Debris Cleanup and Disposal Hydrodemolition debris consists of wet sand, aggregate, chips or chunks of concrete and slurry water. Slurry consists of cement particles and ranges from muddy water to a thick paste. Clean up should start immediately following hydrodemolition to prevent the debris from re-adhering to the surface. The method of cleanup will depend on the type of removal. If the removal is above the rebar and the rebar remains supported by the concrete equipment such as bobcats, sweepers and vacuum trucks can be driven on the surface whereas if the removal is below the rebar and the bar is unsupported debris removal will have to be by hand or vacuum.Tools used for cleanup include: fire hoses, pressure washers, compressed air, sweepers, skid steer loaders, vacuum trucks, and manual labor.  During "above the rebar" clean up, equipment such as skid steer loaders, sweepers and vacuum trucks may be driven over the surface to assist with the cleanup (providing they meet the weight requirements of the structure). The debris can be swept, pressure washed, or air blown into piles where it is picked up by a loader. A vacuum truck may be used to vacuum the debris from the surface. In all cases, the surface must be pressure washed to remove any remaining cement slurry. If the rebar is unsupported, it is difficult and possibly unsafe to drive equipment into the removal area. The debris can be removed by washing with a fire hose, pressure washing, or blowing it onto the adjacent original surface where it can be picked up with a loader. A pressure washer operating at 8,000 - 10,000-psi (55 – 70 MPa) and 8-12 gpm (30 – 45 lpm) is effective. Vacuuming is very effective in removing debris from around the reinforcing steel, however, the surface will require pressure washing to remove the cement slurry and paste.
Rampart offers vacuum clean up services on certain projects. See Vacuum Service and Dry Hydrodemolition.
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