Removing Chewing Gum From Concrete

PREFACE: The cleaning or removal of stains from concrete may involve the use of liquids, detergents or solvents which may run off on adjacent material, discolor the concrete or drive the stains deeper into porous concrete. Use the products and techniques described here only for the combinations of dirt/stain and concrete specified.

PART 1–GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

1. This procedure includes guidance on removing chewing gum and its residual staining left on concrete using freezing agents and chemical solvents.
2. Safety Precautions:
   1. DO NOT save unused portions of stain-removal materials.
   2. DO NOT store any chemicals in unmarked containers.
   3. Excellent ventilation must be provided wherever any solvent is used. Use respirators with solvent filters.
   4. No use of organic solvents indoors should be allowed without substantial air movement. Use only spark-proof fans near operations involving flammable liquids.
   5. Provide adequate clothing and protective gear where the chemicals are indicated to be dangerous.
   6. Have available antidote and accident treatment chemicals where noted.
3. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
   1. Safety Precautions
   2. Historic Structures Precautions
   3. Submittals
   4. Quality Assurance
   5. Delivery, Storage and Handling Project/Site Conditions
   6. Sequencing and Scheduling
4. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
   
   These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).
   
   For additional information on poulticing, see 04455-02-R.

PART 2–PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS

NOTE: Chemical products are sometimes sold under a common name. This usually means that the substance is not as pure as the same chemical sold under its chemical name. The grade of purity of common name substances, however, is usually adequate for stain removal work, and these products should be purchased when available, as they tend to be less expensive. Common names are indicated below by an asterisk (*).

1. Ice
   
   -OR-
   
   Aerosol Freezing Agents
2. Use one of the following solvents in a poultice (see Section 3.02 below for related procedures):
   Denatured Alcohol:
   1. Other chemical or common names include Methylated spirit*.
   2. Potential hazards: TOXIC AND FLAMMABLE.
   3. Available from hardware store, paint store or printer’s supply distributor.
   4. Denatured alcohol, which carries no liquor tax, should be a satisfactory substitute for ethyl alcohol for stain removing purposes.

-OR-

Chloroform (CHCl3):

1. A colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid with an ether odor used especially as a solvent or as a general anesthetic.
2. Other chemical or common names include Methylene trichloride; Trichloromethane.
3. Potential Hazards: CARCINOGEN; TOXIC: INHALATION, CONTACT AND INGESTION; IF IT DECOMPOSES FLAMABLE.
4. Available from chemical supply house, dry cleaning supply distributor, drugstore or pharmaceutical supply distributor, or paint store.

3. Filler material such as whiting, diatomaceous earth or talc
4. Mineral water
5. Clean dry towels for blotting the area after treatment
6. Clean, potable water
7. Accessible source of water, soap and towels for washing and rinsing in case of emergencies associated with the use of chemicals

2.02 EQUIPMENT

1. For Poulticing:

1. Glass or ceramic container for mixing the solution
2. Wooden utensil for stirring the ingredients

2. Wood or plastic spatula
3. Stiff bristle brushes (non-metallic)

PART 3–EXECUTION

3.01 PREPARATION

1. Protection:
   1. Provide adequate wash solutions (i.e. water, soap and towels) before starting the job.
   2. Whenever acid is used, the surface should be thoroughly rinsed with water as soon as its action has been adequate. Otherwise it will continue etching the concrete even though the stain is gone.

3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

NOTE: Do not try more than one treatment on a given area unless the chemicals used from prior treatment have been washed away.

1. Use a manufactured freezing agent or ice to make the gum brittle and easier to remove.
2. Scrape off as much gum as possible using a wood or plastic spatula.
3. To remove any residual staining, apply a poultice made with denatured alcohol or chloroform (see Section 2.01 above).
   1. Mix whiting material from Section 2.01 with denatured alcohol to create a thick paste. Select the amount of whiting or filler material to make a poultice of the required size. Add denatured alcohol to obtain the proper paste-like consistency.
   2. Thoroughly wet the concrete surface to be treated with clean, clear water.
   3. Apply the mixture to the stained area using a wood or plastic spatula and allow to dry. Be sure to spread the poultice well beyond the stained area. The liquid portion of the paste will migrates into the concrete where it will dissolve some of the staining material. Then the liquid will gradually move back beyond the concrete surface and into the poultice, where it will evaporate, leaving the dissolved staining material in the poultice.
   4. When the poultice has dried, brush or scrape it off with a wooden scraper.
   5. Wash the surface thoroughly with hot water containing sodium orthophosphate.
   6. Thoroughly rinse the area with clean, clear water and allow to dry.
   7. Repeat the process as necessary to sufficiently remove the stain.
4. If treatment with denatured alcohol does not sufficiently remove the stain, try poulticing with chloroform, carbon disulfide or carbon tetrachloride (follow procedures for Section 3.02 C.1-7. above).