Frequently Asked Questions about Guarddog by Nood Walk Off Mats

• How do you work out where to put our system?

Guarddog System throughout the building
 
How do you work out where to put our system? You need the right system in the right place. Then you can benefit from reduced cleaning costs. You can also reduce the risk of slip and trip accidents.
 
All primary entrances to your building should have Guarddog Berber or Guarddog Rib. All secondary areas should utilize Guarddog Dotz. In an office block, this would be the main entrance. Remember that high traffic staff entrances need the system as well.
 
Now move around your building and see where you have significant foot traffic. Think about links to other buildings, warehouse entrances etc.
 

 



• How "GREEN" is Guarddog Backing?
Guarddog walk-off mats are backed with EnviroCel ® polyurethane backing systems. EnviroCel replaces large percentages of the petroleum-based components in its polyurethane chemistry with Argol ® (polyols made from soybean plants) and Celceram ® (a recovered pre-consumer recycled mineral compound that adds to the product's environmental and performances benefits).
 


And to further enhance Guarddog walk-off mats' non-slip reliability, a second backing system is applied. BioGrip, created exclusively for Nood, is made of 70% natural rubber and contributes considerably to Guarddog walk-off mats' impressive Green By Weight number.
 
EnviroCel and BioGrip are third-party certified for recycled and renewable materials and contributes to LEED totals.
 
EnviroCel and BioGrip qualify for federal purchasing preference under the USDA's BioPreferred^SM program.


• Step by Step System Approach - For a Entrance system to work, it should...
For a Entrance system to work, it should:

1. Remove dirt, grit and moisture.
2. Be long enough to be functional. (Refer to Diagram on length and size)
3. Lock and retain the dirt, grit and moisture away inside the system.
4. Stay looking good and present a clean professional appearance.
5. Be easy to clean/maintain.

1. Remove dirt, grit and moisture
As visitors walk thru your entrance, a system should be in place to remove dirt from their shoes. Use Primary Guarddog Berber or Rib to remove dirt and grit. Follow on with Secondary Guarddog Dotz and/or Solidz to remove moisture.
 
2. Be long enough
Short sighted systems get stepped over and don't work. Put down an Guarddog Entrance System so that visitors step on it several times. The more steps the better the cleaning.
 
3. Lock the dirt, grit and moisture away inside
Once an Guarddog System has removed the dirt, grit and moisture, you don't want to see it again. Guarddog will lock it away inside, well away from the surface. An inferior system will keep the dirt on the surface and allow it to be tracked into your building by the next visitor.
 
4. Stay looking good
During bad weather, entry systems are tested to their limits. Poor systems look dirty and sodden very quickly. A good entrance system stays looking great all day and last for years.
 
5. Be easy to clean
A Guarddog Entry System removes dirt and moisture and is easily maintained. A good system is easy and quick to clean, releasing all of its dirt easily to vacuuming, and always looking great. An inferior system takes longer to clean and doesn't seem to look clean again.
 



• Size and Length Advice
The Guarddog Entrance System is there to remove dirt and moisture from your visitors' shoes.
 
It's simple. Improperly sized entrance systems can't remove dirt and moisture like the Guarddog System can. Some systems are so short you only step on them with one foot. Some you can step over altogether. Most entrances are minimally covered and do not provide enough surface area to be effective. Ideally you need two stages to be 100% effective, one after the other: Primary and Secondary.
 
What does the Primary Entrance System do?
It is the first contact your visitor's shoes come in contact with and the most aggressive. Its job is to scrape and remove the bulk of the dirt. You must ensure that each foot gets to contact the system at least once.
Minimum length = 6 feet.
 
What does Secondary Entrance System do?
It is the next surface your visitor's shoes come in contact with, after the primary system has scraped off the bulk of the dirt. Its job is to remove moisture. This takes 2-3 steps per foot.
Minimum length = 10 feet.
 




• Is Guarddog LEED Certified?
YES!!!
 
Guarddog walk-off mats qualify under U.S. Green Building Council LEED section 3.8 Environmental Quality, Green Cleaning; Entryway Systems.
 
Guarddog walk-off mats contribute towards LEED building certification under Section 4.3, Indoor Environmental Quality, Low-Emitting Material and under LEED Materials and Resources CR4, Recycled Content.


• Good Entrance System is an Investment!
• Floor Preparation; always damp mop and dry the floor before unrolling EcStep.
 
• Always maintain Guarddog with a strong two-motor upright vacuum.
 
• Spot clean Guarddog with solvent based cleaner, before their regular cleaning & storage
 
• Deep clean Guarddog with a carpet exactor that can inject only hot water (no soap), utilizes a scrubbing brush, and removes the dirty water.
 
• Allow Guarddog to dry completely before storage.
 
• Always roll Guarddog with the face/top side on the outside of the roll. This involves flipping Guarddog over so their underside is on top, before rolling.
 
• Store the Guarddog tightly rolled on storage tube provided when you received the Guarddog System and lay them on their side



• Cleaning & Maintenance Guarddog Mats
The "Top Dog" recommends the following cleaning procedures: Proper daily and scheduled maintenance ensures Guarddog mats do their job for years
 
DAILY MAINTENANCE
Vacuum your Guarddog mats daily for optimum performance. Any upright dual vacuum, or one fitted with a power head rotating brush also can be used. Spot (we have to laugh at our own pun) removal should be done daily or as necessary.
 
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
WET EXTRACTION - green AND moisture proof backing
Guarddog mats have an impermeable moisture barrier backing system. When the mat is saturated with dirt or soil from too many paws, it can be cleaned with a water extraction method. In order to obtain optimum results, loose dirt should first be removed first with a vacuum. Water (with or without detergents) is sprayed, under high pressure, onto the mat and extracted together with the dissolved dirt. It is important to note that when detergents have been used, the mat must be rinsed with clean water to ensure no chemicals are left behind. Because of the quality of the yarns, the method in which the yarn has been dyed and the waterproof backing, the extraction cleaning method can be used frequently without the loss of appearance to the mat.
 
POINTS TO NOTE:
• Water temperature should not exceed 140 degrees F.
• Use detergents sparingly
• Only use environmentally friendly chemical suitable for the cleaning of carpets
• Never use chemical that contain chlorinated hydrocarbons.
 
NOTE: ALWAYS TEST NEW CLEANING PRODUCTS IN AN INCONSPICUOUS PLACE


• How to instructions - ROLLING & STORING
Moving, Repositioning, Storage
 

1. Turning or flipping Guarddog for rolling.


1. Rolling the Guardog, the wrong way stretches the edging and seams, causing waves & rips in the System.
2. To properly flip the Guarddog, have two people grab one corner and flip part of the Guarddog on top of the other end.
3. Lay the storage core on the end and start in the center ---- tucking the edging, under the roll, in tight and rolling up straight and tight on the core.


2. When Guarddog is rolled up; roll Guarddog forward 4-6 revolutions to help tighten the roll. Use one of the straight edges when rolling as a guide when possible.


1. Secure the roll with tape, a strap, or shrink-wrap.
2. Note: Tape may leave adhesive residue.
3. Taping the roll makes it easier to handle when moving it, if you roll Guarddog backwards, it will loosen on the roll.
4. Lay the roll on a 4-wheel dolly cart, with the cart positioned in the middle of the roll.


3. Storage


1. Lay all rolls flat after securing on shipping core. They can be stacked as a pyramid if desired, never stand the rolled Guarddog on end.


4. Seams - How to fix


1. If a seam puckers or peaks, it's from improper rolling.
2. Rolling Guarddog, the wrong way for even one second will cause the seam to pucker and/or peak.
3. To fix the seam, simply roll it correctly and let the roll lay rolled tight for about 15 seconds, then unroll and a carpet tractor on the seam.