Power-washing oil spill, what do i need to know?

Question

Just wondering what regulations i might need to concider when using a pressure washer to clean up an oil spill. Also if there is anything i can use to improve the efficiency with which the oil is removed? is fairy liquid an adaquate enough degreaser to use, or would somthing stronger be more approprate?

Answer 1

An 'oil spill' sounds fairly big. You may wish to contact your local council and ask their advice. They should be able to provide you with a list of registered approved contractors who can clean up and dispose of the oil safely and responsibly.

I will have to remove several oil spots from a drive way and I am planning on using some swarfega instead of fairy liquid and working it well into the stains.

As has been mentioned, sand is a good absorber and the local amenity site or recycling centre should be able to advise you on disposal.

Watch if you are using a pressure washer near tarmacadam as it can lift the tarmacadam.

Answer 2

the responsibility for the clean up will be down to the person who caused the contamination where that person or company can be found. failing that the local authority will arrange for a licensed and qualified company to clean it up  and pay them.

   There are several means of cleaning up oil but it really depends on several factors .  is the ground absorbent? will it run of into water courses (streams ,drains etc) what  you need to look at is a quick way of getting the bulk off the floor such as sand or sawdust for quick and easy or a specialist chemically approved agent WHO is commercially available.

  the deagreasing can be by washing up liquid or powder but  there are also more effective degreasing agents around. None of these are allowed to contaminate local water courses though.

  A quite word with a fireman may be of benefit as they are frequently asked to hose away such chemicals and oil spills so will have knowledge of best and most effective ways or dispersal without having consequences  for local water courses etc. Even A phone call to  your  council offices can often get free and official advise of best and  legal way to tackle this.

Answer 3

How big is your spill?

If your seen flushing oil into a watercourse, the Environment Agency will prosecute. You might consider something other than a power washer.

Sand, brush and shovel will get the thick up. Bag the contaminated sand and your local  tip should take it as contaminated waste. Then call the Environment Agency who have a proper oil dispersant.

If oil gets into a stream or such they will attempt to follow it back to source.

However if you get the thick up with the sand and it is a small area, washing powder or Fairy Liquid will move it.

Your gamble, they are s**t hot on polluting watercourses.