Did you know that around 28 million people in the UK use chewing gum? We are one of the biggest gum-chewing countries in the world, getting through around 130 sticks per person each year; that's about 930 million packs, weighing approximately 100,000 tons.
Sadly, a huge amount of this gum ends up on our streets, stuck to pavements, walls, benches, and other public spaces. It's estimated that almost 95% of our streets are contaminated with discarded chewing gum, and many local authorities spend in excess of £7 million a year to employ chewing gum removal services to clean it up.
If you need a gum removal service, Uniwash Team has a range of highly-effective methods to deal with the issue.
Chewing gum is a nuisance. It sticks to everything, it's difficult to remove, and it causes a mess wherever it is dropped.
The main problem is that it is essentially made from plastic, like polyvinyl acetate, the same material you find in plastic bags, bottles, and some types of glue, or polyisobutylene, used in the manufacture of inner tubes. These substances are mixed with resins, flavourings, colouring, sweeteners, and preservatives to make them palatable.
When it's chewed, the temperature change softens the gum, making it pliable. Once discarded, it sticks to surfaces like glue where it will quickly mix with dirt, food waste, ash, and bacteria. Eventually, it sets hard, forming unsightly stains on floors or unwelcome, unhygienic blobs on benches, walls, signs, handrails, etc.
If you're dealing with a chewing gum problem, you may be wondering if you should hire a professional chewing gum removal service.
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to hire a professional. First, think about the size of the area that needs to be cleaned. If it's a small area, you may be able to remove the gum yourself using one of the many home remedies available. However, if the area is large and the gum is deeply embedded, it's best to call in a professional.
Another factor to consider is the type of surface that needs to be cleaned. Some surfaces, such as delicate flooring, can be damaged by harsh chemicals or abrasive tools. A professional chewing gum removal service will have the experience and expertise to remove gum from any surface without damaging it.
Finally, you need to think about your budget. Professional chewing gum removal services will come at a price but will save you a lot of time and hassle. If you don't have the resources, time, or patience to remove the gum yourself, hiring a professional is an excellent option.
Uniwash Team uses a range of methods for removing gum, depending on the surface being treated, including the following:
A special machine designed for cleaning masonry. Superheated water (at around 150º c) is sprayed at low pressure onto the surface to break down dirt. The heated water and residue evaporate, leaving the area clean and fresh.
Like DOFF, but uses a swirling vortex of water, cleaning solution, and fine granules to gently scour the surface, effectively removing stains of all kinds while leaving the substrate intact.
This method basically uses the power of high-pressure water to blast away gum and other unwanted matter. While it's very effective, it has to be used correctly, often in tandem with other methods.
Each one is a highly effective solution for the removal of chewing gum from various surfaces without causing any damage. What's more, some of these methods will clean the entire surface, making it look as good as new!
Basically, anyone can! However, from a practical perspective, it makes more sense for those who are overseeing commercial properties and venues or public areas, such as shopping centres, restaurants, pedestrianised streets, plazas, car parks, bus/railway stations, etc.
For this reason, our gum removal service is usually aimed at business customers for commercial cleaning, although we can also assist domestic customers as well when the need arises.
Our methods are effective on almost any type of surface, including:
Whichever method we select, there's no danger of damage to the material in question.
Plucking random figures out of the air isn't helpful. We need to know the full scale of the project and the material we'll be dealing with, and then we can craft a meaningful quote.
However, we can guarantee the following:
Once you've arranged your appointment with Uniwash Team chewing gum removal service, we will visit your premises to assess the situation. We will then develop a plan of action to remove chewing gum and clean the surface to a high standard. The process may vary depending on the type of material involved and the severity of the gum problem. However, like most professional chewing gum removal services, we often use a combination of methods to remove the gum.
Once the gum has been removed, the surface will be cleaned and sanitized, leaving your property fresh and gum-free.
While few people realise the problems that chewing gum causes, it's no joke for those who are tasked with cleaning it up.
Uniwash Team makes life easier with our high-quality gum removal service, so be sure to call us today for a free quote.
Aside from the tools mentioned above, there are special gum-busting machines that some local authorities use for cleaning pavements. All of these are excellent methods of removing gum from stretches of pavement.
Our tools will remove gum efficiently, no matter how old or hard it is. In some senses, hard gum is easier to remove. Scrape off as much gum as you can with a flat blade, then apply ice cubes (in a plastic bag) or a freezer pack for about 20 minutes. The remaining residue will then break up and can easily be scraped away.
Pressure washing will remove gum from most hard materials, but take care not to damage the surface! Bear in mind, though, that when the gum is gone it may leave lighter patches so the entire area might need cleaning.
For small-scale gum problems, vinegar and lemon juice will dissolve hardened gum stuck to fabric, carpet, or clothes. When getting rid of gum on the floor or carpet, you could use a hair dryer to melt it, then place an old rag on top. The gum will stick to the cloth and you can dissolve the residue with vinegar.
