Residential & Industrial Cleaning Co.

Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1988

Basic Components

All hot water extraction carpet cleaning systems share two components:

¨ A water pressurization system to allow transport of the cleaning solution from a storage tank to the solution distribution jets just above the carpet.  There are two considerations when evaluating the water pressurization system:

à Pressure is rated using pounds per square inch (psi).  In general, psi systems do a better job of cleaning as they do a better job of injecting solution into the carpet where it can dissolve oils and loosen dirt.  Units with a rating of 500-600 psi should have adequate pressure to clean most carpets.  Carpet cleaning is not the same as pressure washing, however.  Too much pressure can force water through the carpet backing into the pad, which is undesirable.

à A second important component is rate of water flow, which is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm).  Very good systems can produce 5 cfm.

A high pressure with a low rate of flow creates a mist, which does not penetrate.  Low pressure and high flow gets enough solution to the carpet, but does not loosen dirt and oil as effectively.  The combination of pressure and rate of flow are what makes a system clean effectively.

¨ A vacuum system to extract the oils and dirt loosened up by the pressure and cleaning solution, then transport this mixture back to a recovery tank.  The units for measuring vacuum, oddly enough, are inches of mercury (see: Measuring Vacuum) .  When comparing carpet cleaning equipment, top of the line equipment will have a vacuum rating of ~15 “Hg.

Truck mount systems and some commercial portables will also have a heat exchanger to raise the temperature of the supply solution.  This raises the temperature of the supply solution from room temperature to a higher temperature, increasing its cleaning effectiveness.  Truck mount systems can generate very high temperatures, but temperatures higher than ~190-210° F are not needed for normal carpet cleaning, and can be detrimental in some cases.

Direct Drive Truck Mount

A direct drive truck mounted system has a power take off (PTO) unit that is driven by the truck’s engine, and a heat exchanger for the hot water supply.  The PTO drives the vacuum system and the water pressurization system.  These units generally cost in excess of $10,000.

 

Truck Mounted Systems

Truck mounted systems are carpet cleaning systems that are mounted in a truck, typically in a commercial van. 

· Highest psi

· Highest cfm

· High temperature

· Highest horsepower

· Highest reliability

· Highest “Hg

Slide in units generate their own  power and heat.

Slide In Truck Mount

A slide in truck mounted system is self-contained. It uses a small gasoline engine to generate its own power and heat.  These units generally cost in excess of $10,000.

 

· Highest psi

· Highest cfm

· Highest temperature

· High horsepower

· High reliability

· High “Hg

Commercial portable units generate their own  power and may generate heat.

Commercial Portable

A commercial portable is self-contained.  It uses electric motors for vacuum and water pressurization, and may include a heating element to heat the cleaning solution.  Top of the line units require separate circuits for the power and heat element connections.  These units generally cost between $500 and $3,500.

· Moderate psi

· Moderate cfm

· Moderate/low temperature

· Moderate horsepower

· Moderate “Hg

· High reliability

· Best option for jobsites that are hard to get to

Consumer portable units generate their own  power, but typically do not generate heat.

Consumer Portable

A consumer portable is self-contained.  It uses electric motors for vacuum and water pressurization, and may include a heating element to heat the cleaning solution.  Top of the line units require separate circuits for the power and heat element connections.  These units generally cost under $300.

· Low psi

· Low cfm

· Low temperature

· Low horsepower

· Low “Hg

· Good reliability

Truck Mounted vs. Portable Hot Water Extraction

There are two basic technology options for hot water extraction, truck mounted systems and portable systems.  Within each of these basic divisions there are another two breakdowns as follows:

¨ Truck Mounted systems

¨ Direct Drive systems

¨ Slide In systems

¨ Portable systems

¨ Commercial Portable systems

¨ Consumer Portable systems

· Highest psi

· Highest cfm

· Highest temperature

· Highest “Hg

Direct drive units utilize the vehicle’s engine for power and heat.

Phone:      877-209-6117 (toll free in the US)

                 704-821-1233

                 704-261-1233

E-mail:  CustomerService@ricinc.net

Which equipment is Right for you?

Entire site copyright © 2006 by Residential & Industrial Cleaning Company.