[preston powerblast]

Hi guys need a bit of advice here.
Had a call tonight from one of the filling stations that i periodically clean.
The owner has asked me if I could give him a price on cleaning and pumping out the bays where the the tanks are filled.
As there has become a build up of water and petrol and diesel residue.
I think this waste will have to be disposed of in the proper manner and not just pumped out.
So any advice would be greatly appreciated.
                  Thanks in advance
                                           Gary

[mobile valeting & Power wash Services]

Hi Gary,
your right if pumping out must be pumped into a suitable approved container and disposed of iaw hazardous / chemical waste disposal. this can be very costly. Check on your insurance re working in close proximity to explosive materials also my insurance wouldn't touch it which is in the small print, ok working in petrol stations and chemical works but there is a clause with referance proximity of holding tanks have been offered this type of work before but have not been able to do it due to insurance and the close proximity to explosive material, if there is not much in the way of liquid waste use rags and bag them, then use the chemicals with the washer then rag it again for the clean up it's easier to dispose of rags than liquid waste just a thought all the best.
Malky 

[preston powerblast]

Your right Malky, there is a clause about explosive materials.
In very small print.
It was just a thought as i like to help this guy out when I can as he's been good to me.
In the bays there is about two and a half feet of yucky water, this is contaminated with petrol and diesel.
My insurance does cover me to work on forecourts and canopies.

[mobile valeting & Power wash Services]

two and a half feet forget the rag idea, option 2 use a manual hand pump into containers for him and let the garage deal with it via the petrol supplier, then do the clean up as normal with the rags to finish, talking a lot of money either way get the disposal of waste in writing to prevent any comeback best of luck, sounds like your insurance is the same as mine
Malky

[mark bowditch]

Hi Gary,
Don’t know if this will help but instead of using a manual pump have you thought about using a mud sucker that runs from your power washer.
It will suck large amounts of liquid, and you can get them for about £50

I’m getting ready to start up pressure washing next year as this is an area I would like to get into.
Is it as bad as the forum make out to be as they all say don’t touch forecourts.
Best Regards
Mark
Have a nice Christmas.

[preston powerblast]

Cheers for that Mark, but i think it needs something a bit more heavy duty than that.
There is a lot of good money to made from cleaning garage forecourts.
You can read about all the ins and outs from the garage owners manual.
If you need any help and advice I will be only too happy to help.
                           Gary

[mark bowditch]

Hi Gary,
The mudsucker is capable of pumping between 8,000 to 18,000 litres per hour depending on pressure washer.
A lot of people in the forum do use them and I’ve read every page.
Where can I get hold of the manual, I’ve done an internet search but cannot find it.
How often would you recommend that you clean a forecourt.
I may come back to you when I start for info.
Best Regards
Mark

[preston powerblast]

you have to talk nicely to the garage owner.
I do mine three times a year.
I do the drains around the power wash every month.
I do the facias around the canopy every three months.

[mobile valeting & Power wash Services]

Gary, are you going to do the bay job, just being nosey if yes let us know how you get on.
Malky

[preston powerblast]

No I've decided not to do the job.
I have weighed up all the pro's and cons and I dont think at this moment in time I will be doing this service for him.
No.1. I am not insured to do such work.
No.2. I am not in a position to carry or dispose of the relevant waste.
No.3 Its a very dirty and smelly job and if I was to get down and clean it thouroughly then I would have to purchase the relevant suit and hire breathing apperatus..
So I will leave it to the pros.