Hey guys,

I really think we need to come up with (as in industry) some educational material on proper wash out areas for homebuilders and such. When I do residential work the wash out areas are terrible or none existant. The EPA has guidelines on this area but none seem to keep up witht their areas. Half the time when you back up into an area it is full of dried concrete and a hazard to your truck or you wind up getting more mud and sludge on your truck then if you pulled onto a muddy set up area. So we wind up slinging it down the roads and creating a mess for residents already moved in. Does anyone agree? Should th ACPA make up such a booklet to pass on to contractors?

I hate the wash out tubs in the freezing conditions.  They freeze and get slippery.  They jam them in side by side on big jobs.  They place them where it is a nightmare trying to manuever over to them.   Usually you have to wait for some other deliver truck or transfer to move out of the way.  I did a job for CalTrans and the prime and washout area wasn't reachable to prime into, and the ground wasn't stable to get into with the boom pump, to washout.  No thinking is ever put into the washout area.  Everyone is thinking of the pour and not what encompasses the entire pour.  I've seen washout areas with low hanging trees, which can cause havoc on mixer trucks booster axle fenders, power lines, you name it.  Then you have someone walking around wanting to know "who spilled that lil bit of concrete on the ground".....and it is usually a spot that they will be paving over in a week...lol.

Well, as usual, you may count on Georgia. There are no regulations in place to say 'where or how' one may wash out. As long as the washout stays clear of the sewer system and makes the property owner / developer happy, you are good to go.

Not an abundance of "GREEN" thinking here. And that is really too bad.

i have a work order that if i need to get it signed because of concerns it states that waste containment is customers responsibly and if things do not work out for me why should i do constrution clean up only if i do not have another job to go to and iam on the clock at $90- per hour i can ask them if they would like me to stay or go.

Eugene,

I have that on my job work order tickets as well. The reality however in this competitive market is something totally different. If you refuse to do a job because of improper washout areea you may not get that customer back again. I have washed out in pastic swimming pools before to keep the customer happy. I know also, most of the work I do is for sub-contracters. The finishers in this area all sub-contract all the concrete work so they do not control how the wash out areas are kept. Yet they are responsible for providing the areas. It's mind boggeling sometimes how we as an industry let things get like this just so we can take away someone else's customers. I think education is the key. We all should try and think Green like BOB said above. I would not want my house built on some of those washout lots.

Russ

Der--are you referring to the infamous concrete washout systems?

Russ

Russ, yes, those dang wash out tubs.  While on a mixer over in Truckee last year, I slipped and fell right into the stupid thing.  It was covered with ice, there was no room to get to it easily.  The snow was built up all around it....the truck couldn't make it up the ramp because of the ice/snow.   I HATE 'EM....lol.

One job I was on they built a square out of 4 hay bales and I was told to washout in them. I was like yeah right, that works for the concrete trucks but is impossible for me. Sometimes there is not a whole lot of planning that goes on when it comes to washout areas. I think they just build them to say they have one so it looks good on the contractor.

It just amazes me what these contractors expect us to do. I pulled up to a job once in a established residential neighborhood. They wanted me to

A. Boom over a house with a clearance of 2 feet from a power line and B. Then washout into a small and I mean small swimming pool. This is from guys I had poured for many times. MY faith was tested that day. Needless to say I called a trailer pump in and explained to them in an hour long conversation about washout procedures and area required for a boom pump. I have washed out in plastic swimming pools before. I just wanted them to know how much those things would weigh when they tried to come back and get it later. LOL

Der,

One of our operators told me about those things. We do not see them here, however he told me one collapsed on him as he was backing up once. Don't know if he was being truthful, but those things look dangerous.

after pumpung a three hundred yard condo slab the ssuper insisted that i wash out in one of those things.  while two of the head honchos kept telling me what to do and me telling what was about to happen, i backed up on one of those ramps with a 61 meter 14000 pound pump it mashed it flat.  i told them whatever you do dont listen to the operator that does this everyday.  washed out next to the thing, told them to have a nice day and left.  they called the office and said i was a smart ass but they wanted me back on all other pours.  the moral of the story is you cant fix stupid.

Well I disagree, you smashing the thing flat probably changed their attitude. LOL  It amazes me why people don't listen to our experience in certain situations. However I don't think that will ever change. Just keep a smile on your face next time as you smash their wash out area and make sure your icket is signed before you attempt it.

Russ