[clive ware]

Hi,
Just popped down from the carpet cleaning forum!
I clean all the carpets in a school including removing  all the chewing gum.
I have tried all sorts of ways to do this but because they are bitumen backed tiles I`m a bit limited. Anyway, I steam most of it off then follow up with a small ammount of solvent on a cloth and rub away what left. Sounds time consuming but got it off to a fine art now.
The caretaker has just contacted me to enquire about treating the chewing gum on the pavements. but I have no idea how to charge for that.
 Do the main chewing gum boys charge by the metre, wad or per hour.
I can knock out a large ammount of carpet in a day - usually about 400-500square metres including chewing gum removal but i`ve got a feeling they would be a bit shocked if I worked out that day rate for gum removal outside! Any advice would be much appriciated.
Many thanks,
Clive

[BDCS]

It all depends on what surface its on, what equipment you have, when it needs doing, if it needs cleaning after and the water available. You say you have a steamer ? what type ?
You need to count the pieces in a metre and average the area to give the total number of pieces and multiply this by the time it takes you to remove one piece with your equipment.
I have both a gum steamer and a hot pressure washer and would sub for a day with both for a sensible amount.
0797 453 7697

[shimpy]

Hi,

   Here is one better way to remove the chewing gum from the carpet, if you could not be able to remove it
   by steam cleaning, then use the following method.This will protect your carpet fiber also.

 
-With the help of a spoon, Scrape away the gum as much as you can,so that carpet fiber could be protected.
  Then Vacuum or brush away loose pieces.After this rub the remaining gum with a plastic bag filled with ice 
  until the gum is frozen.Now with  the spoon, Chip away the frozen gum fragments.
  Dissolve final traces of the stuff by dabbing with a small amount of dry-cleaning fluid.Blot on a detergent   
  solution of mild dish washing liquid and warm water.Then Rinse it thoroughly.

Thanks,
with regards

[shimpy]

Hi,

   Here is one better way to remove the chewing gum from the carpet, if you could not be able to remove it
   by steam cleaning, then use the following method.This will protect your carpet fiber also.

 
-With the help of a spoon, Scrape away the gum as much as you can,so that carpet fiber could be protected.
  Then Vacuum or brush away loose pieces.After this rub the remaining gum with a plastic bag filled with ice 
  until the gum is frozen.Now with  the spoon, Chip away the frozen gum fragments.
  Dissolve final traces of the stuff by dabbing with a small amount of dry-cleaning fluid.Blot on a detergent   
  solution of mild dish washing liquid and warm water.Then Rinse it thoroughly.

Thanks,
with regards

[Cheap Skate]

Average cost for exterior gum removal is 10 pence per piece.