How do you deal with chemical fumes when working out of a van?

[DannyDanny]

So I'm starting new in the pool cleaning business and am thinking of working out of a 2017 Ford Transit.

My brother has been doing pool service and repairs for two years and works out of a Ford Ranger. He thinks its crazy to work out of a van due to fume buildup from the chems and the fact that most of the equipment drips pool water, which can lead to mold and mildew. I want to use a Transit because I don't want to worry about opportunistic thieves, the gas mileage is better than a truck, and I'm getting a good deal on a used Transit.

I see that a lot of people use vans and that some companies have fleets of Transits for pool cleaning service, so I know that some of you have found workarounds for these problems.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Danny

 

[Jimrahbe]

Danny,

Welcome to TFP... a great place to get answers to all your pool maintenance questions.....

The vast majority of our members are just pool owners interested in taking care of their own pools. We do have a few member in the pool industry, but it might take a day or so before they see your post and reply this time of year.

I have never seen a pool 'Cleaner' drive anything but a pick-me-up truck... A little different for pool maintenance people.. If I were in the pool business, and I had an employee that could do pool maintenance, I would not waste his time sending him out to do pool cleaning tasks.. But maybe that is way I'm not in the Pool Business..

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Vans offer great security. I’ve had several with “roof fans” Installed. I think I paid around $500 each???

 

[DannyDanny]

That's sounds like a good idea. What about when the vehicle is off? I imagine the fans only run if the van is on. Do you get the scent of chlorine when you first start in the morning? Also, I'm getting conflicting advice about leaking - some people say it is inevitable and some say that fumes should never leak from sealed containers.

 

[cfherrman]

Pickup with a topper in the bed

 

[thebombardier]

My company has a Sprinter van. I've been working in a store for 6 years and when I go out on the van I don't even smell it anymore. Honestly the only time the chemical smell bugs me is when I first open up the bucket of Cal-Hypo and I get that initial blast of chlorine. Then again my olfactory system has been pretty desensitized since I was a really young kid and I can barely smell anything anymore anyway.

 

[domct203]

What chemicals do you plan to store in the van? You can always utilize leak proof storage containers in the van depending on the chemicals.

The smell of chlorine was mentioned, standard chlorine & muriatic acid bottles have vented caps, so don’t keep them stored in the van, or in the same storage container.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

That's sounds like a good idea. What about when the vehicle is off? I imagine the fans only run if the van is on. Do you get the scent of chlorine when you first start in the morning? Also, I'm getting conflicting advice about leaking - some people say it is inevitable and some say that fumes should never leak from sealed containers.

What’s your experience driving a service van??
Most buckets are vented, as not to pressurize.

Chemical handling & storage in a vehicle is no joke & should scare the heck out of you.. (I still pull over to check my chems, after a break slam etc.. mustard gas & boom recipes are on deck.)

Which state are you in?


I have seen many guys in rolling “bombs.”

 

[robl45]

While I don't have any experience with this, many guys here use trailers behind the vehicle. Did talk to one guy using a truck and he said he wished he had a trailer as the truck was getting damaged from the chemicals. The equipment dripping pool water would concern me more that it was going to do damage more than mold and mildew.

So I'm starting new in the pool cleaning business and am thinking of working out of a 2017 Ford Transit.

My brother has been doing pool service and repairs for two years and works out of a Ford Ranger. He thinks its crazy to work out of a van due to fume buildup from the chems and the fact that most of the equipment drips pool water, which can lead to mold and mildew. I want to use a Transit because I don't want to worry about opportunistic thieves, the gas mileage is better than a truck, and I'm getting a good deal on a used Transit.

I see that a lot of people use vans and that some companies have fleets of Transits for pool cleaning service, so I know that some of you have found workarounds for these problems.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Danny