Curb Stain

[ChicagoSeal]

Hello all,

I'm a sealcoater, and basically in short here is my problem:

A worker left a valve open spilling about 150 gallons of sealer on street/curb. The curb is what I have to remove the sealer from. On the Sealcoating forums it was suggested I use a 3,000 PSI pressure washer with a turbo tip, which I then did. No luck, a tiny bit of the sealer came off with the pressure washer, but really only a few inches (the stain is about 15 feet long). I'm wondering if there is any way to remove this, as I cannot get paid for this big job until I remove it.

Thanks

 

[PressurePros]

If it is an acrylic sealcoating you are going to have to replace the curb. If its petroleum based you could try using a caustic like sodium hydroxide and rent a hot water rig.

 

[ChicagoSeal]

It is a coal tar sealer.

It is a high quality sealer, not one of those oily subtances that makes a driveway look bright and shiny, and it is a rather thick sealer as well.

 

[Mark]

I would suggest contacting a Power Wash Professional
in your area, try a search on: www.YellowPages.com
for pressure washing or steam cleaning in chicago.

I think you will need a minimum of 5 GPM @ 3000 PSI
at 200 degrees F.

http://www.yellowpages.com/sp/yello...=3&t=0&st=IL&s=2&ci=chicago&_requestid=145820

http://www.yellowpages.com/sp/yello...=3&t=0&st=IL&s=2&ci=chicago&_requestid=146414

Maybe a contractor from this BBS can help you.

 

[ChicagoSeal]

Ok, thanks, pulled up about 5 companies that are within a decent distance. I'll give em a call tomorrow, or if they are closed Monday.

Also, do rental companies usually have industrial strength pressure washers? And do pressure wash companies rent out equipment ever?

And one more question, sorry but I'm not a huge pressure wash expert What's an average cost I could expect to pay in a suburban area that has a lot of companies for a 15 foot sealcoat stain removal on the curb?

I'm not sure if you are allowed to post prices on these forums, if you are not perhaps you can ballpark it? I have no idea if I'm looking at a 30 dollar charge or a 300 dollar charge on this type of thing.

Thanks again guys, really appreciate it.

Ryan

 

[Dave Ott]

More Zeros on the last one

 

[ChicagoSeal]

Add zeroes to 300 bucks? For a heated power wash on a 15 foot curb?

 

[PressurePros]

Hey Ryan,

I'm not sure if Dave meant thats what it woukd cots to buy a machine of that caliber. If you find a guy that has the equipment, chemical knowlege and experience in cleaning this up for you, figure on spending quite a bit more than you will renting a machine. We have a $350 job minimum some guys may have more or less. If a guy doesn't have a minimum I can't see someone charging you much more than $10/ l.f.

 

[john orr]

Sorry to "pile on", but have you given any thought as to recovery? If there is a storm drain anywhere nearby, you will need to prevent runoff from entering. I can assure you that a concerned citizen will make a call. and the damage can be traced to you.

My advice is to spend whatever you need to spend to do this right. A discharge of this size/composition could cause significant pollution. Is this substance flammable? Were you required to report this as a hazmat incident?

Good luck. You may want to get your insurance company involved.

 

[ChicagoSeal]

Well that's another thing, it is not designated as a hazardous material, yet you wouldn't find any legit sealcoater letting it drain into a sewer or throwing a bucket of it in a garbage can.

I'm going over there in a few hours to try to torch some of it off, and see how that works. If it works somewhat, then I have a solution. You can't work for money in this town on Sundays without a special permit, so no power washers can do anything today.

 

[Jon Fife]

CHicagoseal,

....like has been said, even if it is a small job, you'll be deal with minimums. I doubt someone will "mess" with it for less than $300 or so. Being said, would it be possible to Grind it off?? That would eliminate the wastewater/enviro issue, you could do it yourself, and might get a good results. I have no idea---just throwing something out. I know concrete can be ground effectively--whether or not it would be acceptable for what you are doing, I don't know.

 

[ChicagoSeal]

And no I wasn't required to report this as a hazmat incident. I've checked into all of that, I've handled it correctly so far, save for if I want to I might want to call the village bc it is their curb, but I'd rather try to fix it first.

 

[Larry L.]

I'm just guessing,soak carpet in degreaser and lay it on the sealcoat your wanting to remove,It may have to soak for several hours.

 

[ChicagoSeal]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I've found a place nearby with a pressure washer that may work:

Michigan Power Cleaning - Combination Pressure Washer
Information: Product | Specs | Operating | Safety

Specs (Specifications may change due to continuous product development)

4 gpm at 3000 PSI

13 HP Honda Engine

Cold - Up to 3000psi
Hot - Up to 3000psi, 200 °
Steam - Up to 3000psi, 235 °

Those are specs. From what I've read (the Manf. specs don't specify) coal-tar should melt at 175 degrees.

So hopefully with this power and 200 degree water, it will come off.

After that, I will try a plumber's torch.

If that isn't working, a concrete capable sand blaster may work.

Anybody heard of a Soda Blaster? Somebody in the sealcoat forums just mentioned that it would completely take it off.

As to the post above, I tried putting a heavy duty bug tar type thing on there, soaked it for two hours, came back, soaked it again, took a steel wire brush, no luck.

Hopefully the first option will work, as Mark suggested, tho it is 4gpm, he said 5gpm min. would recommended. I'll have to take my chances on that.

Thanks again guys, I'll let you know how this develops.

 

[Mark]

Good Luck, let us know how it works out. [hello]