THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rodwelch@pacbell.net


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: December 2, 2003 10:45 AM Tuesday; Rod Welch

East Bay Chem-dry cleans carpets at 1158 St Mathew.

1...Summary/Objective
2...Furniture Moved to Provide Access for Cleaning
3...Wet Cleaning Agent Applied with Sprayer and Applied with Equipment
4...Protection Agent Applied by Mixing with Cleaning Material
5...Furniture Elevated on Styrofoam to Permit Carpet to Dry
6...Carpet Damage May Result from Some Furniture Finishes Problem Avoided
7...Stains Removed by East Bay Chemdry's Advanced Methodologies
8...Animal Stain Cleaning Exclusion Proposed on Scope of Work
9...Stains and Spots in Some Cases Cannot Be Cleaned with Extra Effort
10...Payment in Full Work Order 2301778
11...Vacuum by Customer to Complete East Bay Chemdry's Carpet Cleaning
12...Hazard Exercise Care to Avoid Slipping When Carpets Still Wet
13...Customer Warned Avoid Slipping and Falling Prior to Carpets Drying
14...Furniture Restored While Carpets Still Damp


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CONTACTS 
0201 - East Bay Chem-dry                                                                                                                                                  O-00000829 0404
020101 - Mr. Chuck Wooten                                                                                                                                                 O-00000829 0404
020103 - Field Operations                                                                                                                                                 O-00000829 0404

SUBJECTS
Carpet Cleaning Protection East Bay Chem-dry Work in Dining Room Liv
Carpet Clean Project 1158 St Mathew Place Concord Ca

0604 -
0604 -    ..
0605 - Summary/Objective
0606 -
060601 - Follow up
060602 -
060603 - East Bay Chemdry did an outstanding job cleaning carpets today.  Chuck
060604 - Wooten was professional, skilled, timely, thorough and courteous.  The
060605 - job was very well done with few mistakes compared to services of other
060606 - contractors on prior projects, and so can be recommended for future
060607 - work and to other customers.  Lessons learned include clarifying scope
060608 - on cleaning stains, ref SDS 0 6E61, moving furniture, ref SDS 0 6E5J,
060609 - and smaller pieces for complete coverage, ref SDS 0 LU9H, and on
060610 - allocating time to restore original conditions. ref SDS 0 LV4O
060612 -  ..
060613 - Notified East Bay Chemdry of results on this order at their
060614 - website...
060615 -
060616 -              http://www.eastbaychemdry.com
060617 -
060618 - ...which shows a business email address:
060619 -
060620 -                lwiley@eastbaychemdry.com
060621 -
060622 -
060623 -
060624 -
060625 -
060627 -  ..
0607 -
0608 -
0609 - Progress
0610 -
061001 - Furniture Moved to Provide Access for Cleaning
061002 -
061003 - Prior to Chuck's arrival, the light furniture in the areas to be
061004 - cleaned were all moved as agreed on 031121.
061005 -
061006 - Chuck Wooten arrived about 1045.  We surveyed the work area and
061007 - reviewed scope based on East Bay Chem-dry's quotation prepared by
061008 - Craig and Chuck on 031121.  Notified Chuck that Millie decided to
061009 - accept the full scope, including carpet protection and the stairs.
061011 -  ..
061012 - Since Chuck was by himself, assisted Chuck in moving the remaining
061013 - larger furniture pieces to clear the area for cleaning.
061014 -
061015 -
061017 -  ..
061018 - Wet Cleaning Agent Applied with Sprayer and Applied with Equipment
061019 -
061020 - The process is to vacuum, then spray with a treatment chemical, and
061021 - then work the cleaning agent into the carpet with spinning equipment,
061022 - that scrubs and "washes" the carpet fiber.
061024 -  ..
061025 - Chuck advised that East Bay Chemdry uses a wet process that takes
061026 - about 4 hours to dry, and so suggests minimal traffic during the
061027 - drying process in order to avoid compressing the carpet into spotted
061028 - matting from foot steps.
061030 -  ..
061031 - Chuck did not recall discussion of this issue on 031121, when concern
061032 - was raised about a prolonged drying period that was very problematic
061033 - when another contractor performed carpet cleaning services several
061034 - years ago.  Chuck indicated his attention may have been diverted when
061035 - an understanding was drawn from the meeting on 031121 that East Bay
061036 - Chemdry uses a "dry" process, and this results in mere dampness that
061037 - takes only an hour or 2 at most to dry.  Chuck clarified that any
061038 - inference from the company name that East Bay Chemdry does not use a
061039 - "wet" process that requires 4 hours plus to dry, was an error by the
061040 - customer.
061042 -  ..
061043 - Chuck started work by vacuuming the stairs.
061045 -  ..
061046 - He then vacuumed the dining room, and started the cleaning process in
061047 - the dining room, before completing the stairs.
061048 -
061049 -    Cleaning agent is applied with a pressurized sprayer.  The pressure
061050 -    comes from what seemed to be a small air compressor.
061052 -     ..
061053 -    From the standpoint of not having experience with the work, it
061054 -    appears that not much cleaning and protection agent is used, per
061055 -    below. ref SDS 0 YS5N
061057 -  ..
061058 - After spraying the cleaning agent mixed with protection treatment,
061059 - Chuck brought in three large rug-like pads.  The cleaning equipment
061060 - fastens to a cleaning pad with a friction connection.  When the
061061 - equipment is powered up the cleaning pad spins to work the cleaning
061062 - agent into the carpet pulling up foreign material, dust, stains, etc.,
061063 - from the carpet fibers, similar to the method for cleaning linoleum
061064 - tile, where the equipment "floats" on the surface and is moved about
061065 - by pushing and pulling.
061066 -
061067 -
061069 -  ..
061070 - Protection Agent Applied by Mixing with Cleaning Material
061071 -
061072 - Chuck advised that the "protection" treatment against future stains,
061073 - which is included in the order, was mixed with the cleaning agent he
061074 - sprayed onto the carpet.  Thus, the application is accomplished in a
061075 - single pass.
061076 -
061077 -    East Bay Chem-dry's work order #2301778 dated today, shows the
061078 -    following....
061079 -
061080 -        Protector 354 SF @ $.12 =  $42.48
061082 -     ..
061083 -    When the work was completed Chuck showed what looked like a
061084 -    half-gallon bottle of protection agent that was mixed with the
061085 -    standard cleaning liquid.  The bottle seemed to be about half full,
061086 -    suggesting a cost of $42.48 for a quart of this protection
061087 -    material, since there seems to be no additional cost for labor, per
061088 -    above. ref SDS 0 YS5N  The charge of $170 per gallon, suggests very
061089 -    good carpet "protection," to reduce exposure to the animal stain
061090 -    problem Chuck cited above. ref SDS 0 6E61
061091 -
061092 -
061094 -  ..
061095 - Furniture Elevated on Styrofoam to Permit Carpet to Dry
061096 - Carpet Damage May Result from Some Furniture Finishes Problem Avoided
061097 -
061098 - Chuck recommended against cleaning beneath the credenza in the dinning
061099 - room because there is a risk that the chemicals will cause the finish
061100 - on the perimeter of the unit to break down and "bleed" into the newly
061101 - cleaned carpet, creating a stain.
061103 -  ..
061104 - There was discussion of how to clean adjacent carpet without having
061105 - the same effect?  If a perimeter is maintained to avoid causing the
061106 - finish to "bleed" then this creates an unsightly strip that is not
061107 - cleaned, which contrasts with the area that is cleaned, and so fails
061108 - to meet objectives of the project.
061110 -  ..
061111 - We decided to try moving the credenza in order to get complete
061112 - coverage cleaning carpets, and then replace the credenza on temporary
061113 - elevated pads during the 4 hour period required for the carpet to dry.
061114 - Thought there might be some light timbers, like a 2x4, 4x4, etc, to do
061115 - this, but could not find this on the premises.
061116 -
061117 -     Turned out that Chuck had some styrofoam he used to elevate some
061118 -     of the furniture in the living room, and he used the same method
061119 -     to elevate the credenza in the dining room to reduce the risk of
061120 -     wet carpeting causing stains from the finish on the credenza.
061121 -     This permitted moving the credenza back into position after
061122 -     cleaning the perimeter, so that the area-rug could be thoroughly
061123 -     cleaned.
061125 -      ..
061126 -     For some reason, the area beneath the two speakers at either end
061127 -     of the entertainment center was not cleaned.  These two units
061128 -     weigh about 10 pounds, so the problem is not difficulty moving
061129 -     them, as with the entertainment center, which was excluded from
061130 -     the order for that reason.  On balance, only missing two small
061131 -     furniture elements is likely an above average effort for this
061132 -     industry.
061134 -      ..
061135 -     Another option would be to move the credenza into the garage.
061136 -     Testing indicates this is a 2-man job.  We can do this working
061137 -     together while Chuck is on site, however, we want to avoid the
061138 -     need for Chuck to make a return trip for restoring furniture.
061139 -     Millie and I might be able to move the credenza from the garage
061140 -     back into the house, but that is not a good task for a cancer
061141 -     patient.
061143 -      ..
061144 -     Chuck's solution seems better, by using styrofoam to elevate the
061145 -     credenza enough for the carpet to dry, this prevents a return
061146 -     trip to restore conditions.
061147 -
061148 -
061150 -  ..
061151 - Stains Removed by East Bay Chemdry's Advanced Methodologies
061152 -
061153 - Chuck pointed out that the carpet at the door into the garage has an
061154 - oil-based stain from weatherstripping along the bottom of the door.
061155 - He explained using a special added cleaning agent that was successful
061156 - in removing this stain, with the result that this part of the work
061157 - looks almost like new carpet.
061158 -
061159 -
061160 -
061162 -  ..
061163 - Animal Stain Cleaning Exclusion Proposed on Scope of Work
061164 - Stains and Spots in Some Cases Cannot Be Cleaned with Extra Effort
061165 -
061166 - Chuck also noted that East Bay Chem-dry techniques will not clean some
061167 - animal stains from urine and in the case of cats, vomiting to relieve
061168 - hair balls.
061170 -  ..
061171 - Chuck disclosed that added cleaning agent used for the stain on the
061172 - carpet near the door leading into the garage, per above, ref SDS 0
061173 - 6E61, cannot be used to try removing animal stains.  He indicated more
061174 - research is needed to develop a solution for this problem.
061176 -     ..
061177 -    Discussion about using extra cleaning agent on difficult spots,
061178 -    similar to extra cleaning agent for removing difficult spots on
061179 -    dishes or cleaning a wall, concrete etc., resulted in an
061180 -    explanation that East Bay Chem-dry has not been successful using
061181 -    the same methods to clean difficult spots on carpets.
061183 -  ..
061184 - We reviewed the quotation submitted by Craig and Chuck on 031121 to
061185 - perform professional service and complete the work.  The exclusion
061186 - Chuck cites today is not disclosed in East Bay Chem-dry's quotation.
061187 - As a result, East Bay Chem-dry was hired to perform a complete job.
061188 -
061189 -        [...below, East Bay Chem-dry's choice of protective agent may
061190 -        reduce this problem going forward, based on cost. ref SDS 0
061191 -        YS5N
061193 -     ..
061194 -    Examination of areas following initial cleaning, shows that a lot
061195 -    of the major spots have been cleaned well.  Chuck pointed out a few
061196 -    spots that are problematic, which he feels are beyond the scope of
061197 -    East Bay Chem-dry's work and capabilities.
061199 -     ..
061200 -    The number of these instances seems fairly small.
061202 -     ..
061203 -    Not sure what the remedy should be.  While it is understandable
061204 -    that some spots can be less susceptible to cleaning, the time to
061205 -    disclose limitations and exclusions is when the bid is submitted,
061206 -    and in any event prior to starting work.
061207 -
061208 -
061210 -  ..
061211 - Payment in Full Work Order 2301778
061212 - Vacuum by Customer to Complete East Bay Chemdry's Carpet Cleaning
061213 -
061214 - Chuck indicated there would not enough time to return and complete the
061215 - work this afternoon by restoring original conditions after the carpet
061216 - drys.
061218 -  ..
061219 - As a result, submitted a check for payment in full East Bay Chemdry's
061220 - work order #2301778 in the amount of $204.56, and volunteered to help
061221 - with remaining tasks without additional expense to East Bay Chemdry.
061223 -  ..
061224 - Chuck advised that the cleaning process, described above, ref SDS 0
061225 - 6E66, has extracted a lot of cat hair today from the carpet.  He
061226 - recommends that after the carpet has dried in about four (4) hours or
061227 - so, the customer should complete the cleaning operations by vacuuming
061228 - the carpet.  This removes cat hair that is pulled to the surface, but
061229 - not removed by East Bay's Chem-dry work.
061230 -
061231 -
061233 -  ..
061234 - Hazard Exercise Care to Avoid Slipping When Carpets Still Wet
061235 - Customer Warned Avoid Slipping and Falling Prior to Carpets Drying
061236 -
061237 - Chuck warned that the chemical cleaning agents will rub off on shoes
061238 - and feet for the next few hours until the carpet dries.  This creates
061239 - a safety hazard when walking on slick surfaces like linoleum and wood
061240 - flooring, because the cleaning chemicals act like a lubricant to
061241 - increase the risk of slipping and falling.
061243 -  ..
061244 - Overall, Chuck did a good job and East Bay Chem-dry can be recommended
061245 - for additional work.
061246 -
061247 -
061249 -  ..
0613 -
0614 -
0615 - 1630
0616 -
061601 - Furniture Restored While Carpets Still Damp
061602 -
061603 - After about 4.5 hours, vacuumed the entire carpet area to complete
061604 - cleaning by East Bay Chemdry, per guidance above. ref SDS 0 E66K  The
061605 - carpet was still damp, so the vacuum cleaning equipment struggled to
061606 - work with this condition.
061608 -  ..
061609 - Turned up the heat to expedite drying.
061611 -  ..
061612 - After vacuum cleaning, moved back into place to restore original
061613 - conditions for furniture, plants, pictures, area rugs, etc., that were
061614 - moved to facilitate carpet cleaning, per above. ref SDS 0 PPRR
061615 - Removed and disposed of stryrofoam pads so that furniture was resting
061616 - on the carpet.
061618 -  ..
061619 - The carpet remained damp for about another day and half.
061620 -
061621 -
061622 -
061623 -
061624 -
061625 -
061626 -
061627 -
061628 -
061629 -
0617 -
Distribution. . . . See "CONTACTS"