gum removal Options

[razzle]

Hello forum,

I have finally got into a little bit of commercial work and would like to know if youhave any good sites, blogs or advice on removing gum from concrete surfaces. My initial thought would be to use a 4 inch floor scraper to get the bulk then remove the rest by pressure cleaning. My only hangup with this theory is when you would get into painted concrete surfaces. I know it would be tricky getting the gum up using my method. If anyone has anything to offer it would be appreciated. In the meantime I will be doing my own research.

Thank You,
Claude Asbury

[h2opressure.com]

If you are using hot water then it should melt right off. However, if you are using hot water or cold water for that matter on a painted surface just be careful how close you get and also would go with a white tip at the most a yellow tip. Just ease it off slowly and you should be fine. I would also let the client know that there is no guarantee the paint will come off with the gum... but what is worse - a little bit of paint flecking, which you can later roller or a piece of gum? I hope this helps.

[Grime Busters]

High heat (200 degree +) and low pressure with a 25 degree tip works for me. I keep the tip maybe 6" away and at a 90 degree angle to the gum.

Depending on how old the concrete is will be key on how much pressure and time you can safely spend on the gum removal. Green concrete (less than 5 years old) you can easily damage the "cream" with too much pressure and consintrated time spend on the gum removal.

Here in Arizona the sun bonds the gum to concrete really well. If its been down for a year +, exposed to the sun and heat, and especially if some hack has tried to previously remove the gum with a cold water machine, the gum is there to stay.

Hope that helps you.


James Cooney
Owner

www.GrimeBustersPressureWashing.com
(602) 284-1174 / (602) 820-3911
(602) 467-3347 Fax

[razzle]

Hello James Cooney,

Sounds like great advice. I do appreciate the knowledge and hope I can help others as you do.

Best of luck,
Claude Asbury

[ccsigndude]

What to charge is really based on a few different critera for each job.

Obviously the amount of gum is important. But the frequency of cleaning is also helpful as gum that is newer is easier to remove. For pricing, we have to decide what the benefits of acquiring new clients are.
We will sometimes give lower prices on concrete work with excessive gum accumulation, charging a "Initial Cleaning" price the first time that could be waived if the client enters into a maintenance contract (If cleanings are less than 45 days apart, we dont waive fee. If we are over burdened with this type of work, we dont waive fee......etc.)
If the request is for a single cleaning we charge (based on severity of gum, stains and difficulties) 10-18 cents per square ft. More than 10,000 sq ft and we drop to 5-9 cents again based on severity of effluents and difficulties(foilage, water availibility, traffic, obstructions, proximity, payable terms ..etc) .

You can only figure your prices based on your efficiency or labor/material costs. And that can only be discovered by experience.

Good luck though! And remember anything can be accomplished through grace and integrity.