Wife knocked over 5 gallon bucket of used motor oil

[JB740i]

So my wife just emails me and says she was trying to get the mower outta the garage while the kiddo was asleep. The mover hit the weed wacker, the weedwacker hit the bucket, the oil spilled out.

It was near the garage door and has spilled inside. Maybe about 15sq ft she says. We will see.

She called her dad who told her to put dirt on the oil inside to sop it up.

How do I proceed? There was probably some used gear oil and maybe a little brake fluid mixed in there too.

Should I have posted this anonymously or will the appropriate agencies be showing up at my house anytime now?

 

[JohnK007]

If the dirt doesn't work, use some kitty litter. That's what the tow truck operators all use around here on accident scenes. Let the litter do it's trick, then shovel into a plastic garbage bag. I'll let your conscientious be your guide on how to dispose of the bag. I'd just throw it in the trash.

 

[sprint7]

If the dirt doesn't work, use some kitty litter. That's what the tow truck operators all use around here on accident scenes. Let the litter do it's trick, then shovel into a plastic garbage bag. I'll let your conscientious be your guide on how to dispose of the bag. I'd just throw it in the trash.

x's 2 on the kitty litter.

 

[Ray-CA]

Kitty liter and I rub it in with a clay brick until its a fine powder.

Ray

 

[nonhog]

Yep try and stop the flow from getting any worse(may be too late) run dirt around the spill to contain it then kitty litter the **** out of it.
At least it was not paint.

 

[jmh21586]

Wipe it up with rags then burn the rags. Or just use the kitty litter and throw it in the trash.

 

[StRacerDuke]

time to replace the wife? J/K of course.

 

[snorky18]

There was probably some used gear oil

Mmmm... 5 gallons of gear oil spread out on the floor, that's got to smell.... nice

 

[tatra]

Ray-CA has the right idea

 

[NUTTSGT]

Hopefully it's cleaned up ny now. If you're changing oil at home, there's no reason not to have a bag of oil dry or kitty litter.

 

[Torque1st]

Use the clay type kitty litter, not the scoopable stuff.

 

[skeletonizer]

time to replace the wife? J/K of course.

...but seriously. Time to rethink the storage procedure of waste oil.

 

[djd99]

Strange no one has floor dry in there shop? I always have a bag on hand as is a shop and eventually something will be spilled, Hell my buddy went to a quick oil change service and they put 2 quarts to many in the transmission, All I did is disconnect one of the ****** lines, let the engine run for a couple minutes and reconnect the line. Ya I have a couple quarts of ****** fluid on the floor but it's in the hoist room and that's why they make floor dry. you can get it at advanced auto for 5 bucks. I know this is a sin for most of the show garages here but I actually work in my shop.

 

[Torque1st]

Clay cat litter is usually cheaper and is the same thing. I keep a bucket of it around with a scoop.

 

[ZRX61]

I'll let your conscientious be your guide on how to dispose of the bag.

She's probably apologized by now

 

[JB740i]

She's probably apologized by now

THAT was darn funny.


I thought that she'd just surrounded it with dirt so I bought a bunch of kitty litter on the way home. But she'd buried everything with dirt. So I've gotta clean all that up and then maybe use the kitty litter to absorb anything left.

First major spill so never had a reason for the stuff. Always just used paper towels.

I was planning on scooping the dirt into buckets and taking it to the dump. I talked to my buddy on the way home and told him about it. And his mom runs the dump. So probably best I don't just trash it. How quickly I take it to the dump, I don't know. If I was inclided to do that I wouldn't have had 5 gallons sitting around anyway. Actually more, she didn't hit the bucket I was thinking of so I've got at least 5 more sitting out there.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Any woman mowing the lawn can spill some oil in my shop anytime.

 

[Firetrucks]

Any woman mowing the lawn can spill some oil in my shop anytime.

I agree

 

[pipehack]

Hydroplug (hydraulic) cement works wonders. ***** the oil out of the concrete. Spilled tons of pipe cutting oil in my career. Always saved my a$$.

 

[e-tek]

I smell a divorce!! Then you can use the settlement cash to buy a new house with a clean floor AND a Phillipino wife who would NEVER spill oil (and if she ever did, she'd get it cleaned up fast because she'd be too scared to tell you about it!!)

 

[ddawg16]

Should I have posted this anonymously or will the appropriate agencies be showing up at my house anytime now?

The EPA has been notified.....they are mobilizing FEMA, the president has been called in, news coptors should be over your house any moment.....

But, you are in luck....because it's the govt, it will take them 6 months to figure out who actually has responsibility....9 months to have senate hearings as to why no action was taken, 3 years to assign a special investigator...and in the end it will be blamed on the Republicans.....

Actually, if anyone should be in trouble, it should be you for leaving 5 gal of oil in a container that is not spill proof.....not your wife's fault.....

 

[zark]

I'm way late on this thread but what the hell... I bought 5 tons (at $8 per ton ) of "screenings" from a local quarry for a patio I installed. I only used about 2 tons for the patio so I have plenty leftover.

The stuff looks just like kitty litter. The kitty even seems to prefer it over the stinky stuff my wife buys.

Anyway, it worked like a charm, way better than expected, soaking up about a gal. of gear lube I spilled after pulling a axle before draining the transaxle.

I figure 3 tons should last me and kitty a few years.

 

[scooby074]

definitely not the end of the world at least not in my shop.

Dump some diesel (lacquer thinner or brake klean is better) on the oil to thin it a bit.

Follow with kitty litter. Let it soak the oil/thinner up for a while. Even overnight.

Sweep and throw in the garbage.

 

[GN4WHLN]

definitely not the end of the world at least not in my shop.

Dump some diesel (lacquer thinner or brake klean is better) on the oil to thin it a bit.

Follow with kitty litter. Let it soak the oil/thinner up for a while. Even overnight.

Sweep and throw in the garbage.

That's the method I use. The solvent seems to get it in a state where the KL can pick it up easier. If there is any stain left, have the wife rent a pressure washer and get to it.

I think that conclude today's lesson on why untrained personnel are not permitted in the garage spaces without an ******.

 

[oldgoat]

I keep my used oil in a plastic gas can so that I don't have to worry about it spilling. For any messes I've always picked up sawdust from any woodworking to keep a decent supply on hand. Try scooping up as much as possible with a small scoop to put back in the bucket and then throw kitty litter or sawdust over it and rub it in and then pick up.

 

[hetkind]

THAT was darn funny.


I was planning on scooping the dirt into buckets and taking it to the dump. I talked to my buddy on the way home and told him about it. And his mom runs the dump. So probably best I don't just trash it. How quickly I take it to the dump, I don't know. If I was inclided to do that I wouldn't have had 5 gallons sitting around anyway. Actually more, she didn't hit the bucket I was thinking of so I've got at least 5 more sitting out there.

That is a lot of used oil sitting around...most "dumps" or "transfer facilities" will accept used oil, as well most auto part stores, walmart and all the quick oil change places. I get rid of a five gallon bucket as soon as it gets full. I would simply scoop the dirt, double bag it and put it out with regular trash.

Howard

 

[Lippyp]

One cheap and easy way to clean up any last bits off the floor is to use a hot strong solution of biological clothes washing powder in very hot water, sprinkle some on dry first and brush in and then scrub with the solution and a stiff brush and hose off, works wonders and is very cheap.

 

[checkthisout]

Strange no one has floor dry in there shop? I always have a bag on hand as is a shop and eventually something will be spilled, Hell my buddy went to a quick oil change service and they put 2 quarts to many in the transmission, All I did is disconnect one of the ****** lines, let the engine run for a couple minutes and reconnect the line. Ya I have a couple quarts of ****** fluid on the floor but it's in the hoist room and that's why they make floor dry. you can get it at advanced auto for 5 bucks. I know this is a sin for most of the show garages here but I actually work in my shop.

I would have paid to see this.

I wonder why your superior intellect told you to use floor dry in lieu of using drain pans?

Perhaps your children will know better?

 

[snorky18]

The EPA has been notified.....they are mobilizing FEMA, the president has been called in, news coptors should be over your house any moment.....

But, you are in luck....because it's the govt, it will take them 6 months to figure out who actually has responsibility....9 months to have senate hearings as to why no action was taken, 3 years to assign a special investigator...and in the end it will be blamed on the Republicans.....

This is the first thing I read this morning, and laughing that hard is a great start to my day. Thanks ddawg!

If there is any stain left, have the wife rent a pressure washer and get to it.

Perhaps (probably) your wife is a little more knowledgeable about using power equipment than mine. I love my wife, but the thought of turning her loose in my garage with a commercial pressure washer strikes fear in my heart.

 

[GTO]

Buy a shed and put all mowers,shovels etc. in there.
No need to have lawn maintenance equipment in the garage.

Hope the clean up is going well.

 

[michael Mccoy]

Why in the world would the oil not be contained in a capped container?

 

[Falcon67]

Why in the world would the oil not be contained in a capped container?

Really! I keep all mine in capped gallon bottles. Makes for a BIG, GEMONGOUS messl when you back over one in a race car with nice wide slicks. Hey, when FEMA is done over at your house, send them over here - I have about 12 used oil filters that my tax dollars need to have picked up. Since the TNRCC made the city take out the recycling center. EPAdiots.

 

[Scotto]

Get some containers with lids on them for storing oil

Hydroplug (hydraulic) cement works wonders. ***** the oil out of the concrete. Spilled tons of pipe cutting oil in my career. Always saved my a$$.

Doesn't hydraulic cement get ROCK hard in a matter of minutes of becoming wet? I'm sure it'll **** the oil out of the concrete, but then you're going to have this really fast setting hydraulic cement to worry about getting off.

 

[e-tek]

Here's my answer to the oil dilemma - Remove and empy at depot once per year.

 

[Keep]

Here's my answer to the oil dilemma - Remove and empy at depot once per year.

So how the hell do you get that thing in your truck once its full?

 

[srmofo]

I have a 30 gallon drum I use. Its alot easier to manuever. I have also used old washing detergent jugs, there usually pretty to pour in from a drain pain.

 

[scooby074]

I know this is a sin for most of the show garages here but I actually work in my shop.

I have to agree. The oil spots on my garage floor would give most on here a stroke.

 

[scooby074]

Here's my answer to the oil dilemma - Remove and empy at depot once per year.

Id love to do the barrel thing, but locally i get looks and a bit of a lecture trying to drop off a 5 Gal.

If you went with a barrel theyd say your commercial and would likely refuse.

Garages with waste oil burning furnaces may take it, but you'd likely loose your barrel. Most dont have that much extra capacity in their tank to take that when you consider they need that capacity for their own oil.

 

[jmh21586]

Talk to excavating companies in your area. They most likely burn used oil and may take it. My grandpa burns it in his airplane hanger.
For that matter... put an ad on Craigslist. See if someone wants it. It's free.

 

[nate379]

I burn all my oil too, just dump 1/2 a gal or so to get the fire going when I burn my trash.