6 Ways to Finance Your New Floor Scrubber

 

The pricing on new floor cleaning equipment can range a great deal.  Small Walk Behind units start at a few thousand dollars depending on mechanical structure and durability.  Riding units can reach $20,000.00 and more depending on size, capacity and options.  How you finance these productive cleaning machines depends on a lot of variables that need to be considered during the purchase process.

If you have a smaller facility and only intend to purchase 1 or 2 machines than an outright purchase may be suitable.  But if you have a facility that requires many units including vacuums, sweepers, scrubbers, extractors, burnishers and other pieces, you may want to look into creative financing to structure the cost of the required equipment.  Here are some of the more common ways to finance equipment.

Outright Purchase:  This is typically the most common because people may not realize they have options. Cash, check, credit cards are all commonly used.  If you are using a credit card be prepared to possibly pay a little more since the seller will have to pay the credit card fees associated with the transaction.

Short term Rental:  If you only need equipment for a short time this may be a viable option.  If you only use equipment a few times a year or if you have a one- time clean up on your hands renting equipment for a few days or a week may be the answer.

Long Term Rental:  Maybe you have a bigger project.  Long term rentals of several months are often considered when you have a large project but don’t want to purchase a machine.  The advantages are you are not responsible for the maintenance or the upkeep on the equipment.  Just use the equipment for a few months and then return it.

Simple Leasing:  This is a great option if you need equipment to maintain your facility but do not have the money to make the capital investment.  Typical leases run for 24 to 36 months and spread the monthly payments to fit your budget.  Advantages are the new equipment is typically under warranty for the entire leasing period.  At the end of these types of leases you own the equipment outright.

Fair Market Value Leasing:  This is more along the lines of a true lease and still a very viable option.  The monthly payments will be less than a simple lease and may fit into your budget better.  It may enable you to acquire a larger, more productive piece of equipment for the same price.  At the end of the lease you will have options.  You can purchase the machine for the fair market value.  You can turn in the machine. Or you can simply continue a new lease with a new piece of equipment.

Leasing with Full Maintenance.  With a Long term Lease with full maintenance you are not so much buying a machine as you are purchasing the utility of maintaining clean floors.  Here’s how it works. The agreement typically lasts for 24 to 36 months.  For one monthly payment you receive the equipment that will best clean and maintain your facility. All the scheduled maintenance and repair is included.  You are guaranteed the up-time on the equipment and the ability to clean the facility.  If a repair is needed, they are made on sight or a replacement is delivered.  Either way you always have equipment guaranteed to perform well. At the end of the agreement a replacement machine is provided and the monthly payments are adjusted if needed.

Creative Financing can enable you to acquire the equipment you need to ensure your facility is cleaned on a routine schedule.  It can spread out the payments and help you to fit the equipment into a manageable monthly budget.  The best way to access the best possible financing is to contact a local distributor who handles many different makes, models and brands and is proficient in explaining various types of applicable financing. If you are looking for help in deciding which floor scrubber you need check out this blog entry about choosing the right scrubber.  Contact us here at Rhiel Supply and we will be happy to explain the process.

 

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Frequently Asked Pool Opening Questions

Whether you’re a first time pool owner or a seasoned pro, pool opening can be a stressful time for everyone. Here at Rhiel Supply we realize this, so we sat down with one of our experts to get the answers to your more frequently asked opening questions.

Pool Opening made easy

 

What’s The Easiest Way to Open a Pool?  

Remove any debris and water from the top of the cover that may have accumulated over the winter. Once the debris and water are taken care of, you can remove your pool cover. It’s best if you have a few people to help remove the cover. Pool covers are heavier than they look, and if you are not careful removing the cover, you could damage the pool.

 

When’s The Best Time to Open My Pool?

You’ll want a few days of consistently warm weather, where the temperature was at least 65 degrees. Keep in mind that your pool water is usually 10 degrees less than what the outside temperature is. So if you’re opening during cooler temperatures, be prepared for chilly water.

 

Once The Cover is Off, What Chemicals Do I Put In?

You don’t want to add any chemicals at first. Fill your pool with water until the water level is at the middle of your skimmer. Then turn on your pump and filter and let your water circulate for at least 24 hours. This lets any remaining chemicals that were in your pool at the end of the last season  become mixed in evenly throughout the water. Then test your water to see exactly which chemicals you need. Circulating your water and then testing it is a good way to avoid buying more chemicals than are needed. If you are unable to test your water, we offer a water analysis free of charge.

 

If you have any other questions or concerns about opening your pool, contact us by phone or e-mail so we can help you get everything ready for a great swim season!





Pool Opening




Are You Properly Caring For Your Carpet?

Proper carpet care pays dividends. Not only will proper carpet care practices make your facility look great, but proper maintenance will also provide a great return-on-investment and significantly longer carpet life. A central component to good carpet care is using good equipment and beyond that using the right equipment for each job. Join us on February 10th at Austintown Township Park for our Minuteman Carpet Care Seminar. This seminar will be focus the ROI of proper carpet equipment and the value that proper carpet care brings. This seminar involves an educational session and some hands-on time with the equipment. Please follow the link below to find more information about this opportunity and Minuteman carpet equipment.

Dilution Control

Dilution Control Systems are gaining in popularity every day. And with good cause. Facility managers are becoming more aware that a system which accurately measures and dispenses cleaning chemicals is more preferable. They are much more cost effective than Ready-To-Use products and more efficient than guessing and randomly pouring chemical in a bucket or an automatic scrubber. Accurate measuring assures that you get an end use product that is the most effective and cleans better without waste or misuse. It also assures that you are using a product that is produced the way the manufacturer intended. A product that is not over or under diluted, and will meet all the claims for sanitizing, disinfecting, or general cleaning listed on the chemical manufacturers specification sheets.

WHAT IS DILUTION CONTROL?

Through the use of dilution equipment, chemical concentrates are accurately metered with water and are dispensed as ready-to-use cleaning solution. There are 2 types of dilution control systems. Partial Loop and Closed loop. A partial loop system does not prohibit total chemical exposure when dispensing, replacing or changing out the chemical container. Some of the chemical can splash or drip when changing containers or even when using the dispenser. A closed loop system does provide total containment of the chemical at all points during the replacement and the dispensing process. In a closed loop system the ability to contain the chemical at all points during the replacement and dilution process is critical. This is important because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that U.S. Institutions spend more than 75 million dollars per year in chemical related injuries and lost wages. The EPA has also said 6 out 100 custodial workers are injured each year by exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals.

Why use dilution control? Lets concentrate on the closed loop systems. Although Partial loop systems are available, closed loop systems are safer. There are 3 main benefits.

1. Safety. Through the use of closed loop systems, end users are never in direct contact with concentrated chemicals reducing potential injuries.

2. Dilution Accuracy. Concentrated cleaning chemicals are designed to work best at their targeted dilution levels. Inaccurate dilutions can lead to ineffective cleaning and infectious disease outbreaks. Accurate dilutions lead to optimum product performance.

3. Waste Reduction. More is not always better. Dilution control reduces cleaning costs by up to 30% by accurately mixing the dilution. Unlike the Pouring Method the correct amount of chemical is dispensed every time.

Without the use of chemical dilution systems you run the risk of improper cleaning solutions. This can result in sticky or slippery floors, unclean surfaces, and improper sanitization or disinfection. You also run the risk of personal injury to the custodial staff. Proper training is required. Closed loop dilution control systems typically come in either a single bottle or 4 bottle units. That is, they hold either 1 or 4 bottles of concentrated cleaning chemical. There are also remote, hand held closed loop systems for those times when a wall mount unit isnt available or convenient. Closed loop systems are even available on some brands of automatic scrubbers. They automatically dispense the correct amount of chemical through the scrubber as you scrub your floors. No pre mixing is necessary. Just fill the automatic scrubber with water and the chemical is automatically dispensed through the system.

The proper installation and connections are crucial to ensuring the system runs properly. When choosing a chemical dilution system, make sure to contact a reputable chemical distributor that offers a complete line of chemicals and can provide the training and education necessary for safe implementation.

Contact us here at The Rhiel Supply Company and we will be able to provide you with the chemicals, dilution control systems, education and training necessary for a reliable and safe program.

 

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A Look At Some Of The Most Germ Ridden Places

Its fall, and that means more people are going to be coming down with colds, coughs, and the flu. It happens every year. Whats the best way to prevent getting sick? Wash your hands. And if you cant wash your hands or dont have access to water and soap, use hand sanitizer. Did you know that up to 80% of all germs are spread by hand contact alone! We all say we wash our hands, or at least try to. After we use the bathroom, before we eat, and maybe other times during the day. Studies however prove this to not be the truth. Studies actually show that only 20% of us wash our hands, and of those of us who do, only 30% use soap. Is it no wonder then that we spread germs by hand contact? Getting rid of germs on your hands is easy. Wash them frequently. Use hand sanitizer if you dont have soap & water. Make it a habit. If everyone does this consistently colds and the flu will become far less common.

So where do we get these germs? It might surprise you to see where they accumulate the most.

1. Public restrooms: Its not the toilet seat. Far germier places are door handles, sink faucets and light switches. So use paper towels to open the door before you leave.

2. Grocery Stores: There is a 72% chance that your shopping cart may contain fecal matter. Cold & flu virus can be on the handle. Meat and dairy products can transmit salmonella, listeria and E. Coli. if not stored properly. These can contact the conveyor belt. So use hand sanitizer in the store.

3. Public Transportation: Buses, trains, airplanes are one of the easiest ways to come in touch with a virus. Handles, knobs, rails, seats, and its worse if your neighbor is coughing or sneezing creating airborne contaminated particles.

4. Fitness Centers: Exercise equipment, dirty towels, and the humidity factor create a perfect environment for germs. Showers and restrooms add to this to create an environment that germs love.

5. Gas Pumps: This is one of the worst. 71% of all Gas pump handles are shown to be contaminated. As is the credit card pay station. The enter button is the worst.

6. Offices: 90% of people come to work sick. The most contaminated places are computers, keyboards, desks, chairs, telephones, coffee pots, kitchens, sinks and restrooms.

7. Restaurants: The first thing we all touch, and the least cleaned, is the menu. Also other areas of concern may be the condiments, salt, pepper, ketchup bottles, and even the garnish on your plate and the lemon wedge in your glass.

8. Doctors Office. Everyone there is potentially sick. Chairs, tables, reading material, door handles, and everyone seems to be coughing or sneezing.

9. Hotel rooms: The highest bacteria counts are found on the comforter, TV remote, bathroom counter, sink and the toilet. Rooms are cleaned every day but these are high traffic areas with a high risk for the spread of infection.

10. Schools: We all know kids get sick at school. A recent study by ABC news showed the germiest things in school are the water fountain (2335 bacteria), basketballs (13,987 bacteria) and lunch tables and trays (9838 bacteria).

Getting a cold or the flu is all something we contend with every day. The risk can be reduced. The answer is to avoid touching your hands to your face as frequently, washing your hands with soap and water and using hand sanitizer when water is not available.

For more information on hand washing and sanitizing please contact us at the Rhiel Supply Company or click on the button below!


Winter Safety 101: Are You Using The Right Ice Melt?

Volumes have been written on the scientific data produced to explain how Ice Melters work and which products are best to use. There are seemingly hundreds of products on the market today. I will try to simplify this process of how to select and apply the correct ice melting product for your application. Ice melters come in dry, granulated form or in liquid. Liquids are used to chemically treat granulated product or are applied directly to the surface to prevent ice buildup before it starts to snow. Dry, granulated ice melters are applied after the snow and are used to remove the buildup rather than prevent it. Dry, granulated product is much more common so let’s concentrate on how these work for now.

The way Dry Ice melting products work is really pretty basic. They melt the surface area of the ice where granulated product has been applied. It melts through the ice and creates a brine mixture with the melted water. This brine works its way under the surrounding ice and loosens the bond between the ice and the ground. The ice then continues to melt or is lifted away by mechanical removal, either with a blade or a snow shovel.

There are 4 main types of dry deicing products used on the market today. Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride and Potassium Chloride.

Acetate based products could be classified as a 5th category but they are expensive. They are used as a specialty product for areas where chloride based products may damage steel structures by rust and corrosion. Primarily they are used in parking decks, bridges and airports. The chloride based products are the most common and what most people are used to using.

Sodium Chloride: Rock Salt is the most common of all products used to melt ice. It works effectively down to +18F Degrees but seems to work best in the +20F to +25F degree range. It is readily available and comes from a variety of sources. It is cheap and easy to use. Consider however the damage this product can produce. Over application of Sodium and Chloride can create runoff that can kill vegetation and kill all the fish in your fish pond. So it is best reserved for parking lots and main thoroughfares.

Magnesium Chloride: More expensive than rock salt but it is traditionally easier on the environment. It doesn’t track as much as other products, has lower toxicity, and works at lower temperatures than salt. Magnesium Chloride will melt ice effectively down to -10 to -13 degrees.

Calcium Chloride: This is naturally occurring just like Sodium and Magnesium Chloride and relatively easy to acquire. It is more expensive than Sodium or Magnesium Chloride because of the processing it requires to dry and bag. It is a premium product and will effectively melt ice down to -25 degrees. It works quickly. It’s easy to use more than you need. Because of how fast it works at such low temperatures it can be easily over applied. Over application can lead to tracking which can cause damage to entryways and carpet. At the right application rate, at low temperatures, for the money, nothing works better or faster than Calcium Chloride.

Potassium Chloride: Potassium is one of the principal ingredients in fertilizer. It was once more widely used as an ice melter because of its low environmental impact. It works effectively down to +25 degrees. In recent years the price of fertilizer has driven up the cost of Potassium Chloride to make it cost prohibitive to use as an ice melter.

Sodium Chloride or rock salt is the most common product used to melt ice. But the trend today is to blend the above products and lower the effective melting temperature without raising the price too high. It is common to find sodium chloride based products which are 80% to 95% salt blended with Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium. Manufacturers may also add surfactants to help the melted brine spread more effectively and quickly. Anti-clogging agents are added to reduce clogging in spreaders. Marking agents are used to color the ice melter so it becomes more visible where it has been spread. They don’t affect the melting ability but make it easier to see where it is applied.

To determine which ice meting product is best suited for your facility please contact us. We can provide the answers you need to reduce slip and fall accidents and help clear you parking lots, walkways and other snow & ice covered areas.

30 Second Ice Melt Refresher Course [Infographic]

We are still enjoying nice weather and sunshine, but winter will be here before you know it. We put together this infograph to get you prepared for the change in seasons. Enjoy and be sure to click the snow flake at the bottom so you can see how we can help you with your ice melting needs!

Paladin Brewing Grand Opening

The Rhiel Supply Company would like to welcome Paladin Brewing as a new business in the valley! Their Grand Opening is tomorrow (8/22/15) from 12PM to 10PM so make sure you stop by! Click the button below to access their website for more information!

Do You Know How To Properly Close a Pool (Infographic)

While we may not like to think about it summer will ending soon and we will need to start thinking about closing our pools. Make sure you are taking the proper steps to do so. Use this infograph to help you make the best decisions for your pool closing. As always make sure you call us if you have any questions or uncertainty. Also we can close your pool for you so please call to schedule that.

Make Your Customers Love You Through Good Maintenance

Customer experience is central to any successful business and everyday it is becoming more and more important. Arguably the biggest factor impacting your customers’ experience is the cleanliness of your facility. It is the first thing that people notice when they enter your business. Starting in the parking lot, then moving to entry way and continuing through the facility and possibly your restrooms. This is a large area to maintain and can often be overlooked.

Your customers, however, will notice if your facility is unclean and dirty and it will negatively impact their experience and can overshadow what you want them to see (products, promotions, and any other conversion opportunities). This makes your cleaning and maintenance efforts especially important to your customer retention and upsell opportunities. With this being the case I wanted to do a series of blog posts to address key areas of your facility and provide you with solutions that are effective, work to lower your total cost and improve your customer experience.

I will briefly address each area in the series so you can get an idea of what’s coming. (I will add hyperlinks to each descriptions below the image once that topic has been posted.)

Make sure you don’t miss a post and subscribe to our blog today by filling out the form in the top right!

factors-in-the-customer-experience

 

EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION

Finding the proper maintenance solutions for your facility will positively impact your employees’ outlook about their working environment. It certainly involves proper cleaning to reduce the spread of sickness, but it also includes employee comfort during the workday; things such as anti-fatigue matting for employees who stand for long periods of time. Ultimately happier employees will make happier customers and improve their experience interacting with your business.

PARKING LOT

Your parking lot is the first thing your customers see when entering your facility. This gives them their first impression of your business and preps them for what they should expect inside. If the parking lot is a mess with unsightly litter, cigarette butts and other debris then the customer will already have a negative attitude about your establishment when entering. The parking lot can be a tough place to get to regularly, but there are cost-effective and efficient solutions to address this problem area.

ENTRY WAY

Your entry way can have a tendency to get dirty quickly, especially when there is bad weather. This makes sense due to it being the highest traffic area in your facility. Also during bad weather it is a significant safety hazard. Without proper maintenance the risk of a customer slipping and falling increases dramatically. Both the safety and the cleanliness will be addressed in this post.

RESTROOM

This is a big factor in whether a customer will return to your business. Dirty, odor-ridden restrooms are a big turn off and will impact your customers’ opinion of your facility. Many solutions exist that can make bathroom maintenance easy and quick and vastly improve you customers’ experience.

COMMON AREAS

These areas include anywhere in your facility that customers can roam (shopping, eating, perusing etc.). The solutions to achieve optimal maintenance here are different depending on what your business does, but have some similarities. These similarities and difference will be discussed in this post and appropriate solutions will be offered.

If you are interested in learning more about “The Value of Clean” please refer to this blog post that has an infographic summarizing the whitepaper put out by ISSA. Also make sure you subscribe to our blog so you can receive each post of this series straight to your inbox.