Description
Our goal with this manual is to help you create a full-service and higher profit cleaning and repair company. The skills we teach will enable you to expand your offerings and strengthen and build the relationship with your higher-end clients.
This information was originally assembled to be a class workbook for our three day Advanced Hard-Surface course and has morphed into an all-encompassing how-to manual that can be of great value to carpet cleaning professionals looking to expand their service offerings. One-stop shopping, especially for home services, is appreciated by the types of clients you want to be working for. We hope that studying this information will make you hungry for more and that we see you in class someday.
While no trade can be taught thoroughly in only a few pages, the solid foundation you will learn in this manual will help you develop a new skill set which can provide a valuable income stream to compliment your other cleaning services. As with most things in life, practice makes perfect and as you are about to see, we are here to learn and practice A LOT!
The two of us have been involved in the cleaning industry as technicians, instructors, influencers, salesmen, and manufacturer representatives for a combined 53 years, and we both agree that the most important element of mastering the subjects covered in this manual is being able to positively identify every surface and fabric that you’ll find in a client’s home. This will be discussed more throughout the chapters, but we just cannot emphasize it enough. If you are not able to do this yet, make it your goal to use every home and business that you walk into to practice your ID skills.
Congratulations on investing in yourself and your craft. Good luck!
Advanced Multi-Surface Repair and Care Manual
Bryan Thomson and Mike Pailliotet
Introduction
Chapter 1: Man-Made Tile Floors
Identification
Modern Porcelain Issues
Porcelain Splotchiness Remedy
Unglazed/Porous Porcelain
Chemistry
The pH Scale
Tool Choices
Baseboards
Cleaning Tile and Grout in Kitchens
Shower Stalls and Bathtub Surrounds
Toolbox Additions
Email and Blog examples
Chapter 2: Wood and Vinyl Floor Cleaning & Care
Introduction
Identification
Troubleshooting
Cleaning Methods
Tools Needed
Topicals/Stripping and Application
Flat Mop information
Chapter 3: Natural Stone Floors & Countertops
Chemistry
Stone Resurfacing Overview
Clean, Condition, and Seal Stone Countertops
Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Granite Identification
Tools Needed: Recondition/Top Clean vs. Resurface/Restoration
Supplies Needed for Reconditioning and Top Cleaning Granite
Procedure for Granite Reconditioning and Top Cleaning
Supplies Needed for Reconditioning and Top Cleaning Calcites
Chip Repair
Travertine Hole Filling
Backsplashes
Chapter 4: Penetrative and Topical Sealers
Sales
Sealers
Penetrating/Impregnating Sealers Absorption Test
Types of Penetrating Sealers Topical Coatings/Sealer Finish
Topical Coatings/Sealer Finish
Chapter 5: Grout and Caulking Repair
Introduction
Repair
Color and Brand Selection
Fortified Grout
Epoxy-Fortified Grout
Flexible Alternatives
Color Sealing, Application, and Removal
Backsplash, Bathtub, and Undermount Sink Re-caulking
Chapter 6: On-Site Area Rug Cleaning
Introduction
Identification
Troubleshooting
Cleaning Methods
Equipment
Chapter 7: A final word from Bryan
Chapter 8
Acquisition lists for work and vehicles and sales vehicles
“Mike Pailliotet and Bryan Thomson have produced the most thorough and complete manual on the subject of hard surface cleaning and repair that either of us has seen. With the steady decline of wall-to-wall installed carpeting in homes and buildings, the ability of a cleaning company to service hard surfaces is more critical than ever. The very survival of a cleaning company may depend on its owner’s willingness and ability to service these floors.
We were especially impressed with the inspection steps, most all cleaning jobs may fail before they begin if obstacles to achieving a successful result are not discovered ahead of time.
The color photos and diagrams also helped better explain concepts that otherwise might elude someone not already familiar with the materials they will be cleaning.
We both found the section on area rug cleaning a pleasant surprise. While not directly related to hard surface care, it is surely in the interests of any cleaning company that is doing such work to address those items that need to be rolled up and moved to do the work, and when possible, to leave all of the home or building’s floor and floor coverings clean.
Nicely done Mike and Bryan”
– Lee & Jim Pemberton
Jim Walthall –
Our company has only been providing hard surface care/restoration for 7 years. I am always looking for complimentary services and ways to improve our processes. This manual and course provided both. Hats off to Mike and Bryan for pulling this together. It should be something everyone should consider for adding services and/or improving the level of care to their customers.
adam.stricker (verified owner) –
Mike Pailliotet you and Bryan Thomson really out did yourselves with this book for dummies, I mean newbies. Thank you for creating this book, it’s amazing! It is a very easy read. I like the fact that it has color pictures and don’t leave you asking yourself, what did I miss.
If you don’t have this book and you want to learn how to clean or repair tile & grout, just get this book. It covers so much more like Natural stone, vinyl, and all the sealers, identifying all the different surfaces. I got it @ http://www.GreenGlides.com for like $250 and it was literally at my house the next day. I own Epic-Results Stone, Tile & Carpet Cleaning in Northern California and every technician will have one of these books. http://www.Epic-Results.com