Truck mount vs Portables
What is a Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Machine?
Truck mount machines are a fuel driven machine that is mounted in the van of the cleaner. The machine has a pump and blower attached to it which then attaches to a waste tank. Truck mounted carpet cleaners can reach a high amount of suction or cfm and can maintain their high heat through the heat exchange.
What is a Portable Carpet Cleaning Machine?
A portable machine is an electric machine that can be wheeled into your home. It has usually 1-2 vacuums and a pump underneath which with a waste tank inside it.
What’s the difference?
Portables cannot create the heat needed and are usually hooked up to your laundry hot water. They use your power which wouldn’t even show up on your electricity bill but can cause your power box to trip and if not tested and tagged can be a hazard. Portables can also, if not transported properly, damage walls and wooden floors if also not maintained properly. Portables are good for apartment buildings and where vans or truck mounts cannot reach as easily.
Truck mounted machines that are well maintained and tested can produce high heat for cleaning well and maintain it without loss during the clean. They also have the ability to suck out large amounts of water meaning that more dirt is lifted out and the carpet inevitably ends up drier than when cleaned with just a portable. Why is the dry time so important? So you can walk on it quick? Yes that’s one reason but the main reason is reoccurring stains or wicking. The longer the carpet takes to dry the more time soil has to leach out of old stains in the backing which then head to the tuft (top) of the pile through capillary action. This is why some carpets look worse after cleaning. Nearly all carpet warranties will state that hot water extraction must be used and only a modern, maintained truck mount will do this.
