What Is A Concrete Washout Area?
What Is A Concrete Washout Area?
A concrete washout area is an area designated and constructed to receive, store, and contain the liquid waste created by washing off tools or other items used in constructing concrete.
It is usually divided into a number of sections, each designed to capture and contain run-off from different sources such as concrete mixer chutes, dump trucks, mobile batch mixers, or pump trucks.
The water should be stored in an impervious container that won’t leak toxins into the surrounding environment.
The water must be monitored for pH levels, turbidity, and total suspended solids. Properly constructed washout areas protect adjacent land from dangerous runoff resulting from cleaning activities related to concrete operations.
What Is Concrete Washout Material?
Concrete washout material is a toxic and caustic mixture of water and chemicals that can be corrosive and damaging to the environment.
It has a pH of nearly 12, much higher than Drano liquid drain cleaner which has a pH of 13.5, and can cause harm to fish gills, and eyes, interfere with reproduction, and damage ecosystems if it enters natural waterways.
Effective management of concrete washout materials is therefore essential to protect the environment from their potentially hazardous effects.
What Is A Concrete Washout Box?
A Concrete Washout Box is a convenient and effective way to handle wastewater from concrete, drywall mud, stucco, paint, mortar and other wet waste at construction sites.
It is made up of a corrugated fiberboard box with a disposable plastic liner which meets EPA compliance standards.
The box can be transported easily from site to site and is designed to help keep harmful material away from the environment with its safe and secure containment of liquid wastes for easy cleaning.
How Do You Prevent Concrete Washout?
To prevent concrete washout, it is important to limit the amount of concrete being mixed and never to wash out trucks into storm drains, open ditches, streets, streams or onto the ground.
Washouts should only be performed in designated areas where they will not reach stormwater in order to minimize potential impacts from sedimentation. Having proper protocols and procedures in place can help reduce the risk of contaminating surface water runoff.
What Is The PH Of A Concrete Washout?
Concrete and cementitious washout wastewater is highly corrosive and caustic, with a pH of over 12. This is similar to the pH levels of Liquid Drano or other household cleaners, meaning caution should be taken while handling it.
As concrete has a high alkalinity level, several precautions need to be taken to protect personnel from potential chemical burns during disposal.
Health and safety measures must also be followed to contain the acidic runoff during washouts for proper disposal in order to protect marine life and other humans who may come into contact with this hazardous material.
How Big Should A Concrete Washout Be?
The concrete washout area should have the minimum dimension of 6 feet by 6 feet by 3 feet deep, with a 10mil polyethylene liner covering it which should be free of tears or holes and placed on smooth surfaces to prevent puncturing.
In addition, it must also adhere to 2:1 side slopes and a 1-foot high by 1-foot wide compacted fill berm for optimal performance.
Does It Hurt To Pressure-Wash Concrete?
Yes. Power washing concrete surfaces can be dangerous if done incorrectly. High-pressure water from a power washer can erode the surface of the concrete, leading to visible damage that is irreversible.
Even with light-duty power washers, you may notice signs of erosion if caution is not taken. The best way to avoid this type of damage is by using a low-pressure setting and limiting the use to just occasionally spot cleaning areas.