Pressure Washing Guide

Mockingbird · Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Posts: 37

I want to repaint the garage floor, it is concrete. There is a stain from a leak the car had, I used kitty litter but there is still some discoloration. I tried cleaning with a product that the auto plus people recommended but I fear the paint will not cover. Any suggestions what would work?

Midwestpro · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

Some stains are impossible to remove completely, especially on smooth concrete like a garage floor. I would just wash the floor with a power washer and then etch it with acid like the directions on the garage floor sealer will tell you to do, and then just seal over any remaining discoloration and cover up any stains, that's all you can do.

jamesb · Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 12

What should we do with the waste water? If you involve old oil, chemicals etc then should we not be careful about what happens to the waste water?

Midwestpro · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

Great question!

Yes, to be within the boundaries of the law you should block any drains with an EPA approved drain block. Then you should suck up the water that pools around the block and take it to an EPA approved dump site.

This is what should be done but sadly it rarely is. Most homeowners are not going to mess with it and to be truthful most contractors do not even abide by the law. No waste water of any kind is supposed to go down storm drains or any street drains. Technically even a homeowner washing their car in the driveway can get into trouble if the waste water is going down a drain.

Mockingbird · Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Posts: 37

I never considered the waste water part, so what are you suggesting like a wet vac? or just a mop and bucket and some sort of storage container? Makes me wonder why the water that runs off the ouse during a power wash isn't considered the same way, as waste water that is.

Midwestpro · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

It would be considered the same IF the house is completely surrounded by concrete or asphalt where the water is able to run out to a street drain. But in most cases the house is surrounded with soil (landscaping and grass) and in this case the EPA laws say you do not have to capture the water. The soil will filter the water better than any man-made filter ever could by the time it ever hits a drain if it even gets to a drain.

There are reclaiming vacuums on the market or you can just use a submersible pump. It can be contained in a poly tank.

tongyun · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 52

Midwestpro, you're right that homeowners and professional contractors need to be more responsible in keeping track of what goes down our drains. Everyone seems to be talking about being green right now and this is one of the most important steps to consider when dealing with chemicals or solvents. Thanks for the reminder.