Oil eating microbes products

JBurd

New member
The thing about "Microbial Cleaners" is that it takes time for the microbes to break down oil.....could be many hours or many days. Yes they do work but don't think they are practical in our line of work where time = money.

Seems it would be better suited as a weekly or monthly "Preventative Maintenance" application after properly being washed.
 
Yes I still use BT200 all the time. Guy is right. Takes patience and that has to be relayed to the customer. We get premium dollar for it though, and not everybody accepts our pricing, but we get a fair amount.
 
Yes I still use BT200 all the time. Guy is right. Takes patience and that has to be relayed to the customer. We get premium dollar for it though, and not everybody accepts our pricing, but we get a fair amount.
How long until the spot is gone? Is there still a shadow?
 
Depends on the stain but usually after that same treatment. Yes there is a shadow, but with a couple more treatments and some time, the shadow goes away.

Keep in mind you have to let the product sit a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour, before cleaning.....I usually let sit overnight and come back next day.
 
Connor, there is no cleaner that cleans below the surface of the concrete ..........lets be realistic here, and set customer expectation from the get go.

Common sense guys.......Come on!

So your saying the microbes do not eat below the surface of the concrete???
 
So your saying the microbes do not eat below the surface of the concrete???

This is an important questions worth exploring....I don't have a definitive answer but it seems logical that the microbes will eat any oil they come into contact with. It also seems logical that they should be able to penetrate at least as deep as the oil did. The dilemma is that its not always the oil itself that causes the dark stains, its the crud that the oil carries with it (remember new oil is pretty translucent).
 
Yes they do as long as the food source is there they will eat it and then die off.


Doug Rucker Call or Text 2818838470
Clean And Green Solutions
Pressure Cleaning and Roof Cleaning School
 
So your saying the microbes do not eat below the surface of the concrete???

No not at all....but days, several applications, several trips??? Guys get hung up on oil shadows that in most cases will not come up.....How much time ($) and chem ($) versus profit will it take to remove an oil shadow???.....Unless it's a special situation with high profit potential it's just not worth it IMO.

While we strive to do the very best job possible...... Profits "Keep" us in business.

Just Saying...........
 
I tried some microbes from a company we used at the refinery to clean some oily concrete at a fried chicken place.

The owner came down and we tried some spots. I went back every other day and sprayed the activator to keep them alive and after a few weeks did not see any difference.

Tried hot water washing and not much came off, shadows still remained.

At the refinery this stuff worked great in the soil, got rid of all the hydrocarbons in spills that hit the soil but did not do anything for oil stains on concrete.

Yes, you are right about what is in the shadows, there is a lot of carbon besides metal from engines and other lovely things to help make the wonderful stains and shadows.
 
BT 200 works pretty well on non-synthetic oils. We have had great results with hyd oil and small motor oil deposits. For us it is an added service and we make a few bucks selling ready to go product. The fact is it does work and it will remove a heck of a lot of the stain over time.

Its the only thing I use for asphalt too!

We clean the surface with chems and hot water which is still the best method to remove heavy deposits but it is not 100% .Then sell the customer a gallon of bt200 and a brand new pump sprayer, you do the first application and and show them how its done. Makes your job easier next time. This works for our bi annual and yearly stuff best.

Hopefully they call you when they run out.
 
No not at all....but days, several applications, several trips??? Guys get hung up on oil shadows that in most cases will not come up.....How much time ($) and chem ($) versus profit will it take to remove an oil shadow???.....Unless it's a special situation with high profit potential it's just not worth it IMO.

While we strive to do the very best job possible...... Profits "Keep" us in business.

Just Saying...........

Ok...yes agree with all the above....and there are those special situations out there that they will pay..last week a contractor called because they are finishing up on building a new car dealership.. There are oil stains throughout the parking lot, and all new concrete. They are willing to pay, and at high profit, instead of ripping up the concrete and laying new. These don't come along everyday mind you, but do come more frequently that one would think.
 
Which reminds me of a property that sent us a bid package.....in it they stated that they wanted....100% spot free clean concrete.......I called the PM to clarify and asked....are you expecting 100% spot free concrete cleaning???..........She said Yes......I then told her that was totally unrealistic on a 15 year old property.....I then asked if they were looking for the lowest bid.....again she said yes.

Disqualified


 
Its all about clients wants and expectations

Just set the expectations and see if the client will pay

Its simple

Many times this conversation does not take place hence a letdown for the client and more labor for the contractor

BAM...BAM...BAM...exactly right Mike. How are you? Are you going to make it to Charleston?
 
Depends on the stain but usually after that same treatment. Yes there is a shadow, but with a couple more treatments and some time, the shadow goes away.

Keep in mind you have to let the product sit a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour, before cleaning.....I usually let sit overnight and come back next day.

To get the best results cover with the plastic in order to keep the product wet as long as possible.
 
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