Cleaning concrete - Hot water vs. Chemicals

[derekcaldwell]

I landed a big job cleaning walkways for a commercial property management company. However, now that I've begun the job they are asking questions about my methods. I'm using a Hot Water Steam LANDA Unit and everything seems to cleaning fine. The gum and tar are popping off and all dirt, mold and grease are being removed. BUT the "boss" is wondering how I can clean without using chemicals. My response is I only use chemicals when necessary and that hot water is more than adeqaute. Or if my hot water unit isn't working I then use cold water combined with chemicals. Is this a correct response?

 

[Micah]

I would inform the "boss" he would see a jump in price if you were to use a chemical with little or no real benefits. However, I would test an area with a chemical to make sure that the concrete is really as clean as what it could be.

 

[Clean County]

Also if your using chemicals you have to reclaim it or someone can be in big trouble. Tell that to the bossman and also tell him that if you where to use chemicals the price will jump up accordingly. Hot water should be enough to clean up the grime and pop up the gum and thats pretty much all he needs. Quick note technically you are supposed to reclaim also when cleaning with hot water because the heat loosens up the grime..but..that not as enforced in most area's yet compared to cleaning commercial flatwork with chemicals.

 

[Mark]

A Good Soap / Chemical will speed up
the cleaning process and probably leave the
concrete cleaner! [hello]

In Sacramento they are enforcing wash water
recovery even if you do not use soap!

Technically by the letter of the law
(see Clean Water Act) nothing but stormwater
is allowed to enter the storm drains.

 

[Henry Bockman]

Mark is right, a good chem will clean faster and better usually. Hot water use doesn't free you from liablity either, it can also cause problems with the Clean Water Act because it "could" change the temperature of the water it's running into.

I don't agree with this personally when were talking about a river the size of the Potomac, but that's what I was told when contacting officials for cleaning the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials earlier this year.
Even without using chems!

Also, just because your only using water does not mean the EPA can't officially nail you for it. Whenever we remove dirt from a surface we are legally responsible for what happens to it.

This is what I was told by local AHJ's

 

[Revive]

Highjack


Mark, or ????

What soap/chem would you suggest to get rid of coffee/coke stains on concrete,new or old????? Please and thanks


And now back to the EPA comments.

 

[Mark]

BD-6 is a good concrete & all around non caustic butyl degreaser.
BD-6 55# Gallon Drum Kit $189.

 

[ImthePrez]

what degree heat are you using?

 

[Torque454]

I've tried many different cleaners on concrete and very rarely have anything come cleaner or faster with the chemical and hot water than with hot water alone. I've always got some on board to try if I am having trouble with something but its very rare.

And lets put it this way, the cleaner I use when I am having trouble getting concrete clean is so strong that when you add it to cold water it heats the water up on its own. And some of that "steam" coming off the concrete isnt steam at all. Has alot of sodium hydroxide and god knows what else in it. Its actually stuff sold by a local chemical company that places use in hot tanks for cleaning engine blocks and stuff like that.

Thats how bad the concrete has to be and what kind of chemical it takes to get it clean if hot water alone wont do it. I make sure to dilute it pretty good afterwards.