How do you remove gum from concrete?

[Cat Powerwash]

Can anyone tell me how they remove gum from concrete? I own a cold water unit 3500psi 4gpm. Is there a special chemical to loosen up the gum? I cleaned a small pad one time that had gum all over it and it took a long time to get that gum off with my wand that was about 1/4" away from it using straight water. I was asked to do a sidewalk in front of a shopping center that had alot of gum and kind of shyed away from it due to the experience that I had from the last job.

 

[Clean County]

You need hot water to get the gum up. When I do Commercial flat work I powerwash with a 3000psi hot water powerwasher set at about 190 degree's. The hot water just pops the gum right up. If you are going to use a cold water machine its not worth doing these type jobs because its going to take way to long.

If you can't afford a hot water powerwasher at this time you can buy a Hot Box to attached to your powerwasher to get the hot water that you will need.

Hot water is a must for gum removal..

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Hot water does work the best, and with the least effort.
Did you try a 15 degree Yellow [hello] tip or a turbo nozzle? DO NOT use a 0 (red) tip. You will ruin the top surface of the concrete.
The colder it gets outside the easier the gum should be to remove. Don't want to be in 32 F weather though.
Regardless if you are using a hot or cold machine, you must be aware of what is happening on the surface. Adjust you distance as needed. Also keep in mind is that a shadow of the remove gum will generaly remain. The shadows should fade with frequent cleanings
Keep in mind you should charge more for the initial cleaning. You can discount some what on regular or quarterly cleanings since they should become easier.

 

[Cat Powerwash]

Thanks for the replys. Yes I used the green tip but still took a while. Do you use a flat surface cleaner or do you do it with a wand? Where can I get a hot box and would I be able to use it with my portable pressure washer? I have an excel 3500 4gpm that was purchased from home depot. I am also looking to buy a flat surface cleaner. Can you tell me whats a good brand to buy. I'm looking for probably a 20".

 

[Dan S]

click on the pressure washing zone

or just wait around for Mark to pop his head in . He can help `ya with the eq.

 

[Mark]

Here I am popping my head in again! LOL! [hello]

I am partial to the Steel Eagle Surface Cleaners,
we sell most brands.

Click Here For Surface Cleaners:

www.PressureWasherZone.com

 

[Cat Powerwash]

Mark,
Would I be able to hook up a hot box to my portable pressure washer? And if yes, where can I buy one? Which flat surface cleaner works better, the hover or the castor model

 

[MR ALAN]

Did you try a 15 degree (green) tip or a turbo nozzle.

0° = Red
10° = Orange
15° = Yellow
25° = Green
40° = White

I use 5° nozzles for heavy gum.

Mark,
I don't see the Steel Eagle Floaters (12 & 16) on your site. I know you can get them, but how do you rate their quality?

 

[Mark]

I have sold several with no complaints, never tried one myself,
I am told the swivels are German.

[hello]

 

[MR ALAN]

I used the 12" with a 4 gpm unit and it did it's job well. I noticed the swivel is like nothing I have ever seen on the larger units. Did not use it long enough to know if the swivel will last long or not.

 

[Aplus]

0° = Red
10° = Orange
15° = Yellow
25° = Green
40° = White

I use 5° nozzles for heavy gum.

Mark,
I don't see the Steel Eagle Floaters (12 & 16) on your site. I know you can get them, but how do you rate their quality?

Alan,
I've tried different nozzle patterns, and I seem to prefer the 10 or 15 degree tips, especially on the big wad buster gums. Seems that a narrower stream would take more action to remove the larger gums.

Of course I'm not the concrete guru you are, but I'm trying...

The only surface cleaner I've ever used is a Steel Eagle I got from Mark, at I think it's an awesome machine, and built like a tank.

If I was going to get a smaller one, I'd first look seriously at the Steel Eagle line.

 

[MR ALAN]

Tony,
Just for giggles, you should get a 5° tip and give it a whirl. It packs quite a puch, I can stay a little farther from the surface, and it just destroys gum with a passion.
I only use it for rinsing and popping gum after the surface cleaner. If it is just a wand job, I use a 15° or 25°.
The Steel Eagle line is definately a tough group. I recently replaced a brass union with the Mosmatic Carbide union and I like it even more now.

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Alan,
Thanks for the correction old bud. Now I have to admit I am color blind! LOL!

 

[Cat Powerwash]

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a hot box for my portable pressure washer? I have a devilbliss 3500 4gpm that was bought from home depot.

 

[Cat Powerwash]

Can someone tell me where I can purchase a hot box for my devilbliss 3500 4gpm portable washer

 

[john nugent]

hot box

what is a hotbox and how does it work?

 

[squirtgun]

John,
A hotbox can be hooked in line with a cold water pressure washer to get hot water.I have seen electric and propane hotboxes not sure if there are diesel units also.

 

[MR ALAN]

You can get a hot box and then some from Mark at Easy Clean. http://store.yahoo.com/pressurewasherzone/index.html

 

[New Look]

We did this the other night on some sidewalks in San Francisco that had it's fair share of gum. Pretreated it with a good cleaner that I stumbled on a couple months ago. Seems to soften the gum up where I just go in a give the surface a short blast with a 15 degree and move on to the next gum spot.

 

[Doug Rucker]

To remove gum with a cold water unit: Buy some freeze spray from a Radio Shack or Walmart. Spray the gum, then remove with you pressure washer. I use 25 degree tip. It is a little more work but it does work. If you are going to remove a lot of gum, then like everyone else is saying, hot water works best and fastest. To remove the shadow from gum I use the EATOILS BT200 degreaser and dothis:

I have found that the best approach for Gum Residue is to spray the residue with mineral spirits, brush with a stiff brush and then spray with BT200™ and water – 3:1(3 parts water to 1 part BT200™), brush again and leave.

Sometimes the residue is from a tougher compound that is harder to remove so use Goof offâ„¢ instead of mineral spirits.

If you are still left with a residue try some vinegar on the spot – cover it and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then brush with a tooth brush, spray with the BT200™ mixture and Power Wash the spot.