Saving soles: New technology rescues gum-laden sidewalks
The Business Journal of Phoenix - February 2, 2007
by Ty Young
The Business Journal

A year ago, Valley Real Estate professional, Derek Mills found himself in a sticky situation. After stepping in twice in one week a light bulb went off. How could he turn this all too common problem into a booming business?
After talking to a few business owners and commercial property managers, he had his answer.

Mills created GumBlasters of Arizona, a company that uses a special European technology to remove dried gum with 350-degree dry- steam. The innovative approach improves upon the typical style of gum removal, called power washing, Mills said.

"Using steam is environmentally safe and basically works faster," he said. "There is no wasted water, which will just end up spraying all over the windows and buildings when power washing."
The GumBlasters machine directs steam onto the gum, lifting it off the most textured surfaces, Mills said. Instead of power washing, which forces dozens of gallons of water on the gum, or leaving cuts on the surface by scraping the gum off, the steam leaves no evidence it’s been used.
"You're just left with a clean surface," Mills said.

The steam-cleaning machine uses a special, environmentally safe additive to help lift gum off any texture in 10 seconds. Mills would not say what that ingredient is, but said it works.
Others in the Valley agree.

Since starting the company in August, he has held presentations for dozens of companies, landing his first job at the Chandler Center for the Arts in December. Citing competitive reasons, Mills would not disclose the value of the deal.

"I was very intrigued by it. It was a different technology than what we've used in the past," said Katrina Mueller, manager of the Chandler Center of the Arts.
For years, the center used traditional means to remove gum, both power washing and scraping. After witnessing the GumBlasters method, Mueller said the comparison was "night and day."

With this particular technology it basically evaporates the gum," she said. "There was no residue left and no marks left from scraping."
Mills also currently is negotiating deals with Arizona State University, Wells Fargo & Co. and Life Time Fitness in Tempe, but would not say how close he is to signing a contract with them.
"I think it's a very good service," said Tom Sassatelli, associate buyer in the ASU purchasing department. "We think it's very viable."

Tom Stumper, operations manager at Life Time Fitness in Tempe, said he expects to use GumBlasters in the near future.
"The service is awesome," he said. "I was impressed by how fast and clean the process was."
Mills, who lives in Gilbert, expects the business to take off, considering all of the gum-chewers in the Valley. Since starting the business, he has immersed himself in the chemicals and ingredients in gum.

"It's the gum base that is left on the ground after all the flavors wash out," he said. "That's the black mark on the ground, the stuff that sticks to your feet, that follows you home."
Along with his employees, Mills conducts daily demonstrations for companies across the Valley. Charging around .10 to .50 cents per square foot, he hopes to capitalize on the thousands of miles of walkways and storefronts in need of a quick facelift.

"We are really the only environmentally sound and cost-effective solution to this problem," he said. "You wouldn't go to a restaurant if it had dirty windows or food stuck on the menu. It really is pollution in many ways."
Get connected
GumBlasters: http://www.gumblasters-az.com/

Power Washing and Risk Management

Facilities need to be cleaned regularly for cosmetic reasons, as well as for safety and liability concerns. Prior to resealing a surface, areas also need to be prepped, so a new seal will bond correctly, adding years to its useful life. Also, automotive fluids and salts need to be removed from concrete to prevent corrosion and expensive repair costs.

Pressure washers are powerful cleaning machines that utilize hot or cold water under high pressure for cleaning parking structures, sidewalks, stairs, walkways, and entrances. Pressure washers are also the moste effective and cost effective method for removing oil, grease, gum, salts, tire marks, and dirt.

The Problem:

The wastewater pressure washers generate contains everything they are removing from the surface being cleaned. The most common method for disposing of this wastewater is to simply hose it down the nearest storm drain, which leads to our nearest creek or river.

One quart of used motor oil contaminates 250,000 gallons of fresh water! Pressure washers generate approximately 10K-20K gallons of wastewater for every 100,000-150,000 square feet of surface being cleaned. Used motor oil contains lead, copper, cadmium and chromium, all toxic to humans and wildlife. Many operators also incorporate toxic agents with their pressure washing service, such as Muratic Acid and de-greasers.

It's very important for "facility managers" to diligently instruct service providers not to discharge wastewater from their facility into the storm drain. Forty percent of water pollution is from automotive fluids washing off paved surfaces from normal rainfall and from cleaning activities.

Why Should Property Manager be Concerned?

The clean water act "is the principle law governing polluition control and water quality of the U.S. waterways." The objective of the act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation's waters.

The part of the act that "facility managers" and "property managers" should give serious consideration and risk assessment to is the penalty section. In March, 2004, the clean Water Act administration increase penalties to $32,500 for Class 1 penalties and $157,000 for Class 2 penalities. The maximum penalty per violation remains at $11,000 per day (www.epa.cgov/).

Among discharges prohibited to storm drains is "Power (pressure) washer that cleans such things as equipment, a restaurant's solid waste storage areas, or a parking lot and discharges the process water into a storm drain.

If the wastewater generated contains any significant levels of oil, grease and metals, the wastewater must be pretreated prior to discharging to the on site sewer or it must be hauled by a licensed water hauler.

How to Identify a Compliant Pressure Washing Company:

Before hiring, ask for a demonstration, which should include wastewater management. Really LOOK at their equipment and know what to look for...

1. Industrial Vacuum/Not shop Vac's

2. 500-1,000 Gallon holding tanks

3. Wastewater processor

4. Sewer Discharge permit from each city they operate.

5. If hauling off site, be sure to ask for a manifest and proof of legal disposal