Antifreeze mess

[trivetman]

Just helped a friend who was in a jam close and winterize their fiberglass hot tub. All went well enough until the end when I failed to reconnect a union before pouring in a bunch of antifreeze.

I shop-vacced up the mess best I could and it didn’t get on equipment, just went into the grooves of the bottom shell.

Whats needed to clean this up? Will it turn into a nasty sticky mess if left to dry?

 

[ajw22]

Can you flush the mess with a hose and water, or is it too cold?

 

[trivetman]

The next couple days are warm.

I wasn’t sure a spray down was a great idea as theres some electrical under there. I am sure its got some amount of water resistance but being in the line of a full flush might be a bad idea.

Will spreading some kitty liter to absorb work? I assume leaving it be will turn into disgusting

 

[ajw22]

I think kitty litter will make more of a mess.

Try and dilute it while not spraying the electric stuff.

 

[DrewLG]

Will spreading some kitty liter to absorb work?

If you have kitty litter because you also have cats, make sure you keep them away from the spill.

Most antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Cats find it sweet and tasty, but it's extremely toxic to them -- just a small amount can be fatal.

You should just flush the area with water. Coolant is water-soluble; running a hose over the spill for a couple minutes will dilute it and wash it away.

 

[trivetman]

No cats but there is a dog. Same toxicity concern?

Its the rv/pool antifreeze. Thought that was non- toxic

 

[DrewLG]

No cats but there is a dog. Same toxicity concern?

Its the rv/pool antifreeze. Thought that was non- toxic

Yes, same toxicity concern for dogs that ingest ethylene glycol.

But if your antifreeze was propylene glycol, then you're fine; it is indeed non-toxic in the small quantities that would be ingested by a dog or cat lapping it up from a puddle.

 

[sande005]

All antifreeze sold for RV's/Pools/home water lines is propylene glycol. It is actually a food additive (one of the magic ingredients that keeps Twinkies fresh!). Worst case for animals is they may get an upset stomach if too much. My many dogs over the years have always ignored it when I have to flush it out after dewinterizing my pool. Some pool owners even just let it mix into the pool water when dewintering, but I'd be hesitant to do that - I redirect it on to the lawn.
It takes a very long time to evaporate - any residue should not cause issues, but can be a bit sticky. If in an area water normally gets to, it will just dilute in the water. Can't say what it might do in electrical connections or equipment bearings...
Some brands are a mix with ethanol. Not food grade, but still may get the person/animal a bit tipsy....

But yes, ethylene glycol is nasty stuff, except in vehicle cooling systems.

 

[trivetman]

Its definitely proplyene glycol. Ill get over there tomorrow and flush the area

 

[proavia]

Disconnect the electric at the electrical disconnect or at the main circuit breaker panel.
Dilute the antifreeze with water.
Use a leaf blower to blow the diluted solution out the best you can.