As dirt and debris gets washed off cars in self-service bays, auto-rollover car washes, and tunnel washes, sludge starts to build up in the pits. The buildup of odor-causing toxins and debris results from vehicles being washed in the same spot over and over again. That washed off dirt and grease ends up collecting in the pits. If your in–bay automatic carwash generates any amount of volume you should be pumping out the reclaim vaults every three to four months. Many of the carwashes here in Greensboro as well as other parts of the United States have chosen to have the sediment and sludge removed as part of their normal maintenance. Failing to remove the build up of sludge in a reclaim system could cause a clog in the whole system. 

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Cleaning car wash pits is a stressful, dirty, and time consuming job. While washing your own car wash pit will save you money, it could actually cost you more in time and repairs down the line if it’s not done right. Because the sludge from your car wash pit can contain mercury and arsenic, there are a lot of risks that you and your employees are put it when you attempt to clean your own pits. The waste has the potential to be harmful if it comes into contact with whoever is cleaning it, as well as harmful for the environment. Any and all sludge has to be tested before it can be disposed of properly. 

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