WASH OUT
 |
|||
Washing Out a Ready Mix concrete truck after a pour is an essential part of maintaining the truck, ensuring future mix quality, and meeting environmental regulations.
One of the main reasons for washing out is to prevent hardened concrete from building up inside the drum. Concrete begins setting quickly, and if it's not cleaned out promptly, the remaining mix can harden and cause damage to the equipment. This buildup reduces the drum’s effective capacity and can interfere with future batches of concrete. Clean equipment also operates more efficiently and helps maintain consistent mix quality.
Another critical reason for washout is environmental compliance. Concrete wash water is extremely alkaline, with a high pH, and contains cement residue that can be harmful to soil, groundwater, and aquatic ecosystems. Proper washout procedures help companies comply with environmental laws, particularly those enforced by the EPA, and avoid costly fines.
The washout process usually begins at the job site. After the concrete is discharged, the driver performs an initial rinse of the chute and hopper using the truck’s onboard water system. Some water may be added to the drum, which is then rotated to help loosen leftover material.
Once the truck returns to the batch plant, a more thorough washout is performed. Water is added to the drum and it is rotated again to clean the interior. The slurry is discharged into a designated washout station, such as a pit or containment bin. The external components of the truck, including the chutes and rear end, are also rinsed.
Proper disposal of washout material is crucial. The collected water and concrete residue are typically sent to a lined pit or container where solids can settle and the water can be treated or reused.
