2nd Year In Business

[GumDestroyer]

Hello everyone. Last year I started the business but missed most the Summer. I live near Canada in Washington State so it get's cold fast up here fast and the season for pressure washing is April-September. Last year I focused on sidewalks and gum removal. My machine is a 3500 p.s.i hot water diesel fired skid machine. I look forward to listening and learning more from the veterans hear and sharing anything new I might discover. I'm a one man band so very limited on my scope of work.

Thank you

 

[Grime Busters]

Welcome to the PWN Gum Destroyer. You'll find our membership includes most of the industry leaders, all professionals who are willing and able to help anyone out.

Please take a moment and complete your signature line, a forum rule. Actually benefits you and your search engine rankings for your business, website, etc. You can do this by going to the settings tab above, then edit signature.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. Once again welcome to the PWN.

 

[Chad Cobb]

Welcome to the board. You will find all types here, one man show to guys that have 10-20 employees. Like Jim said fill out you signature line and do a seach, alot of questions have been answered before, but ask away.

 

[GumDestroyer]

Thanks Grime Busters.

 

[GumDestroyer]

Thank you Chad.

 

[New Look]

Gum Destroyer ...I like that....welcome to PWN. As Chad and Jim already mentioned....feel free to ask away. I have a colleague up in WA State that does a fair amount of washing and etc. I assume you are way North of Seattle? Thanks for filling out the signature line.

Are you using any chem/soaps?

Welcome aboard!!

 

[GumDestroyer]

Hi New Look,

Thanks for the questions. Yes I use "Simple-Cherry" on my house wash. I like the cherry smell and think the customers do the same. I'm in Eastern Washington State which is very dry climate and low humidity. We don't have the mildew/mold issues like the guys in the eastern states. Because of this I don't use much pool chlorine in my solutions...maybe a gallon at most. As far as flat surface (gas station pads) I use the Home Depot product in the 5 gal. buckets and that works fine for me. I make sure the adjoining asphalt is always cold and diluted down with plenty of water. I went on the Gum Removal direction because things don't get too dirty out here. It's a part-time business for me as I also have an Insulation business. Seems like everyone needs to "spread out" these day's as I'm not feeling the Obama Stimulus Pkg. yet. lol

 

[New Look]

Hi New Look,

Thanks for the questions. Yes I use "Simple-Cherry" on my house wash. I like the cherry smell and think the customers do the same. I'm in Eastern Washington State which is very dry climate and low humidity. We don't have the mildew/mold issues like the guys in the eastern states. Because of this I don't use much pool chlorine in my solutions...maybe a gallon at most. As far as flat surface (gas station pads) I use the Home Depot product in the 5 gal. buckets and that works fine for me. I make sure the adjoining asphalt is always cold and diluted down with plenty of water. I went on the Gum Removal direction because things don't get too dirty out here. It's a part-time business for me as I also have an Insulation business. Seems like everyone needs to "spread out" these day's as I'm not feeling the Obama Stimulus Pkg. yet. lol

Simple Cherry...it is a good product. We use it ourselves also.

 

[Doug Rucker]

WElcome aboard, Gum Destroyer, great to have you here. Here is a question for you. What is your method for removing gum and the sometimes after stubborn shadow?

 

[GumDestroyer]

Hi dougr,

I simply use 200 deg. water and my Turbo-Nozzle. As far as the shadow, I disclose to my customers the (shadow) verbally upfront and in writing on the Job Proposal.
I verbally tell my customers that as time goes by and as I keep up on the sidewalks on annual visits... it will gradually fad away.

Do you have any tips on this for me or different methods?

 

[Doug Rucker]

Hi dougr,

I simply use 200 deg. water and my Turbo-Nozzle. As far as the shadow, I disclose to my customers the (shadow) verbally upfront and in writing on the Job Proposal.
I verbally tell my customers that as time goes by and as I keep up on the sidewalks on annual visits... it will gradually fad away.


Do you have any tips on this for me or different methods?

No, I don't. I do it pretty much the same way except I don't use a turbo nozzle. I use a 15 or 25 with very low pressure. Or I should say I use to do it that way. I don;t do commercial work anymore, residential only now.

 

[Grime Busters]

I'd suggest to never use a turbo nozzle on concrete, unless you are stripping paint and the surface will be re-coated.

Low pressure steam, with a 25 degree nozzle. Done correctly, you'll never damage the cream of the concrete. Watch some of my videos on our YouTube channel for a demonstration.

We did a new (contract) shopping center last night, probably popped 500 pieces of gum in less than 1 hour, and did absolutely zero damage to the concrete.

The "shadow" that remains from some gum is simply the oil residue from the gum (how they add the flavoring). Spot each stain with a mild oxalic mix and most stains will vanish within a month.

 

[Gogreenwash]

Gum is tricky and time consuming but with practice and right tools it's no problem.

 

[GumDestroyer]

So you must stay back off it a bit so you don't leave lines with the 15?

 

[GumDestroyer]

Grim Busters,

Great advice. So far (fingers crossed) I have yet to damage the cream but I think I will watch the 25 deg. technique you do to prevent a future problem.

 

[Doug Rucker]

So you must stay back off it a bit so you don't leave lines with the 15?

Yes, let the steam do the work, at least that's how I use to do it.

 

[GumDestroyer]

I didn't see the "low pressure" comment. thanks.

 

[GumDestroyer]

I don't have a steam machine Doug.

 

[New Look]

Hi dougr,

I simply use 200 deg. water and my Turbo-Nozzle. As far as the shadow, I disclose to my customers the (shadow) verbally upfront and in writing on the Job Proposal.
I verbally tell my customers that as time goes by and as I keep up on the sidewalks on annual visits... it will gradually fad away.

Do you have any tips on this for me or different methods?

Next month when we do our monthlys I will try to remember to shoot pics/video of us removing gum!

 

[GumDestroyer]

I look forward to that!!