Removing gum from concrete...How to? Who does it? Los Angeles area.?

Question

The courtyard of an apartment building I own has lots of old chewing gum blobs stuck to the concrete. It looks awful. Now that the landscaping and paint is complete, the gum stains are all I see when I look at the concrete. I have been looking online for companies who clean gum from concrete, and I came upon a company called Revorvrx based in Agoura, but I can't find any listing for this company....only an article about small businesses that describes what they do. They use a European machine called GumBusters, I think, which has low water usage, a contained non-hazardous solvent, and heat to dissolve the gum. They can rent the machine, sell the machine, or come remove gum for property owners. Does anyone know how I can find this company or one like it in the Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley area? Or is there anyone who has experience with removing gum from concrete that could tell me how to do it myself? I do not want to do high pressure power washing.

I don't want to use a power washer because the gum has been there for a REALLY long time and the power wash companies have even said that the wads will come off but the concrete will still be stained. If the companies can't even vouch for the method for this use, then who am I to argue with them?

Answer 1

Gum removal
http://www.recovrxusa.com/gum_removal_services.html

RecovrX Inc.
Environmental Recovery Service
1315 W. 130th St.
Gardena, CA., 90247
310-323-6960
[e-mail]

Answer 2

I'm wondering....why don't you want to use a pressure washer? it's a more cost effective move in the long run. They are very fun to use and they clean everything...very well. Pressure washers are one of the most useful pieces out outdoor maintenance equipment. You could make all of your concrete look new again--even better than simply removing gum. I even use mine on ornamental trees after I prune them to clean the bark and remove dead needles. I wash my car with it, I clean the entire exterior of the house, the sidewalks, the rock work, sculptures, deck, roof, outdoor furniture, the lawnmowers, gravels,..everything.

They don't use much water compared to a garden hose and if you don't want to spend money to buy one, you can rent one. You don't need a big one that runs on gasoline, this one works very well: http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0259757452.1153074430@@@@&BV_EngineID=cchgaddigdhgjjfcgelceffdfgidgll.0&MID=9876

Update: if used properly, there should be no stain after using the pressure washer. You can remove the outermost thin surface of the concrete with the pressure washer if you use enough pressure and the right attachment--it looks better that way because the concrete underneath looks new. If the stain is really deep, you can use a cleaning agent intended for use on concrete or use something like Greased Lightning or Mean Green to get rid of the residual stain....and if even those chemicals don't work, try Tea Tree Oil, 'Oops all purpose remover and cleaner' Turpentine, Naptha, Toluene, or as a last resort, a heavy duty chemical paint stripper to dissolve the stain. Just make sure the stripper is environmentally friendly.

Answer 3

I have a high pressure washer...and that doesn't always get it off.
I know this will be a pain in the butt.........but if you do one a day....like a vitamin....you're place will be less sticky looking!

I use a simple razor blade and just cut it off. If you put a little piece of ice on it...it comes off even easier. For and residue goo til stuck on their I use a product call Goo B Gone. Works rather well. So stock up on the goo b gone -they now sell it in a spray too (I just picked one up!) Grab yer cooler full of ice....get a box of blades and spare a little of your time like during a commerical or while yer waitin' for the timer to DING that somethings ready..... of course when it's cooler out then....go scrape of those little suckers off the concrete. It's really easier than one would think..............but not as easy as if the little slobs didn't spit it on the concrete to begin with! he!he!

Good luck to you!!
Hey, let your neighbors know your doing it.............maybe they'll pitch in .............have a race who can collect the most wads. Winner gets..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
A free pack of gum! (Gee.............great!) You could have
an on-going job forever.........
SmileyCat : )

Answer 4

A lot of ice, for a long time, then pour salt over it. The gum will break off... or simply wait for a freeze in winter.

Otherwise use a high pressure washer. My first tip will work better and faster in the long run.

Answer 5

Bay Area

Answer 6

use a pressure washer and add some bleach, it will not only take away all that old chewing gum but also clean your concrete.

Answer 7

Peanut butter and a wire brush.

Answer 8

OH!! I KNOW!!! I KNOW!!!
thank you for picking me
look you get a peace of ice, you freeze it and pull it off

the four faced master