glass removal (automobile) / suggestions

D

Dutch295

Location
Rocky Mount, NC
This is a first... got a call from a customer that I've done a few jobs for through the years and he wants a turn key job... A drunk driver came around a curve and did battle with his 30" dbh pine in his front yard. The jaws of life were used and the kid is lucky to be alive. About a 10 square ft area of oil needs to be dealt with but glass (no more than 1/2" pieces) are literally everywhere. Tree, stump and bringing in dirt are run of the mill straight forward but the glass is a new one on me. I've thought about renting a billy goat vac but not sure if that is the way to go... suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
the HO does want to replant and as of now he is optimistic about dealing with the driver's insurance (all state). I would imagine if they stall or give him a hard time all he's got say are three little letters (EPA) and they would jump through hoops for him. That's just a guess though due to the oil, transmission fluid, anti freeze etc. in his front yard.
Tom, we discussed scraping the top layer but as we walked around the front yard and noticed glass literally everywhere (probably as far as 100 ft from the impact) the idea of a strong vac jumped out at me from an efficiency / cost angle. The more I think about it, I might be getting ahead of myself as the ball is probably in the insurance company's court as to what they are willing to do... I'm sure the HO would rather have a new yard... it was squared away prior to the wreck.
 
If there really is tranny fluid, anti-freeze, and oil on the lawn(on top of the glass issue), total lawn replacement will be the only way to go. Wherever tranny fluid or oil went into the soil, the grass will NEVER grow there unless the soil is removed, replaced and reseeded. Which would make a lot more sense for the entire scope of the job rather than taking a vacuum cleaner to the lawn.
 
[ QUOTE ]
... the ball is probably in the insurance company's court as to what they are willing to do... I'm sure the HO would rather have a new yard... it was squared away prior to the wreck.

[/ QUOTE ]

HO has every right to full restoration of entire landscape. I've done appraisals that included soil replacement, and have done appraisals for allstate.

Ball in HO's court--should press for total restoration. I'm under 2 hours away; have the HO drop me a line for info.
 
We had the local FD do a spill response training. They said five gallons.

Listen to Guy...no matter how much gunk is spilled, the HO deserves to have the whole works restored.
 
I 100% agree and I have suggested a new yard to him. At this point the ho is only looking to dig out the fluid area (maybe a 10 x 10 area). This surprises me as he has ruts in his yard from one fire truck, one ambulance and the tow truck. The glass is all over the place. The ho is a super good guy (easy going) and I need to ask him as I got a vibe that he feels guilty asking for a new yard. He and I will talk in the a.m. after I speak with the local landfill.
 
Spill requirements can change depending on state. Generally the EPA puts out requirements, but states are responsible for enforcement and can create more stringent requirements.

I would recommend consulting your state's Department of the Environment. In NC it would be NCDENR. The spill probably should have been addressed by the responders to the crash. Sometimes requirements are just to report a spill but no remediation is required unless your break a certain threshold.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The spill probably should have been addressed by the responders to the crash. Sometimes requirements are just to report a spill but no remediation is required unless your break a certain threshold.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only requirement for responders is to make the area safe again. At least here in PA, firefighters do not dispose of fluid contaminated soil or debris. It is far to expensive (especially for volunteer depts). If inordimant amounts of oil dry is used, the towing company takes care of it and bills the Ins company.
The big problem is leaching. I dont know how long it has been since the accident but the contaminants have probably leached through the soil, possibly expanding the contaminated area.
One other thing you might try is contact the towing company and seeing how they bill (possibly piggy back on to theirs) the insurance company. Its a long shot but they may be able to provide billing information.
Good luck.
 
Thought I would share the following in case anyone runs into it... HO went to the local rental shop to get a billy goat vac for the glass and said the guy behind the desk was great, seemed knowledgeable etc. and said, "I'll rent you a billy goat but your best bet is a shop vac". His father-in-law had one, he got all the glass up in less than two hours. Oil contaminated soil has to go to the landfill which here is $48 per ton (rip off). We're waiting on the insurance company.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom