Monday I started my new job and it’s been great. One thing I have noticed in the repack area is the walls aren’t super clean.
This is an area that spices are repacked from 200 pound drums into one and five pound bags. A good portion of the products are powdered spices and they leave dust everywhere. The one thing I am told is that the walls are impossible to clean.

Theory goes that if you try to wet it, it drives all the powder deep into the little holes and it never comes out. I think this is partially true and is partially bullshit.

I might be able to pressure wash, but I worry about stripping the paint. It would be really difficult as a lot of things would have to be moved and we would have to squeegee the floors... probably not the best plan.

Any other suggestions for using a lot less water than a pressure washer and still getting all this clean? I know someone on the SF has the answer to this!

Vacuum cleaner?

Compressed air to blow it down? Might need some PPE like a respirator or mask.

You'd also need to consider if you'd be creating an explosive/flash fire environment with the dust if the concentration could be in the right range. Basically a potential grain dust explosion. Would need to eliminate potential sources of ignition.

If you've got drainage that would work for a pressure washer, perhaps try just high pressure water from hose end sprayer?

What's the painted finish on the walls? May be worth time to repaint in semi or full gloss to slick it up better, and seal any pores you can.

Vacuum has been tried. Even with a brush, powders like onion, garlic, cumin, cinnamon are too sticky and oily. There stuck on rather well.

Compressed air isn’t an option. Yes, a powder flash fire is a possibility, but we are also connected to a retail store, so we can’t create clouds of noxious spice dust.

The hose and sprayer is an option, but a garden hose uses more water than my pressure washer, but makes less of a mess.

The walls would have to be cleaned prior to repainting. They are painted gloss white, but this stuff is messy and no one has cleaned like I think is necessary. Filling in the pores of the cinderblocks with paint is not going to work. They are too deep. Maybe something else. Thinset?

Anyways I need to get them clean before I go in the filling direction.

See if you can demo/rent a steam cleaner - I know it’s been said, and you’re aware of it, but it’s worth repeating, please be careful of the flash danger and the toxic nature of spices in large amounts.

Would covering the walls with stainless/FRP or galvalume panels be in the budget?

Maybe too aggressive, but dry ice cleaning?

Actually, if you’re repainting, this may be the ticket.

Maybe try this approach. Particularly if you plan to fill and paint. If you leave a little behind in a deep crevice, who cares? It will be cleaner than it is now.

https://www.hunker.com/1200200...block-basement-walls

I would have it pressure washed with a light pressure. Allow to dry and then apply this...it will fully seal the cinder blocks.

https://www.globalindustrial.c...IEAYYASABEgKg1PD_BwE

Pressurized air backed by hepa vaccuum cleaner pickup at the same time.
The air will clean th blocks and the vacuum pics up the waste, so no airborne particles

How many sq ft in this project?

I’d wash with a degreasing surfactant, rinsed with a hot water pressure washer on low pressure to remove any current contaminants. Then coat with a block filler and top coated with pre-catalyzed waterborne epoxy (these are USDA certified in food areas)

See if there is a company called "Safely Softwash" in your area. They do industrial cleaning - Typically exterior of building, but they may be willing to tackle a project like yours. They use a chemical solution that lifts out dirt, fungus, oils, and mold.

I know the franchisee here in Central Florida, and the results they get are outstanding.

How about recovering the existing walls with a new layer of something much easier to clean and sanitize? I can’t recall the brand of the wall covering we used when our pharmacy mixing compounding clean room was redone.

Answering all questions in one reply...

Completely aware if the flash issues. Not enough to be concerned about when cleaning. When repacking, that is a concern.

The link to the wash, scrub, bleach, scrub, rinse, seems a little more than I care to do.

Light pressure washer and sealing with dry lock seems to be something I am interested in.

Pressurized air won’t work. It’s oily powdered spices. They don’t come off. It’s actually adhered more than one would imagine.

About 500 sq ft if wall.

Simple green, scrub, pressure wash may be the ticket. Filing the holes definitely. Epoxy is a PITA. I did a garage floor, not doing walls.

Safely Softwash is not in my area.

Recovering is an idea. Maybe fiberglass. Not sure. I like the idea of filling and sealing the cinderblocks correctly.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Filling in the pores of the cinderblocks with paint is not going to work. They are too deep. Maybe something else. Thinset?

Check out water stop which leaves a nice smooth finish:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/QUIKR...ALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
See if you can demo/rent a steam cleaner - I know it’s been said, and you’re aware of it, but it’s worth repeating, please be careful of the flash danger and the toxic nature of spices in large amounts.

Would covering the walls with stainless/FRP or galvalume panels be in the budget?

I would vote for either a steam cleaner or gentle pressure wash.

I have used a pressure washer and shop vac in all kinds of homes, to knock down dust and clean, pressure washers don't use as much water as you think they do.

In this situation, I'd go for a steam cleaner, but you will still have to be careful to not strip the paint, the heat of that steamer will do it real good.

Perhaps just give a hand pump sprayer and sponges a go before you get more aggressive?

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Answering all questions in one reply...


Simple green, scrub, pressure wash may be the ticket. Filing the holes definitely. Epoxy is a PITA. I did a garage floor, not doing walls.

Pre-cat epoxy for walls applies just like paint. Totally different than doing a garage floor, which I agree is a PIA

Dry lok is a very course (has a light sand texture) product and relatively thin. You’ll be right back to where you are currently unless top coated with something

Block filler is what you want to use. It’s designed for smoothing cinderblock walls

This power wash business on the inside of a building sounds like a poor option.
A 50x10 ft wall can be hand wash and hand rinsed. Maybe scrub brush on a pole kind of thing.

Block filler is kinda old school and good results can be had with Drylock. In order
to fill all the voids you may have to apply at around 50-75 sq ft/gal.

You can call a pro rep at Sherwin Williams or similar and get someone to come out and
spec a system which will give you a smooth and glossy finish. Think Zolotone type stuff. You will look like a genius to your new boss.

If doing a pressure washer and have drainage but want to help mitigate the spray and water everywhere - just noodling here so not 100% sure it would be easy enough to use on a wall but for the price worth a shot - my setup is less pressure with attachment over the wand so may be less risk of peeled paint - ymmv

driveway pressure washer attachment ?