Cleaning plaster buckets!

Discussion in 'Other Trades Talk' started by BiancoTheGiraffe, Jan 26, 2020.

  1. BiancoTheGiraffe

    BiancoTheGiraffe Screwfix Select

    I know, it's a bit of a weird one, but I've been plastering for years and am reasonably good at it (for an amateur!) but there's one thing I've never known...

    How on earth should I be cleaning the buckets afterwards?!

    Obviously I scoop out as much of the unused plaster as possible, put it in a bin bag and into the normal waste, then give the buckets a blast with the hose and a good scrub...

    But what should I do with the dirty water?!

    I've learnt the hard way that you can't just tip it in a drain as it can build up and cause a blockage... So what do the pros do?!
     
  2. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Tip it over the fence! :p
     
    PhilSo likes this.
  3. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Pour it in another bucket and leave it to settle, pour off the water and put the sludge in a plastic bag ready for the tip/skip.
     
    Willier110 likes this.
  4. BiancoTheGiraffe

    BiancoTheGiraffe Screwfix Select

    That's what I've been doing!

    Surely there's a better way?!
     
  5. Abrickie

    Abrickie Screwfix Select

    Use a gorilla tub, let harden and just tap it out, no mess no dirty water :)
     
  6. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    I just pour it over the garden at home, it doesn't affect or change the pH of the soil, & quicklys breaks down.

    Other way is to pour waste into 4 or 6 pint milk cartons, let it settle, drain off water, then screw cap on & bin it.

     
  7. masterdiy

    masterdiy Screwfix Select

    I'm with Kiab, chuck it onto the grass, it'll soon breakdown, specially when the mower has been over it a few times.
     
  8. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Wondered why KIAB's lawn is pink!..obviously not Weed & Feed! :rolleyes:
     
  9. Wayners

    Wayners Screwfix Select

    Let it settle and the plaster sinks to the bottom with clear water at the top. What you need to do is get what you can out of bucket when wet then wash out with small amount of water. Pour that dirty water in large tub. Leave over night and the water will be clear with sludge on the bottom. Pour water down drain then scoop sludge out. I don't pour anything dirty down customer drain. Any blockage over the coming months you might get phone call.
     
  10. BiancoTheGiraffe

    BiancoTheGiraffe Screwfix Select

    Sounds like I'm already doing the right thing and there is no special magic solution that I've missed!

    Thanks everyone!
     
    Astramax likes this.
  11. Wayners

    Wayners Screwfix Select

    I'll add to this thread. Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. It's the same thing will clean dried plaster off tools. I use big tool box and let blades sit in for 24 hours mixed with water. Clean buckets to.
     
    BiancoTheGiraffe and CGN like this.
  12. carl24bpool

    carl24bpool Active Member

    I'd have to disagree with this. Mixed plaster has a ph of around 12 which is well over that of soil which is 5.8 - 7.5

    Over time pouring this over your garden will lift the ph and prevent your plants from taking up nutrients.
     
  13. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    Ok, Ok........but have you seen the size of KIAB's carrots.
     
  14. carl24bpool

    carl24bpool Active Member

    lol, yeah but they taste like a board duster lol.
     
  15. CGN

    CGN Screwfix Select

    Correct. Works wonders.
     
    BiancoTheGiraffe likes this.
  16. BiancoTheGiraffe

    BiancoTheGiraffe Screwfix Select

    Wow, that's an amazing recommendation...

    I'll file it under "rubbish that I'm not interested in"
     

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