OT:- Cleaning Diesel Stain from block paved drive.

[DickDastardly40]

Guys,

My parents have had a diesel spill on their block paved drive which has stained the brick work. I haven't seen it yet, so am unaware of the extent but i was wondering if concrete cleanser such as muriatic (sp) acid will work and will there be any pitfalls such as taking the colour pigment out of the bricks or having to do the entire drive (quite a few square feet) to get it to match.

I am uneasy about any idea of pressure washing it as I have heard that this washes the sand substrate the bricks are bedded on away, but any other ideas gratfully recieved.

TIA

Al

[The Artful Bodger]

If the blocks are laid in sand maybe you can lift the stained ones and turn them over.

[Circlip]

You know what ever you do is going to be painfull Al, If they're stained, only way is going to be a replacement. If you can turn the existing ones, can you play chess with them and "Loose" them around the edges of the drive??

Regards Ian.

[Timleech]

You could try moistening & then sprinkling on an enzyme 'clothes wash improver' powder, we have stuff in the UK called Biotex, leave it for a day or two or until rain washes it off. Might help a bit, I've used it on concrete with some success.

Tim

[GadgetBuilder]

It might be worth trying some kitty litter to absorb the oil. It's slow but easy to try. Test first on a small section to ensure the dust+oil vacuums up. May still require washing afterward.

John

[kendall]

For original pick up I've found that plain old sawdust works better than most 'special' compounds.

To get rid of the stain afterwards, I really like the way purple power works.
http://www.clean-rite.com/

I used to use super clean from castrol, but castrol sold it, and the new stuff is nowhere near as good. purple power is as good as the old superclean.

before:
http://picasaweb.google.com/merc2dog...84292490375650

after:
http://picasaweb.google.com/merc2dog...84295532327842

No connection, just like the stuff.

Ken.

[SDL]

Guys,

My parents have had a diesel spill on their block paved drive which has stained the brick work. I haven't seen it yet, so am unaware of the extent but i was wondering if concrete cleanser such as muriatic (sp) acid will work and will there be any pitfalls such as taking the colour pigment out of the bricks or having to do the entire drive (quite a few square feet) to get it to match.

I am uneasy about any idea of pressure washing it as I have heard that this washes the sand substrate the bricks are bedded on away, but any other ideas gratfully recieved.

TIA

Al

Polycleans brush cleaner poured on and scrubbed repeat several times then follow up with biological washing powder then pressure washer. (Dont ask how i Know)

Pressure washing, washes the sand out in the joints, get block paving sand (Dried so it flows) and brush back in after all has dried for a few days if we ever have 3 dry days in a row ever again.

Cant turn blocks over as there is a bevel not on the bottom.

Steve Larner

[aboard_epsilon]

best thing you can do is brush strong solution of bio washing powder into it.

leave for one hour

then have a hose pouring over it for a few hours ..the oil stain will float out.

all the best.mark

[fixxit]

I would recommend Trisodium phosphate.

Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a cleaning agent, stain remover and degreaser, once commonly used to prepare surfaces for painting.

It is very effective as a degreaser.
You can still find it in the painting supplies section of your hardware store, and it is not expensive. (Buy the real thing, not a TSP substitute.)

At one time it was the most common ingredient of over the counter cleaners, laundry and dishwashing detergents, but the phosphate, being a fertilizer, would cause algal blooms in the bodies of water into which the drains led. This led the EPA to ban its general use. It is still available for paint surface preparation because it leaves no residue.

I also use TSP mixed with chlorine bleach to remove the mildew and dirt from the vinyl siding of my house. The combination is very effective.

For the stain, mix up a strong hot solution and work it in with a stiff brush, give it some time to work. Wear rubber gloves.

Fixxit

[murph64]

I would recommend Trisodium phosphate.

Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a cleaning agent, stain remover and degreaser, once commonly used to prepare surfaces for painting.

It is very effective as a degreaser.
You can still find it in the painting supplies section of your hardware store, and it is not expensive. (Buy the real thing, not a TSP substitute.)

Fixxit

How well would this stuff work on blacktop? Got a few spots I'd like to get rid of before I sealcoat it.


Murph