Nitro882 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 3:58 AM I wake up to my wife looking at me and saying " I smell gas" I say "we don't have gas" Her "well something isn't right" Me "what, I don't smell anything" I get up out of bed go to the basement door and as I opened it the smell of diesel hit me in the face. I walk to the furnace and there is a steady stream of oil pouring out of a hole in the filter. Even though I was still half asleep I had enough sense to turn the valve off and stop the onslaught. Red fuel oil rapidly speading across the basement floor is a hell of a way to wake up. Fortunately it stayed to one side of the basement and only spread 15-20 feet down the wall and around the corner. It could have been much worse. I am now finally wrapping up. The wife says to me "Well you said cleaning up the basement was on your list of things to do this fall" Ha Ha My wife left early to food shop and get our kids out of the house away from the fumes. She ran into a close friend and told her what happened.She replied, well it could have been worse "so and so (mutual friends) left for work and school last week their house burned to the ground" That really has a way of putting things into perspective. "We aren't At Large, we're just avoiding the police.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick9915 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Did you throw some kitty litter down? That does a pretty good job. Why would you make any plans of cleaning during the fall. That's fishing time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro882 Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Did you throw some kitty litter down? That does a pretty good job. Why would you make any plans of cleaning during the fall. That's fishing time. Yes, plus the oil service company brought me an even more absorbant product that was like blown in insulation. It knocked the smell down and soaked up the oil quickly. As far as fall cleaning, I said it was on my list for the fall. (read maybe sometime in the next 1 1/2 - 2 years ) I would actually have to get to it quickly as we have our home on the market. In the current real estate landscape a spotless basement would only work in my favor. "We aren't At Large, we're just avoiding the police.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumfish213 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 there is a company that sells these sock like things to suck up oil. i believe it is called new pig. might be a good idea to keep a few of these things around in case it ever happens again (i hope it doesn't!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro882 Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 there is a company that sells these sock like things to suck up oil. i believe it is called new pig. might be a good idea to keep a few of these things around in case it ever happens again (i hope it doesn't!) The stuff I used said Pig on the side of the bag worked like a charm. The service tech told me he has only seen a filter leak one other time in the last ten years. That filter was in contact with the ground and was wet often so it rusted out. Mine just cracked. It wasn't even a year old. "We aren't At Large, we're just avoiding the police.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBomber Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 If the oil soaked in the floor,you going to have that smell for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro882 Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 If the oil soaked in the floor,you going to have that smell for a long time. the floor is sealed luckily "We aren't At Large, we're just avoiding the police.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wraith Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Yes, plus the oil service company brought me an even more absorbant product that was like blown in insulation. It knocked the smell down and soaked up the oil quickly. As far as fall cleaning, I said it was on my list for the fall. (read maybe sometime in the next 1 1/2 - 2 years ) I would actually have to get to it quickly as we have our home on the market. In the current real estate landscape a spotless basement would only work in my favor. He.. He.. He... it is 'blown Insulation', processed News Paper to be exact. Go down to Home Depot and buy a bag of Cellulose Insulation . It's the best oil absorbent out there, works fast too. I have been using this for a good 20 years now. * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro882 Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 He.. He.. He... it is 'blown Insulation', processed News Paper to be exact. Go down to Home Depot and buy a bag of Cellulose Insulation . It's the best oil absorbent out there, works fast too. I have been using this for a good 20 years now. It certainly did the job and fast!! 2 small bags did the trick and I have a decent amount left "We aren't At Large, we're just avoiding the police.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickT Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Did you throw some kitty litter down? That does a pretty good job. Why would you make any plans of cleaning during the fall. That's fishing time. kitty litter is absolutley the worse thing to put down on a fuel spill, or any type of spill for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charloots Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 the floor is sealed luckily how did you dispose of the absorbant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S J Fish Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Speedy dry or another absorbant is good. But you're right, kitty litter isn't good. kitty litter is absolutley the worse thing to put down on a fuel spill, or any type of spill for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick9915 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 What's wrong with kitty litter? That's what we used when our oil tank sprung a leak. Then we just shoveled it into buckets and brought it to the haz waste center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickT Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 What's wrong with kitty litter? That's what we used when our oil tank sprung a leak. Then we just shoveled it into buckets and brought it to the haz waste center. The hydrocarbons in the spill could react with whats in the kitty litter. Chances are slim, but its been known to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Your homeowners ins.probably covers the cost of the clean-up,and any damage to the basement(drywall,carpets,etc...). It wouldn't pay you more to walk on water,than to wear a crown of thorns, It wouldn't pay me more to bury you rich,than to bury you poor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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