Ritchie,
If that works for you, fine, but for others who don't want to be replacing damaged carpets, there are easier and safer ways of removing gum.
If you have high enough heat at the wand, it will release and be extracted as suggested by Shaun and Doug.
If your machine can't supply enough heat, you can use a heatgun, or better still a steamer, preferably one with built in vacuum.
There is often a residue remaining, which should be wiped with a piece of towel soaked in solvent, wrung out and applied quickly. If this is not done there will often be black, sticky residue, which will increase in size by " collecting " dust, etc.
robert m