Most household appliances have an impressive life span. According to Women’s Day magazine, the average refrigerator or cook top can last for more than a decade. With proper maintenance, a washer and dryer can clean and dry clothes for ten years or more. Even a garbage disposal lasts 12 years. Vacuums, on the other hand, have a much more modest outlook for life expectancy, and there are no guarantees. Why are vacuum cleaners the household problem child?

Ongoing maintenance and upkeep of vacuum cleaners is required to extend their usable life. Bags must be replaced at least once a month, depending on the frequency of use. They should really be swapped out more often in areas with high concentrations of hair or fur. Belt maintenance is even more important, because the machine’s belt will largely determine the life of the motor.

Since vacuums move large volumes of air through their working parts to remove dirt, maintaining airflow is crucial to their effectiveness. This means that keeping air filters clean and clear of debris is paramount. Should a filter get clogged or so dirty that no air is able to move through the motor, a vacuum will no longer be effective. It will also create a strained operating environment for the motor, decreasing its working life span.

If you operate a vacuum at significant volume as a part of your business, then you might consider restoring vacuums that you or your team use frequently. By taking a few calculated steps, you will improve your machine’s performance and make your jobs more productive, all while reducing energy waste and leaving cleaner air behind you.

Replace your filters. Locate the filter in your vacuum and swap it out for a new one. For HEPA filters, you would now plan to do this every couple of months.

Check and change your belt. The belt is the lifeline to your motor. If it is worn out, you run the risk of it snapping and damaging the vital components of your vacuum. When you do this, be careful to achieve an ideal tension. If your belt is too tight, you will wear out the motor on your machine a lot faster.

Replace the brush roll. Most vacuums sweep dirt away from carpeted surfaces by rolling a brush across the surface at a rapid rate. Over time, the brushes will wear down. If your machine has removable brush strips, simply replace them. If it doesn’t, you might need to replace the roller entirely.

With routine maintenance, you will be able to keep your machine running at top performance. The more durable your machine, the less likely you are to have to repeat the restoration process. There are significant differences between residential and commercial floor care machines. When you are purchasing a vacuum, make sure you buy right the first time. Industrial machines have sturdy metal chassis and fans, as opposed to cheaper plastic counterparts in consumer lines.

For any growing business, offering the right services is one of the cornerstones of success. In the world of floor care, it may seem impressive to offer a host of services to your clients. If you take the time to spec out more complicated jobs and bids, you might find that an honest look at your capabilities can come up short. Concrete cleaning, for example, requires a number of specialized tools to yield a professional outcome.

Carefully considering your firm’s capabilities is also crucial to its long-term success. Over-promising or under-delivering are pitfalls for even the most savvy business men and women. Cleaning concrete floors is no simple task. What your clients might not realize is that creating a professional polish that reaches deep into the tightest overhangs and corners will make a substantial impact on the aesthetic in their environment. This is particularly important for storefronts and show rooms with a larger, more industrial design scheme.

Without the right tools, neither you nor your clients will be able to achieve the most desirable result. By equipping yourself with a multi-purpose edger, you will find that doors can open through referrals that have been previously remained closed.

With recent innovations in the floorcare machine technology, you might be surprised at just how advanced these newer, multi-purpose machines are getting. Onfloor Technologies has recently wowed customers with its impressive lineup of cost-effective, cutting-edge machinery. Onfloor’s Edger-MPL is a prime example of their product offerings. The machine features a flexible trigger for seamless startup which is also equipped with a safety mechanism that prevents the device from powering on accidentally. The durable frame is composed of steel, with a matching heavy-duty handle that is strong and durable but can also be removed quickly from transport or storage. Customers find a pleasant surprise in the powerful motor that is packed into a tight package. Dual capacitors deliver 5 horsepower at 3450 RPM, which is plenty of power and speed to polish concrete.

The real wow factor for this machine lies in its unbelievably low profile. Powered by this machine, you can polish a 16-inch path of concrete nearly a foot underneath overhangs as low as 3.35 inches. The machine is also precise. Equipped with adjustable wheels and casters that serve as a guide, the operator can easily reposition them with a convenient knob. There is no need to worry about an uneven finish, either, because it is equipped with a bubble level that yields a smooth, even operation without argument.

Finding a concrete finishing machine that can handle an entire floor, wall to wall and still refinish those hard to reach areas is extremely difficult. With the Edger-MPL, you will have the tools you need to produce a professional quality job in no time.

Clients often wonder what makes a professional floor resurfacing or concrete floor cleaning job stand above a DIY or bargain approach. The difference between your work and the work of your closest competitor rests in the details. The little aspects of even the biggest jobs can have a massive impact on customer satisfaction. They can also mean the difference between a referral and the cold shoulder. With more and more businesses and homeowners in North America choosing concrete floors, there is an increased demand for professionals in the field.

Despite the lack of expertise and capability of most general custodians, businesses will always try to take care of their refinishing in house if they can avoid the expense of hiring a professional. Even some of the smaller businesses in your area might own their own floor care machine. The device will typically be a multi-purpose tool that covers many applications. It will grind, polish and likely vacuum. While there are always exceptions to the rule, the average multi-purpose machine will rarely do a professional quality job in every area. One machine might have an exceptionally fine polishing capability, but its grinder might not apply enough pressure. Or, a powerful machine might lack the finesse it takes to polish a concrete floor to acceptable standards.

An area where even the most capable machine might struggle is edging. An all purpose edger will allow you to maneuver within close proximity of walls, reaching into corners and edges that most machines will never touch. Relatively affordable machines such as Onfloor’s Edge-251 are ideal for concrete. Where finesse is a concern, these expert machines have a unique gear system that maintains flawless pressure, leaving a professional polish that is almost impossible to replicate. For even more precision and control, the Edge-MPL can reach even further into overhangs, with a clearance of just 3.25 inches. It can also be tooled for use on hardwood floors, adding versatility to its list of benefits.

By demonstrating your ability to create a clean, professional polish the reaches as far as a customer’s eye, you might be surprised at the type of accounts you are able to secure. It only takes one job of delivering excellent work. Your client will notice the difference and help you spread the word about your services. Edger cleaners are an excellent investment for your business.

Resurfacing a floor can be a labor intensive operation. Depending on the size of the space, it can be completely overwhelming to most contractors. The average size of a big box retailer in the United States is anywhere from 180,000 to 250,000 square feet, according to the New Rules Project. This translates into roughly 5 acres of floor surface. Finding the resources to finish the floor is only half the battle. In addition to considerable time, labor and equipment requirements, most jobs lead to a drawn-out cleanup process.

Refinishing a concrete floor, for example, creates massive amounts of dust that must be removed immediately. For most jobs, an industrial sweeper or heavy duty vacuum will help mitigate debris and harmful dust. These machines slow down operation time and are an added expense. If you extrapolate the load out to the scale of most large businesses, using traditional tools really is not feasible on several levels. The cost to rent or purchase the equipment and the manpower required to operate all of it would drive most contractors out of bidding range. As an alternative, some innovative manufacturers are tooling their heavy duty floor care machines with native vacuum components that cut the job time considerably.

Creteboss is a formidable floor care machine that combines best-in-class technology with a highly effective heavy duty vacuum. Its capacity to multi-task is unrivaled in the industry. Patented, proprietary systems make this elite machine the perfect replacement for old, outdated equipment. It can polish 54 inches in a single pass. Or, it can deliver more than 1,500 pounds of continuous grinding pressure. Whether you are grinding or polishing, each of the three planetary bowls are also connected to a vacuum. No more messy cleanup after the job is done. For the jobs that take extra vacuum power, the DoubleVac lets you apply the impressive 500 cfm suction to a dedicated vacuum stage.

As a bonus, this machine is a rider, making all of this productivity possible for a single operator. Onfloor has taken great care to reduce the maintenance requirements on their machines as well. The Creteboss also hosts an automatic filtering system called Autoblast. The 200 square feet of filter is automatically cleaned continuously, requiring less frequent stops than the average machine. All of its vital components can be maintained with household tools as well. This saves even more time with maintenance.

If you plan to offer floor preparation services to any of the larger retailers, bringing the right tools could be the difference between repeat business and failure.

Expensive stone floors such as marble, granite, slate and terrazzo are relatively easy to keep clean and maintain. When people encounter stains or incidental damage that causes discoloration, however, they will often turn to a professional. What causes terrazzo to stain, and what solutions can floorcare professionals offer?

Researchers at the University of Florida noted that many home owners have forgotten how to care for their terrazzo floors, even though routine maintenance is actually quite easy. Citing the tile’s composition, being a combination of Portland cement and marble, they point to the porous, absorbent cement portion of terrazzo as the problematic ingredient. While around seventy percent of terrazzo’s surface will be marble, the rest is prone to staining and must be maintained rigorously.

If a terrazzo floor is dull and does not respond to polishing and cleaning, it likely needs to be refinished completely. When a new terrazzo floor is installed, it should be finished with a thin coat of sealer. If it wasn’t in the beginning, or if the sealer appears to have worn off, repeat the process for your client. Many floors will be covered in a wax which is actually unnecessary if the sealant is intact. Strip the wax, making sure that every square inch of surface is stripped. Clean the tile thoroughly and remove any stains. After any blemishes are removed, resealing the floor for your client will allow them to maintain its appearance on their own.

While this process is simple for a professional, it is extremely labor intensive without the right tools. A single terrazzo cleaning machine is the only tool you need to complete these jobs. Look for a stonecare machine with a built in reservoir that can handle the cleaning and water removal. Stripping and polishing can also be done with the same machine.

Onfloor’s suite of stonecare machines offers a variety of sizes to suit almost any terrazzo restoration or cleaning job. For tighter spaces or non-symmetrical layouts, the 10 inch stonecare machine is a sure bet. It is comfortable and durable, with a host of design features that increase its usability and reduce fatigue while maximizing the life of the machine. The planetary gear system is permanently lubricated, taking one ongoing maintenance item of your list. The real time amp meter and adjustable weights allow the operator to manage the surface pressure incrementally without stepping outside of the recommended amperage range.

In addition to being convenient, the machine is safe. The extra long 50 foot power cable is water resistant. The extra large handlebars feature non-conductive triggers situated on both sides, and they are equipped with a safety lockout feature to keep the machine from starting accidentally. You will be amazed at how well Onfloor’s floorcare machines can handle the toughest, most demanding jobs.

With hundreds of varieties of floor cleaning machines flooding the market, floor care professionals often search for a review of some of the best floor machines available. What criteria should you scrutinize when comparing floor care machines?

First, look at durability. How long will the machine last? Cheaper machines might save in the short run, but if they need to be replaced twice as often, it isn’t necessarily a buyer’s bargain. Also consider the cleaning path of the machine and how quickly it can complete tasks. Investing in a quick, effective machine will save you considerably on personnel over the life of the machine. The longer the life, the more value is added in the buyer’s favor. Maintenance is another major concern. If a machine will require costly maintenance, or if parts are expensive and difficult to replace, it might not be a good investment. Finally, it is always important to consider price. Buying the cheapest machine is rarely the best option. Never shop by price alone, keeping in mind that there is much more to a floor machine than its price. Furthermore, the lasting value of the machine will always outweigh the cost over time.

When it comes to the most efficient, effective machines that offer a host of features and uses, industry darling Onfloor produces some of the most versatile floor car machines available today. Spec for spec, they perform on every level. Consider the Onfloor54 and Swoop34 concrete polishing systems as a case study.

Multi-purpose machines have their place, but most contractors require a machine that is especially designed to deliver quick, high quality performance in a specialized area. But maintenance costs have long precluded many contractors from buying in the specialized market. The Onfloor54 offers serious effectiveness in concrete grinding and polishing, with a wide 54-inch work path. The design takes ongoing maintenance to heart, making it easy and affordable to keep it running like new with ordinary tools. Three independently motored heads provide the work path, with each bowl receiving 5 horse power from durable independent motors. The heads float independently from each other, delivering an extraordinarily smooth finish.

This usable machine is also surprisingly comfortable, with special design features that reduce fatigue and increase the effectiveness of the operator. It features an adjustable handle that floats to the operator’s height. The heavy motors are also easy to service, with a standard lift system that makes swapping out machine heads quick and care free.

Speed is seriously important, especially with the demand of fast paved contractors. For a quick concrete cleaning job, take a look at the Swoop34 rotary polisher. It is one of Onfloor’s quicker machines, and it offers direct drive motors with a work path of 34 inches. The manufacturer estimates that a single operator can finish a 5,000 square foot concrete floor in a single work day.

For floor care professionals who rely on high-quality equipment to drive their business, there could not be a better time to upgrade. With an impressive selection of new ride on automatic scrubbers on the market today, consider your options before you submit your next big bid.

Ride-on floor machines come in an array of styles and varieties, and they are trending toward smaller machines with wider cleaning capacity. Of these newer machines, some are built efficiently enough to run on battery power, but few have mastered the combination of compact design and wireless performance. Traditionally, these battery-powered floor machines are quick, often completing an average cleaning cycle in less than half the time of conventional walk-behind scrubbers. This boost in productivity is welcome in an industry where time is money, but the machines can be bulky and difficult to maintain.

As with other battery-powered technologies, these machines must be large enough to house a number of heavy, bulky batteries. Mastercraft’s Sauber machines aim to reverse this trend by presenting more compact, maneuverable machines to the market. They feature a tight turning radius and a narrower chassis, allowing the machines to glide through hallways and corridors while cleaning right up to the edge of the flooring surface. They apply a heavy 160 pounds of brush pressure, but they are still stable with a four-wheel chassis. The true value of the machines is in their cleaning capacity. Self-adjusting brushes find the right position and level automatically, ensuring an even, efficient cleaning every time.

With technology advancing at such a rapid rate, floor care professionals are delighted to find other impressive innovations within their industry. Battery powered scrubbers and automatic floor scrubbers have been available for many years, but some manufacturers are taking these machines to a new level of sophistication.

Mastercraft’s Variotech series, for example, gives its operator the flexibility necessary to clean areas of variable sizes by offering an adjustable-width cleaning surface.  They added another level of precision and control with a patented technology they call U-Turn. The brush heads float freely on a telescopic base that allows the operator to rotate them up to 200 degrees in either direction. If dying batteries are a hindrance to your workflow, the Variotech will also let you swap out the expelled batteries for fresh, charged ones on the fly. No more waiting for the machine to recharge on the job.

Efficiency is becoming an industry standard, an according to ISSA’s most recent survey of industry trends for 2012, energy is still king. The Variotech is remarkably efficient for its size and effective cleaning area, with high-efficiency, low horse power motors.

There are plenty of standard floorcare machines that are powered by batteries. Owners of these machines benefit from a wireless cleaning experience, never having to stop to move power cables from place to place. Newer machines such as the Mastercraft Sauber Ride-On Scrubber offer just as much cleaning power as their wired counterparts. The machine comes in two scrubbing path sizes, 30 inches in the RA 800 and 34 inches in the RA 900. Its batteries offer a competitive 4-hour use on each charge, making it possible to complete a large surface area on one charge. Since the Sauber is fifty percent faster than a comparably sized walk-behind scrubber, it can compete well in terms of coverage. If you need more time per charge, look into other options in the battery-powered floor machine market.

If maximum battery life is your top priority, consider the growing market of robotic floor machines. The popular Roomba from iRobot is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of floor machines that operate without direct human control. Automatic industrial scrubbers such as the Robo 40, for example, can clean more than 12,000 square feet of floor without human action. A trained custodian can oversee the machine’s operation. The Robo 40 is controlled by a smart navigation system that is informed by a number of sensors on the device. The best part about robotic scrubbers such as this is its battery life. The Robo 40 can operate for 6 hours on a single charge, taking only 4 hours to charge completely.

As with all floor equipment, keeping them in like-new condition through ongoing maintenance will improve machine life. By establishing a routine maintenance schedule for your equipment, you can also increase the life of your batteries. Caring for batteries is simple. In order to keep them running at their full capacity and potential, always check on them periodically and store them properly. If your machine is used regularly, the batteries can remain intact. If you only use it periodically, consider disconnecting your batteries between uses. Always store your battery-powered equipment in a safe, cool place, as heat exposure can damage batteries.

If your batteries have water levels, check them regularly. Also ensure that any connections between your batteries and the floor machine are secure and clean. A dirty or corroded connector can mean trouble for the batteries. If you have standard acid batteries (most machines do), charge them completely on a fixed schedule to ensure long-term battery life. Always charge the batteries completely prior to use, and do not over-charge them.

Refinishing wood floors is a messy job. Stripping, sanding, sealing, waxing and polishing wood floors takes a good deal of time and a considerable amount of equipment. Professionals know to expect a good deal of dust in any high square-footage floor restoration. They also get used to stopping the job to cleanup periodically, often sweeping, mopping or vacuuming. By having a commercial vacuum on hand that is designed for dust control, you can control airborne dust and reduce clean up time.

The Dynavac is designed to clean up dust particles that are created during a sanding or finishing phase. Its value comes from a high-capacity tank that holds eight gallons of dust, along with a powerful motor. A special coated filter and shaker system allows you to remove dust throughout the project, saving you time normally spent cleaning or replacing filters.

With a dust control vacuum, you can decrease job time and maximize the efficiency of your crew. The Dynavac can easily be emptied on the fly, making more room for dust. You will also save money on filters.

After the job is finished, consider recommending a high-capacity vacuum to your client. They can also be used to control incidental dust as it accumulates without damaging the finish. Having a capable vacuum on hand will increase their ability to maintain the look and feel of their new floor. This is particularly valuable in retail spaces where proprietors or property owners will be motivated to keep their floors looking shiny and new.

Wood floors are magnets for dust. Almost as soon as you clean it, more dust will begin to accumulate. This is why dust control is almost a separate issue from cleaning wood floors. It is essential to the maintenance of wood surfaces, and your clients will benefit from a quick education on floor care.

Keeping floor surfaces dust free is more than a simple cosmetic issue. Dusty floors are slippery, and they can be a safety hazard to people in socks or soft-soled shoes. They are also unsanitary. Dust mites, often overlooked as a cause of various health problems related to unclean air, can thrive in environments where dust is allowed to fester.

Establishing a plan for routine care is essential to the long term health of newly finished wood surfaces. Discuss a cleaning plan and be sure to recommend an interval between deep cleanings and refinishing. This interval will depend on the type of space and its intended use, along with its size and the foot traffic the owner expects per year.

Stone floors are expensive, and anyone willing to make such an investment in their floor needs to be aware of the maintenance requirements unique to stone. Stone is a popular choice because of its aesthetic quality. Whether the surface is marble, granite, travertine or any other natural stone variation, property owners have a responsibility to keep them looking the way they do when they are new. By promoting routine maintenance of stone floors between cleanings, you can add value to your business and ensure that the floors will look great every time you attend to them.

These simple tips might seem redundant or too elementary to share, but it is easy to forget these floor care basics. Offer a gentle reminder of the following tips, or create a floor care “cheat sheet” of maintenance tips.

Use Soap, Not Detergent
Remind your client that they should never use detergents on stone floors. Simple dish soap or a castile soap is ideal for mopping, and it will not leave a residue if rinsed properly. To maintain a lustrous finish, never use a vinegar-based cleaner on stone. To remove mold or mildew, a solution of bleach and hot water will do, but always avoid mixing bleach and ammonia.

Use Door Mats and Rugs
By properly placing mats and rugs, your clients can drastically reduce the amount of dirt, grit and sand that is tracked onto their floors. Staging mats at high-traffic entry points and identifying the best placement for rugs and runners can help protect the finish on stone flooring without making it any less beautiful.

Lift, Don’t Drag
When moving furniture around on stone, it is important to lift and place it in its desired location. Dragging furniture across stone can damage it. Encourage your clients to arrange their furniture when enough spare hands are available to do it properly.

Vacuum Often
Sweeping stone floors is an easy way to get rid of dust, but it is not ideal for the finish. Instead, recommend using a vacuum to remove particles that could scratch surfaces. Some floor care machines actually vacuum as a part of their cleaning process, so it might be best to recommend routine professional cleaning for large, commercial surfaces.

Establish a Maintenance Plan
Most commercial spaces and large homes are too much for a property owner or manager to maintain on their own. The value you provide with your services is welcome, and you can ensure that you meet those expectations by using the best tools available. A comprehensive stone care system from On Floor makes quick work of refinishing, polishing or burnishing concrete, tile and stone floors.