Vacuum Surface cleaner vs water berm

[FoxCPM]

I would like to hear some opinions about the methods of collecting dirt water.
I've seen and talked to contractors who either prefer the vacuum surface cleaner or "berming" the lowest point of a surface and collecting the water with a vacuum hose or similar sucking device.

As far as larger flat surfaces which method is more sufficient? I don't like the idea to drag hundreds of feet of vacuum hose, but on the other hand some times guiding the water to certain point would be quite time and material consuming.

Please share your experience and professional advice.

Thanks!

 

[Jonathan Ellis]

It really depends on your perference and what type of job you are doing. I have some jobs where I will not consider draggin vacuum hose around and others where I love to hook up to the lubova and go to work.

 

[Chris Tharpe]

The surface cleaner route would be alot faster with flatwork as your rinsing will be minimum

 

[Paul Kassander]

Each job is different, I will typically choose whichever method is the easiest and fastest. Time is $$$.

 

[Tony Shelton]

Evaporation is my preferred method. :yes:

 

[Russ Spence]

Evaporation is my preferred method. :yes:

nothing down the drain but humidity!:sarcastic:

 

[FoxCPM]

It really depends on your perference and what type of job you are doing. I have some jobs where I will not consider draggin vacuum hose around and others where I love to hook up to the lubova and go to work.

Does it mean, you use both methods?

Lets say you have a plaza storefront sidewalk, no gutters. In that case a vacuum surface cleaner would be better bet. But if there is a 500 000sq ft surface to be cleaned, that would cost crazy money to put let say 2x 8GPM machines to work in the same time: 2 vacuum surface cleaners that can handle the water flow, all the rocks, mud and sand, 2x at least 200ft vacuum hoses, a vacuum pump that can handle both pumps and etc.. And of course there is never only one type of job that we do accept very few guys specialized in a very narrowed field.

Chris, how rinsing part can be minimized? Could a vacuum surface cleaner eliminate the rinsing part from a heavy dirty and rough concrete surface?

Thanks!

 

[Chris Tharpe]

It should leave you wit very little debris on the ground if its adjusted propertly.

 

[greg/sd]

Chris what kind of vacuum surface cleaner are you using. I tried the steel eagle 24 inch and didn't like it. not because it didn't work but because I hate surface cleaners without the fixed handles. does anybody make a vacuum surface cleaner with the fixed handle.

 

[Jonathan Ellis]

Does it mean, you use both methods?

Lets say you have a plaza storefront sidewalk, no gutters. In that case a vacuum surface cleaner would be better bet. But if there is a 500 000sq ft surface to be cleaned, that would cost crazy money to put let say 2x 8GPM machines to work in the same time: 2 vacuum surface cleaners that can handle the water flow, all the rocks, mud and sand, 2x at least 200ft vacuum hoses, a vacuum pump that can handle both pumps and etc.. And of course there is never only one type of job that we do accept very few guys specialized in a very narrowed field.

Chris, how rinsing part can be minimized? Could a vacuum surface cleaner eliminate the rinsing part from a heavy dirty and rough concrete surface?

Thanks!

Yes I use both methods. If you are doing a 500,000 sq surface, put the vacuum sc away, or atleast, dont waste your time considering hooking up the vacuum to it.

 

[Scott Stone]

I prefer to use the vacuum surface cleaner over large areas. It helps that, for all practical purposes, I don't have to go back and rinse. I have also found it difficult, if not impossible, to block off the storm drains enough to prevent water from entering them.
In truth, I like to be in on the design phase of a parking garage, so I can get an interceptor hooked up to the sanitary sewer in there. That is an advantage to having very long term customers.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Evaporation is my preferred method. :yes:

Come on Tony, show us the photos of that new reclaim rig!! Stop Bsing

 

[Tony Shelton]

Come on Tony, show us the photos of that new reclaim rig!! Stop Bsing

I just picked up this new reclaim setup the other day. I got it for ....umm.....free. :duck:

 

[greg/sd]

Water will always find its way to the lowest point. I think its easier to pick up with a vacuberm type device if you are pulling alot of hose. If you are only going to pull out 50 to 100 ft of hose a vac surface cleaner would probably be the best bet. every situation is different and calls for a different approach.

 

[Christopher]

I prefer to use the vacuum surface cleaner over large areas. It helps that, for all practical purposes, I don't have to go back and rinse. I have also found it difficult, if not impossible, to block off the storm drains enough to prevent water from entering them.
In truth, I like to be in on the design phase of a parking garage, so I can get an interceptor hooked up to the sanitary sewer in there. That is an advantage to having very long term customers.

Scott, I have some questions for you, when would be a good time to call?

Thanks.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Each job is different, I will typically choose whichever method is the easiest and fastest. Time is $$$.

How have you been Paul?