Storing Muriatic Acid outside in Houston

[trclac]

We had been storing our jugs of muriatic acid in the garage. However, because the kids now play in the garage, and because my wife is scared of fumes escaping the bottles, she asked (or, more accurately, directed) me to store them in a bin outside. Is this safe in Houston? I left the plastic bin open somewhat to allow air to enter and escape. Any other ideas? Aside from the garage, we don't have a pool house to store this stuff.

Thanks.

 

[zea3]

The jugs themselves are vented, so could smell some fumes if they get too hot. Is there a shady area where you can store the plastic tub?

 

[trclac]

Yes. There is a shady place I can store the plastic container. Thanks.

One more question. Can the acid fumes cause rust? I ask because several items near the area in the garage are rusted, such as bike chains, etc. Chlorine products are not contained in the garage in the garage, so I don't know what the culprit is.

Thanks.

 

[Boland01]

I've opened the plastic seals on the bottles before and the tipe of the screw driver rustred pretty quickly, so I would say it's plausible.

 

[duraleigh]

Can the acid fumes cause rust?

Absolutely

 

[257WbyMag]

Acid attacks metal so any metal nearby could end up being attacked by the fumes.

 

[trclac]

Thanks, all. Removing the acid from the garage seems to be killing two birds with one stone.

 

[Bama Rambler]

You don't have to be too careful about protecting the acid from the heat so storing it outside in an all plastic enclosure is fine. It doesn't degrade from heat like chlorine does.

 

[BigJD]

Any concern with cold temps and MA?

 

[Bama Rambler]

I don't think so, since it freezes at -44ºF. I know it gets cold there but I don't think it gets that cold.

Here's a link to an MSDS for 20º Baume (31.45%).

 

[BigJD]

Thanks Bama. Nope ... its Mass not Minnesota lol

 

[257WbyMag]

...I don't think so, since it freezes at -44ºF...

Didn't know that. Learn something new everyday.

 

[Bama Rambler]

It'd almost make antifreeze wouldn't it (cept for that darned eatin up anything metal part)?

 

[linen]

Thanks Bama. Nope ... its Mass not Minnesota lol

Quit picking on us! I think we may have gotten down to the -40's one time in my life. It's been a good year...coldest this year was -13F. Now I have a cousin who is in North Pole Alaska (its not far from Fairbanks) and they have seen -50s this year.