Petrol spill help

02-12-2008, 10:49 PM

Hi, again with fuel problems. Managed to drain me fuel tank today (finally!), and I took all the normal safety procedures, keeping the garage well ventilated, no flames/sparks etc... However, probably around 2 litres or so was spilled on to the concrete (due to a dodgy container).

Right, I thought, keep it ventilated, put some dirt on it, and it'll go away, petrol will evaporate and smell will disappear. The smell's still there after a good 4 hours. My bro (who's garage I'm doing the work in) is none to happy because the smell's all over his house and we're a bit paranoid over the toxicity of the fumes.

Is there anything else I can do?

Tricky · 02-12-2008, 10:54 PM

it will take a few days - not hours !

but the smell will go

try and keep it as ventilated as poss

and buy your bro a bottle of single malt, and a bouquet of flowers if he has a mrs

02-12-2008, 11:14 PM

haha, well Christmas is just around the corner...!

I'll just have to sweet-talk them both. Having the smell in the house for a few days will not be an acceptable amount of time for nature to take its course and I'll get told off haha

What about the fumes? They're a bit wary of being poisoned by the 8 year old gases.

YA DAD · 03-12-2008, 12:40 AM

you got a match???

Tricky · 03-12-2008, 09:20 AM

if its that bad - try some activated charcoal. you can get it from places that sell swimming pool equipment.

yes - the fumes will be toxic, but a couple of litres spread throughout the house for a couple of days will probably more unpleasant than life threatening.

03-12-2008, 04:18 PM

Ta ducks. Advise noted... I'm going round tomorrow to see how it is.

Oddly enough Dad, I did test the volatility of the fumes with my Zippo... Only afterwards did I realise that that was very stupid.. but I'm not burnt or dead. Winner! However, note to self, more common sense needed!

**Roadrunna** · 03-12-2008, 04:39 PM

Nowt wrong with that. I usually use one of those scented oil heater things that run off tealight candles.

Get's rid of the smell AND the flamable vapours at the same time