections and hand them with a bungee cord to the side of the van or to their chemical shelf. A few still store their hoses in large plastic garbage cans and take them out and put them back in after every job. Feel free to share your ides for hose handling.

What is the Vacuum Relief Valve on Your Truckmount for, and Should You Adjust it?

Truckmounted carpet cleaning machines rely on air movement (flow) to remove spent cleaning solution, water, and debris from soiled carpets.

This air movement is produced by mechanical means inside the truckmount. A vacuum (latin vacuus, meaning vacant) pump is used to create the movement of air. These pumps are also called ‘blowers’ because they ‘blow’ air out of the exhaust. The movement of air through the pump creates a negative pressure (vacuum) on the inlet, and a positive pressure on the outlet. The negative pressure side of the pump is plumbed to a tank that is used to capture the water solution being removed from the cleaning process.

The ‘vacuum’ tank is constructed of aluminum and has internal baffles and structures to support the negative pressure environment created by the vacuum pump.

Since the vacuum pumps utilized in most truck mounted carpet cleaning machines are what they call ‘positive displacement’ devices, and they can produce much more vacuum pressure than is practical for the carpet cleaning process. In order to safeguard the integrity of the aluminum vacuum tank and the associated components a ‘vacuum relief valve’ is installed in the tank to limit the negative pressure environment to specific levels.

The vacuum pressure limits are set by the manufacturer of the vacuum pump and the manufacturer of the carpet cleaning equipment to protect the components from damage due to excessive pressure on the aluminum tanks, excessive heat in the vacuum pump (they are ‘air cooled’, cooled by the air passing through the pump), and excessive loads on the driving components (engine, or drive shafts).

Extensive research and validation testing goes into choosing the proper vacuum pressure limits of each machine.

Changing the factory vacuum settings may result in damage to many of the machines’ critical internal components and is not covered by most machine warranties.

Vacuum settings should be checked and adjusted to factory settings on a regular basis to ensure the best performance and reliability of our truck mounted carpet cleaning machine.

Author: Eric Jacobson, HydraMaster Engineering Team

The fallacy and unfulfilled promises of “cold-water” cleaning

Cold Steve Austin is Stone Wrong. ICE T has never cleaned the carpet in a pizza restaurant. Drew Brees might want to check out the smelliest part of those football uniforms after they have been cleaned. You might have seen the television commercials by a leading washing machine detergent company highlighting the “alleged” money-saving and climate benefits of switching to cold-water cleaning when doing laundry. The use of all these celebrities: a famous wrestler, an actor, and a football player all lead to the conclusion that you are a better citizen and more planet friendly if you clean with cold water, plus you will save money.

This argument is not a new one, even with the most recent emphasis on climate change and the increased discussion on the use of resources to heat up the water. Tide ran a similar ad series all the way back in 1996. The argument sounds rather convincing – their detergent is good enough to get even the greasiest and dirtiest laundry clean with cold water. This of course brings up a longstanding debate in the cleaning industry. Do you really need hot water to effectively clean carpet and hard surface floors? One well known trainer on green cleaning in the janitorial industry has long pushed for “cold water” cleaning, even when it came to commercial carpets and hard surface floors. So, what does a planet conscious carpet cleaning professional do? Should you turn off your heater when cleaning carpeting and hard surface floors?

As far as the criticism that heating up the water uses limited resources, there are several arguments against this concept. First, using only cold water, particularly on carpets and hard surface floors that have been exposed to a higher level of oil and “sticky” based soiling, will increase the amount of time it takes to clean the floor. It will require the use of a larger volume of cleaning chemical. It will require multiple passes of the cleaning wand across the carpet, increasing the likelihood of over-wetting the carpet and extending drying times. Secondly, admittedly, In the case of portable extractors, the use of electricity to heat the water does use additional resources through the consumption of electricity. This fact led several state attorney generals to propose rules for government buildings specifying “cold-water” cleaning. Dr. Michael Berry, a well-known research scientist who was with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and later a Research Professor at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill wrote against these proposals. In his written response to proposed New York state guidelines for cold water cleaning, he stated “I suggest it is for more important to heat and use water in the pursuit of health protection than it is to reduce energy use and to increase water conservation.”

Several scientific investigations have confirmed the value of heat in the carpet cleaning process to reduce chemical usage. Hotter cleaning solution increases the chemical molecular activity of the cleaning chemical you are using (including water). According to an article published in Chemistry World, “a growing body of research reveals that to hurry reactions along in water and replace reagents all that’s needed is some heat.” Even key concepts from a middle school chemistry training program reinforce this:

  • “Adding energy (heating) increases molecular motion.
  • Increased molecular motion competes with the attraction between solute molecules and tends to make them come apart more easily.
  • Increased molecular motion causes more solvent molecules to contact solute molecules and pull on them with more force, usually resulting in more dissolving.
  • Since different substances are made from different atoms, ions, or molecules, increased temperature will affect their dissolving to different extents. “

Increased chemical activity means you will need to use less chemical to clean. Dr. Michael Berry,  in his book Protecting the Built Environment: Cleaning for Health, found that “heat simply improves cleaning’s effectiveness. “Even without soap, small amounts of grease will dissolve in water, [but] the amount increases in hot water, sometimes ten-fold,” he says.“

A third point specifically related to the use of “resources” by your truckmount to clean carpeting and hard surface floors that seems to get completely overlooked by organizations writing policy that affect our industry has to do with the way that most modern truckmounts work. The fuel consumption used to power a truckmounted carpet cleaning machine, whether it be a slide-in or direct drive unit is going to exist to operate that unit. In most cases, it runs on gasoline. The heating of the water in a heat exchanger equipped truckmount works by capturing heat from other sources (engine, blower, radiator, etc…) that are being powered anyway. The hot water created by a truckmount does not require the use of any additional resources beyond those required to run the truckmount. Using the fuel source for dual benefits – what could be greener than that?

As far as the “climate change argument against hot water” goes, lets dive just a bit deeper. The use of cold-water to clean oil-based soiling requires a massive increase in the use of cleaning solutions, often including petroleum-based solvents, to break down and emulsify the oil-based soil. With each cleaning “pass” across the floor trying to get it clean, additional water is used, additional chemicals are used, and the drying time for the floor is extended. I do not proclaim to be an “expert” on the causes and concerns of climate change, but I don’t think more water consumption, a higher use of chemicals, and more chemical introduced into the sanitary sewage system fits very well with the “climate change” narrative.

Perhaps the most perplexing and confusing part of the “clean with cold water” narrative comes in an often-overlooked benefit of the use of hot water in cleaning; i.e., the sanitizing benefits of hot water. We know that water temperatures above 130º F have been demonstrated to have sanitizing effects on surfaces, including carpeting and hard surface floors, reducing the level of germs, bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted matter. It could be mandated that restaurants use cold water in their dishwashers also, but my guess is that health department regulators would tell you the resources used to heat the water are worth the added protection to public health provided by the sanitizing effects of the extremely hot water. Hotter water in virtually all cleaning applications plays an incredibly significant role in the reduction of germs, bacteria, viruses and other unwanted material without the use of harsh chemical disinfectants. Shaw Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of flooring  recently completed testing that shows the potentially harmful effect on many indoor surfaces and floors of the repeated use and application of common household and commercial chemical sanitizers and disinfectants. Some of these effects have included yellow discoloration and pitting of the surfaces and permanent damage to the texture. All one must do is put “the overuse of chemical disinfectants” into any computer search engine to find a growing body of studies questioning how much chemical disinfecting is being done, and its potentially harmful effects on surfaces and occupant health.

Simply put, hotter cleaning solution contributes to a healthier indoor environment. Let’s look at some independent, peer-reviewed, scientific studies that support this statement. We know that from Dr. Michael Berry and his associates, who on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, did two groundbreaking studies measuring the impact of deep restorative carpet cleaning (utilizing hotter cleaning solution) in 1991 and 1994. The “Denver” Study in 1991 and the “Frank Porter Graham” Study in 1994 advanced our understanding of the interaction between cleaning and the indoor environment. The “Denver” Study looked at whether they could even measure particulates, gas phase organics, and biological contamination in carpeting before, during, and after carpet cleaning. The “Frank Porter Graham” Study was a collaborative effort that involved participants from the cleaning industry utilizing “best industry practices” and deep cleaning methods for on-going cleaning and maintenance in a Child Development Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Airborne dust contaminants were reduced by 52%. Total Volatile Organic Compounds decreased by 49%. Total bacterial was reduced by 40%, and total fungi declined by 61%

We know from studies conducted by the Airmid Health Group in 2014 on the allergen and bacterial effects of truckmount hot water extraction cleaning of massive reductions in allergens from carpeting following cleaning. Their conclusion: “Incorporation of a hot water extraction cleaning procedure in a home allergen avoidance strategy significantly reduces the levels of bio-contaminants to which occupants are exposed.”

Having just evolved into the third year of the “COVID -19” pandemic, the focus on using hot water and detergents as a critical first step in creating a safer and healthier indoor environment has never been more important. We will conclude our discussion of the fallacy of cold-water cleaning by simply reviewing the definition of cleaning originally stated and expanded on by Dr. Berry:

“Effective cleaning is the process of extraction and removing unwanted matter to the optimum extent to reduce exposure to unwanted matter. Most people clean carpets when they look dirty. Rarely does anyone recognize that their carpet needs to be cleaned for health protection. Yet every time pollutants are extracted from the carpeting; the quality of the indoor environment is enhanced by reducing exposures. A high-performance carpet cleaning process that focuses on nine steps using a wet, high temperature, high flow, high extraction system”

The proponents of “cold water cleaning” need to look deeper into the scientifically defined meanings for clean. It is not just about improving appearance. It is about the extraction and removal of unwanted substances. Hot water does that better, and in the end reduces the contribution of chemicals and activities that can directly affect “climate change.”

Resources:

Berry, Dr. Michael A, “Characteristics of High Performance Carpet Cleaning”, The Journal of Cleaning, Restoration, and Inspection, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, Winter 2017, pages 20-26

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/chemical-reactions-in-hot-water/5704.article

https://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/lessonplans/chapter5/lesson6

https://shawinc.com/Newsroom/Press-Releases/Study-Indicates-Carpet-Can-Maintain-Indoor-Air-Qua

https://airmidhealthgroup.com/reduction-of-domestic-allergen-levels-in-carpets-and-soft-furnishings-in-us-homes-using-a-proprietary-hot-water-extraction-cleaning-process.html

Berry, Dr. Michael A, Protecting the Built Environment, Cleaning for Health, Tri-Comm Press, Chapel Hill, NC, 1993

Indoor Air Quality Monitoring in Carpeted Environments, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1992

Indoor Environment Characterization of a Non-Problem Building; Assessment of Cleaning Effectiveness, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1994

What equipment and tool system works best for restorative deep cleaning of luxury vinyl plank and tile floors?

You Should Have Already Noticed the Unprecedented Rise of Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors

Luxury Vinyl Plank continues to be the fastest growing floor covering material. At first glance to the professional carpet cleaning, the meteoric rise in the market share growth of LVP floors may not present an immediate obvious opportunity. After all, with the numerous benefits of LVP (water resistant, stain resistant, easy to install, less expensive, etc..) the first impression of most homeowners is that they can easily clean these floors themselves. Whether they are using a Swiffer®, a mop and bucket, or a hard surface floor steamer or cleaner, they can pretty much convince themselves that the floor looks clean. A deeper dive into reality though starts to unlock some often-overlooked challenges and pitfalls.

Just how dirty are your customers “clean-looking” LVP floors

We have discussed in previous articles that there are fur pressing issues with these floors

  1. Even after cleaning with traditional home methods, the floors measure for higher amounts of germs, bacteria, fecal matter, and soil.
  2. The grooves in LVP floors hold onto embedded soils and other unwanted matter. The use of professional chemical solutions and higher levels of safer but aggressive agitation are required to remove these embedded materials.
  3. Drywall dust and other fine particle construction materials also embed into the flooring during construction or remodeling and need a professional deep cleaning to remove them
  4. Conventional hard surface floor cleaning solutions typically don’t contain the necessary ingredients to effectively deep clean an LVP floor and contain special soil inhibitors that help the floor stay cleaner longer

Restoring the appearance of LVP floors to “like-new” condition is more than just cleaning. It takes a comprehensive approach that can penetrate deep into the grooves and textured surfaces of your floor for a higher level of soil removal that eliminates dirt, scuffs, grease, and other potentially harmful contaminates. HydraFresh LVC does all of this while it also helps the floor stay cleaner longer because it contains special soil inhibitors and is a low residue formula that does not contain any sticky or tacky cleaning agents. It can be used as part of a prespray and rinse system or as part of a no rinse system. The neutral PH makes it safe for luxury vinyl plank and tile floors, resilient tile floors and wood (polyurethane finish only) and laminate floors. The concentrated formula allows you to adjust the dilution ration to meet the soiling conditions of the floor. HydraFresh LVC allows you to extend the life of the flooring investment and keep it looking great all the time.

So now that the cleaning solution question is settled, what is the best equipment and tool system to get the job done?

How do you do it? There are several ways to approach this cleaning. In all of them, let the properly formulated chemical do the trick. Don’t use any old neutral floor cleaner for tile, or your favorite high power, high PH hard surface cleaner. HydraFresh LVC has been formulated specifically for these floors.

Industry instructor and consultant Shawn Bisaillon discussed this in the HydraMaster SmartShare Virtual expo recently. You can access the video here and see some of the different systems: Click here to watch this video

System 1 – Apply Solution, Agitate with CRB Machine, Mop-up, or extract with wet-dry vacuum

One proven system for this is to apply the HydraFresh LVC to the floor, then agitate it in with a counter rotating brush machine or system with the brushes appropriate for these types of floors. You can then mop or extract it up with a wet-dry vacuum.

System 2 – Apply solution, Use portable or truckmount with stationary hard surface wand, rotary hard surface wand, or extraction wand with hard surface brush glide attached

Click here to see where you can get this hard surface brush glide

Apply the Hydra-Fresh LVC to the floor with your favorite sprayer. Then  use your portable or truckmounted extractor to rinse off and extract the solution from the floor. Use it at a lower pressure (200 to 300 psi max) with a stationary hard surface tool. Hard surface brush glides are being developed that you can attach to your EVOLUTION wand which apply the proper amount of agitation and leave the floor almost dry There are also high-quality stand-alone hard surface wands made

So what about using your rotary hard surface tool? Many companies are successfully doing this. However, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

  • You don’t want to blast the floor with copious amounts of water under pressure, To get most rotary tools to spin properly, you need at least 400-800 psi of water pressure. There is also some concern by LVP flooring manufacturers that higher pressures could penetrate between the planks and allow moisture to build up underneath, potentially breaking down the adhesive, or worse, allowing for mold and mildew growth.
  • Some have questioned whether the physical rotary action of the spinner tool itself could dislodge the installation of the planks of flooring, but to a trained conscientious technician, they would immediately stop and use a different tool.

System 3 – Apply solution, Use a low pressure floor washing machine with counter rotating brushes that also has extraction capabilities

Apply the Hydra-Fresh LVC to the floor using your favorite sprayer. Some of the floor washing machines apply the solution for you, allowing you to skip the spraying step. These machines use counter rotating brushes to agitate the floor while also having vacuum recovery capabilities to pick up the cleaning solution and released soils as you go along.

System 4 – The best system for the deepest cleaning. Apply solution, Use CRB machine to agitate the cleaning solution. Use portable or truckmount with stationary (non-rotary) hard surface wand, or extraction wand with hard surface brush glide attached

Apply the Hydra-Fresh LVC to the floor using your favorite sprayer. Agitate it in with a counter rotating brush machine or system with the brushes appropriate for these types of floors. Then  use your portable or truckmounted extractor to rinse off and extract the solution from the floor. Use it at a lower pressure (200 to 300 psi max) with a stationary (not rotary) hard surface tool. Hard surface brush glides are being developed that you can attach to your EVOLUTION wand which apply the proper amount of agitation and leave the floor almost dry There are also high-quality stand-alone hard surface wands made

So how do you market all of this to Your Customer? – Make the Unobvious, Obvious!

Alright so here is the dilemma – homeowners mostly think they are getting their LVP, and laminate flooring cleaned with their favorite home remedy or method. It often even “looks clean” to the naked eye. How do you as a professional cleaner deal with that? It is quite simple and a proven successful method for selling. Make the unobvious, obvious. How do you do that? Demo, Demo, Demo! After all you are in the home anyway cleaning carpet or upholstery When you apply HydraFresh LVC from HydraMaster to their Luxury Vinyl Plank or Laminate floor and clean it with any number of methods or applications, they will see a marked difference between their so called “clean floor” and the clean floor you just provided them with.

But let’s take a quick look at marketing. In a nutshell, marketing any service or product is a 3-step process. First you need a marketing message. One that we have found to be effective without being overtly threatening is “bacteria does not leave footprints. “We have developed two special marketing print/electronic ads which convey this message you can use or customize to your business.

Now that you have the message defined, choose your delivery system – the second step in marketing. You can use your social media pages, your email programs, your company newsletter, or even printed flyers you can “five around” with. The catch headline and quick summary of what you are going to accomplish well beyond making their floor look better may need to be delivered to them more than three times before they will start to react. So don’t get too dependent upon one single delivery system.

The third part of marketing is what your desired outcome is. Now that may seem obvious. You want a sale. But sometimes we forget that timing is often the most important key to getting a sale. If now is not the time, then your desired outcome can often be permission to do more marketing, or the opportunity to do a demonstration on their LVP floors the next time you clean the carpets.

How much do you charge? Generally about the same as you would to deep clean their ceramic tile.

Your customer invested in the LVP floor they did for specific aesthetic and “livability” advantages. Plus, they want and desire a healthier atmosphere for their home. Of course, they want it to look great to.

It has never been more important to have a business plan – your future growth is counting on it

First, the carpet cleaning and restoration industry has not seen inflationary pressures like it is undergoing right now since the early 1980’s. Secondly, I am not sure it has ever seen anything that resembles the challenges facing the supply chain right now to get basic raw ingredients and components into the hands of the companies that make them into finished equipment, tools, accessories, and even chemicals for your cleaning and restoration business. Engine manufacturers and other major component manufacturers are saying to expect 6 month or longer lead times on new orders while at the same time announcing retroactive price increases on all existing and future orders. In reviewing plans with some of these strategic vendors, there is a strong belief that there will continue to be a great deal of volatility through most, if not all of 2022.  There is little doubt that your cleaning and restoration company has begun to feel some of the effects of these two major impacts; either in paying more for the equipment you need and/or in waiting longer for your orders to be fulfilled. At least for now , the time is gone when you could call up your local distributor and order virtually any major product and expect immediate delivery. Perhaps the many years our industry has thrived and allowed us to get what we needed right when we wanted it has led us too far away from building future equipment and tools needs into our business plans.

So just how does that affect you? As I am writing this article in late January of 2022, many professional carpet cleaning and restoration companies are anticipating and sometimes even planning for exponential growth in their businesses in the coming months. They may anticipate a need for additional truckmounts, portable extractors, rotary extractors, wands, and drying equipment come April through December to facilitate this growth. Here is the hang-up. In the past, if the needed a new truckmount to start working on jobs May 15th, they could order them typically in the latter part of April from their local distributor. In this new environment we are presently working in, if they wait until the latter part of April to communicate their wishes to their distributor, they will find out the industry often has three-to-nine-month lead times on virtually every machine, especially if they are looking for a reputable national brand like HydraMaster.

If you need new equipment, tools, and accessories in the coming 24 months, I would encourage you to build that into your growth plan now. Communicate with your local distributor about what you anticipate your needs to be. Get the product on order as soon as possible, If you are going to get it financed, get approved now so the equipment order can get into the system. You should likely not have to make any payments on the financing until your machine is installed. But do it now, don’t wait. If you are not very good at or don’t know how to write a business plan, get with a trusted industry consultant who can help you do that and give you a working template to start from. A few consultants you can consider to help you in developing a business plan are John Braun at Hitman Advertising (www.hitmanadvertising.com) ; Steve Toburen at Strategies for Success (https://sfs.jondon.com/); or Chuck Violand at Violand Management Associates (https://violand.com/). We also encourage you to work alongside your local HydraMaster Distributor in helping you to plan for your future equipment needs. They can provide you with the latest information on lead times and pricing, so you can have what you need when you need it to reach your goals in growing your business

Take The Next Step to Escalator Cleaning

Why clean the treads in escalators and moving sidewalks?

Escalators are often a necessary mainstay in modern commercial buildings and structures. They can be found in airports, sports stadiums, movie theaters, hotels, shopping centers, and even retail stores. The high degree of traffic and use leads to these treads getting incredibly dirty. Soil, dirt, food and beverage spills, gum, and anything else that is being tracked on to the escalator by the users. The grooves in the tread area are a magnet for impacted soil and the sticky nature of the built-up soiling often makes it difficult to remove.

So what issues are associated with dirty treads in escalators and moving sidewalks?

  1. The first issue with this build-up of soils and grease make the escalator unhygienic. What is worse is that recent studies of how mucus, bacteria, germs, fecal matter, and blood can be tracked throughout a facility on the shoes of the patrons extends to escalators too. It is not just dirt and soil you are cleaning up after in a commercial building.
  2. The second issue is that this build-up of soil and sticky matter can actually be damaging to the escalator itself, increasing maintenance costs and decreasing the useful life of the mechanisms. A large part of this soil and dirt can not be seen, as it becomes trapped under the mechanisms beneath the top of the escalator, requiring an increase in maintenance and a reduction of useful life.
  3. The third issue is that if the escalator is unsightly and soiled, it gives the building occupants, patrons and users a negative overall impression of the entire facility.
  4. A final issue is the increase in likelihood of a “slip and fall” complaint related to the soiled tread. As the tread becomes filled with soil, the slip resistance factor is reduced and the floor can even become slippery. Proper cleaning of the treads can help stabilize foot contact and prevent slipping or falling.

What are the challenges in cleaning the treads on an escalator?

  • Traditional cleaning called for the escalator treads to be disassembled, taken outside and pressure washed. This came at a HUGE cost – including downtime, labor, and the potential challenges associated with re-assembly.
  • Since the escalator treads are not flat surfaces, they will require mechanisms which can get down into the grooves of the treads.
  • Facilities can have escalators with varying widths
  • Most cleaning machines or methods are highly labor intensive.
  • The use of wet or moisture laden cleaning systems can drain between the steps and enter the working mechanisms of the escalator, potentially causing lubrication to be lost or reduced and causing damage to the system
  • The work usually has to be done at night.
  • Most systems don’t partner with a handrail cleaning system.

So what is the solution to cleaning escalator and moving walkway treads?

The TreadMaster Automatic Escalator Cleaner cleans treads and moving walkways effortlessly. For more than 30 years, the TreadMaster has been the leading escalator and moving walkway cleaner worldwide when it comes to cost, simplicity, and ease of operation. This self-contained, compact unit cleans and polishes unsightly stair treads.

The unique, hands-off system:

  • Cleans and polishes in one continuous motion
  • First the brush cleans inside the tread step
  • Then the pad polishes the tread step
  • Powerful vacuum collects all residue
  • Brings back and restores the original luster
  • Cleans escalators and moving walkways effortlessly without needing staff supervision.
  • Uses 98% less labor than conventional methods
  • Brush sizes are available to fit 23”, 24”, 32” and 40” width escalators (most are 40”)

TreadMaster cleaning is efficient. The ease of set-up and take-down makes cleaning escalator treads and moving walkways a “hands-off” job. The TreadMaster frees up personnel to perform other tasks while the TreadMaster is at work. The built-in vacuum system, easily replaceable heavy duty polishing pad, and nylon-grit brush ensures complete and thorough cleaning

TreadMaster cleaning is safe. The one-stop, automatic cleaning eliminates risky, manual cleaning procedures. TreadMaster removes unsafe substances from stair tread surfaces, reducing the risk of liability hazards for customers and employees. The TreadMaster also comes with a handy clip-on
“ESCALATOR CLEANING IN PROGRESS” sign to deter escalator passengers.

So how does the TreadMaster Escalator Cleaning System Work?

The TreadMaster utilizes a simple three-step operation process

  1. Simply position the TreadMaster at the bottom of the escalator
  2. Lower the cleaning head into position
  3. Activate the escalator.

Without any repositioning during any part of the cleaning process, the TreadMaster cleans the tread width completely and thoroughly. Most escalators respond best to multiple hours of cleaning with the TreadMaster.

The TreadMaster does not clean the platform, step risers (although a manual brush for the risers is included with your TreadMaster), or the hand-rails.

What cleaning solutions do you use with the TreadMaster?

The TreadMaster System is designed to be used “dry” – that is the agitation of the stiff brushes and the movement of the escalator itself create an effective agitation process. However sometimes you encounter sticky or greasy spots and soiling on the escalator that will need chemical treatment. Escalator Tread Spot Cleaner from HydraMaster is a volatile solvent, aerosol-based cleaner. This fast acting spot cleaner is designed specially for use on aluminum escalator steps. It helps to remove oily and sticky spots and spills and gum that the brushes of the TreadMaster could not. You simply spray it on the spots and spills while the TreadMaster is working for best and fastest results. It can also be used in between TreadMaster cleanings for spot and spill treatment. Escalator  Tread Spot Cleaner is non-flammable and non-conductive so it can be used while motor and equipment are operating. Because it is applied as an aerosol and completely evaporates, it can be safely and effectively used on escalators and moving walkway treads without any fears of getting two much moisture down into the working mechanisms of the escalator – effecting lubrication and potentially causing irreversible damage.

So how can you learn more?

If you are interested in taking the next step to learn more about comprehensive cleaning programs for escalators and moving walkways, we invite you to visit our website at hydramaster.com/product/treadmaster. There you will find links to more information about the TreadMaster System and the TreadMaster Escalator Spot Tread Cleaner.