[clive.h]

Hi is it safe to use citrus jel on bitchumen backed carpet tile if not what is safe for removing gum

[derek west]

steam

[expro]

To be really safe use a chewing gum freezer or steam.

[markpowell]

The answer is Yes it is safe, the gel will sit on the top of the tile and not run to the backing.
MArk

[derek west]

have to disagree there mark, we did experimient with oj and i wouldn't put that stuff within 10ft of bitumen. if there very low profile which most bit backs are then even the fumes can set it off. but each to there own eh!

[expro]

Mark,

I see your point But it is risky and if not rinsed out well will cause bitumen bleed.

On old/worn low profile carpet tiles there is very little room for error.

I have seen bitumen bleed on new tiles because the cleaner did not fully

understand the technique of using a gel.

Expro

[Adam Fearnley]

How do you identify bitumen backed carpet tiles??

[Hilton]

Bitumen backed tiles are very stiff and usually have a grey or black backing, you can test one by lifting it and rubbing the edge against a hard surface, it will leave an oily black/brown line.

I would not recommend using solvents or gels on them unless you are going to extract off almost immediately.

Its true that gels sit on top but get any near a join and up will pop the oil with a nice brown stain.

A company we know cleaned 3500 sq ft of carpet tiles in West London and used various solvents in the process and extracted after wards, all looked lovely.............Until the next day.

Great swathes of brown staining all over the floor, it was not restorable and cost their insurance £25k to get it replaced.

We do not recommend HWE on carpet tiles, we bonnet clean them all with good results, as mentioned they must be pre-vacuumed otherwise soil wick back will occur.

[Ken Wainwright]

What Expro said.

I use Rid-A-Gum regularly on bitumen backed tiles. Minimum amount and absorb out well with a towel before Dry Fusion. It's a different type of solvent and allows a much bigger window for error than other solvents.

But then, I am very good at what I do

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[peter maybury]

I have cleaned 100 s of 1000 s of sq mtrs of carpet tile in the last 20 years and have never had any issues with gel and removing gum or any problems using very hot water extraction. It is very easy to over complicate things if you want to. We do use LM. quite often and very often use a combination of both.  We will often use one system in a part of the building and the other in another part. With
Peter
www.carpetclearcardiff.com

[Adam Fearnley]

Is it safe to use solvent free chemicals such as microsplitters then? aswell as check there's no gaps between tiles.

[clinton]

Same  as peter and never had an issue with the gels,there again its a lot to do with a learning curve and experience..

Better to be safe for a newbie and go carefull