Machinery washouts are crucial to ensure your equipment works as it’s supposed to and stays operational for years to come. But you have to do more than just hose it down with some water. If you want to keep your vehicles and machinery well-maintained, you need to perform a proper washout. From choosing the right spill containment berms to clearing off large debris, here are five tips to help.
Use the Best Berm for the Job
Berms are a vital part of the wash-down process. They catch all the grease, paint, weeds, dirty water, and chemicals you wash off your machine or vehicle. Without them, these contaminants would all wash into the environment and violate water pollution regulations.
Instead, set up a foam wall berm that catches everything and works with your water collection system. Foam wall berms work well because you can easily drive vehicles, boats, and other equipment into them, and the foam sidewalls pop back into place. They don’t require any difficult set-up and are made with durable PVC material to keep everything contained. With a berm you can count on, you’re ready to start washing out your equipment.
Wash Indoors If You Can
Where you conduct the washout depends on the size of the job. If the vehicle or equipment can fit in a warehouse or workshop, that’s the best place to set up your berm and perform the washout.
You never know when the wind will blow up dust and dirt to set your job back if you’re doing the washout outside. Plus, an indoor washout usually gives you better access to cleaning chemicals and water. Plus, with your berm set up, you won’t have to worry about spills spreading in your workshop. It’s a win-win.
Focus on Big Chunks of Debris First
Before you start with water and cleaning chemicals, take some time to manually remove any big chunks of debris. Branches, dirt clumps, and other buildup can easily be removed with a brush or other tool.
Once this excess debris is cleared out, you can bring out the pressure washer and cleaning supplies to get started.
Get Water Where You Need It with a Water Bladder Tank
If you’re using a portable pressure washer and can’t move your machinery near a water hookup, a portable water bladder tank will be your best friend.
When you need to get clean water from point A (your warehouse) to point B (the equipment you’re cleaning), it’s as easy as putting your portable water bladder in a truck bed or trailer, filling it, and driving to the washout site. Then you’ll have easy access to all the water you need, exactly where you need it.
Double Check Everything Before Leaving the Berm
You’ve scrubbed, sprayed, and wiped down all the nooks and crannies of your machine or vehicle, and now it’s sparkling clean. Time to drive out of the berm, right? Not quite.
Double-checking everything before you drive out can save you tons of time and energy in the future.
If your equipment is still dripping chemicals and debris, you’ll want to check back at regular intervals until it’s all done and dry. Check all those hard-to-reach places and ensure you didn’t miss any spots. While you’re at it, now’s the perfect time to check everything for leaks or parts that need maintenance. Better to take care of it with the berm still in place.
Once that’s all covered, you’re ready to roll. It’s time to process the water according to local Department of Environmental Quality and Federal Water Pollution Control Act regulations and get your squeaky-clean equipment back to the job site.
About AIRE Environmental
When you need water storage and spill containment solutions you can trust, AIRE Environmental has your back. AIRE Environmental—formerly known as AIRE Industrial—offers the equipment you need to take on any job. With over 20 years of stopping spills and helping you get clean water exactly where you need it, AIRE Environmental has the experience to ensure your operation runs smoothly. Whether you need a custom Water Storage Bladder beyond their standard sizing options or Dewatering Bags for filtering turbid water, AIRE Environmental is your source for reliable products that help you get the job done right. Whether you work in the defense sector, emergency response, agriculture, construction, or another industry, you’ll be ready for anything with AIRE Environmental by your side.
Find high-quality berms and other equipment for industrial washouts at https://www.aireenvironmental.com/
Original Source: https://bit.ly/43WlUIq