Truck-mounted steam cleaning
The machine in the van is the whole reason DeepSteam.ca exists. Here is what it is, what it is not, and what it changes for the carpet under your feet.
What is truck-mounted steam cleaning?
Truck-mounted steam cleaning is hot water extraction performed by a cleaning unit permanently installed in a van. The unit heats the water, pressurizes it and provides the vacuum. Long hoses carry hot solution in and dirty water back out, so the only equipment inside the building is the hose and the cleaning wand. It is the professional form of what most people call "steam cleaning".
Despite the name, the cleaning is done by very hot water, not by steam vapour. The water is sprayed into the carpet under pressure through jets in the wand and immediately pulled back out by vacuum, carrying the dissolved soil with it. Steam is what you see rising from the carpet in the photographs, because the water is hot enough to flash off in the room air.
How is it different from a portable or rental carpet cleaner?
Three things: heat, vacuum, and where the dirty water goes.
| Factor | Truck-mounted | Portable professional | Rental machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | Dedicated engine or the van's engine | Your wall outlets, usually two circuits | One wall outlet |
| Water heating | Continuous heat exchanger, stays hot all job | Small in-line heater, or hot tap water | Hot tap water that cools in the tank |
| Vacuum | High-lift blower through a 2 inch hose | One or two vacuum motors | Single small motor |
| Water left in carpet | Least; dries fastest | More | Most; over-wetting and wicking are common |
| Dirty water | Recovery tank in the van, disposed of off site | Emptied into your drain repeatedly | Emptied into your drain repeatedly |
| Best for | Whole homes, stairs, offices, halls, heavy soil | High-rise units with no hose access | A single small spill on new carpet |
The one situation where a portable unit wins is a high floor with no way to run a hose. For everything at ground level, in a house, or reachable from a loading area, the truck-mount does more in less time and leaves the carpet drier.
How long does carpet take to dry after truck-mounted cleaning?
Most carpet we clean is dry to the touch within a few hours and fully dry the same day. Drying depends on the fibre, how much soil had to be flushed out, and the airflow in the room. A furnace fan set to "on", a ceiling fan, or a window open on a dry day all shorten it. We groom the pile before leaving so it dries evenly and does not show wand marks. Pieces of upholstery with thick cushions take longer than carpet. Grant tells you the expected time for your job before leaving.
Does hot water extraction protect my carpet warranty?
Hot water extraction is the method carpet manufacturers name when they set out cleaning requirements. Shaw Floors' care guidance says to "schedule a professional hot water extraction (steam cleaning) anywhere from 6-18 months, depending on traffic." Check your own warranty document: many require periodic professional cleaning, and some ask you to keep the receipts.
Source: Shaw Floors, Carpet Care and Maintenance. The Carpet and Rug Institute gives a similar interval, "every 12 to 18 months", and recommends choosing a cleaner who uses CRI Seal of Approval equipment and products. If you have your warranty paperwork, show it to Grant on the walk-through and he will follow whatever it specifies.
What does the process look like on the day?
- Park and set upThe van parks as close as it can. Hoses run through a door or window, protected by a door guard so cold air and bugs stay out.
- VacuumDry soil is removed first. Wet dirt becomes mud, so skipping this step makes the extraction work harder for a worse result.
- Pre-sprayA cleaning solution matched to the soil goes down on traffic lanes and spots and is given time to loosen it.
- ExtractHot water rinse under pressure, recovered immediately by the van's vacuum. Overlapping passes, with extra dry passes on heavy areas.
- Spot and edge workAnything the wand cannot reach or fully lift is worked by hand.
- Groom and checkPile groomed for even drying. A walk-through with you before we pack up.
Does the truck-mount work for upholstery, rugs and tile too?
Yes, with different tools on the end of the hose. Upholstery is cleaned with a small hand tool at reduced pressure and heat suited to the fabric. Area rugs are cleaned according to fibre, which is where Grant's Textile Pro certification matters. Tile and grout are cleaned with a spinner tool that contains high-pressure hot water inside a shroud and recovers it at once, so grout lines are flushed without soaking the room. See upholstery cleaning, area rug cleaning and tile and grout cleaning.