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Thought some of you might be interested in a short blurb in our local paper describing the potential high cost of a DIY project:
Crumpled paper towels soaked with deck sealant spontaneously burst into flames and gutted a Southwest Portland house, fire investigators said. The homeowner used a linseed oil-based product to seal his front and back decks, said the Fire Bureau spokesman. “He wiped up the excess stain with paper towels. He put the paper towels in a garbage can and they spontaneously heated when he wasn’t there.” The homeowner, his wife, and small child were left homeless after the two story house burned. A melted natural gas meter intensified the fire, in which flames shot 60 feet into the air. About 60 firefighters extinguished the blaze, which caused $400,000 damage to the house and its contents.
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After such a tragedy I feel like I am a bit unfeeling when I say "WHEN WILL PEOPLE LEARN?"
This happened in our town a couple of years back. Six homes burnt to the ground, all because of painters working in one of the homes were careless about disposing of their oil soaked rags.
Thankfully, no one suffered injuries.
*One of the brightest guys I know (literally a rocket scientist) was storing oily rags in a paper bag because he wasn't sure how to dispose of them. I was astonished. This same guy used to dump motor oil down the storm sewer because it didn't occur to him where it was going. A lot of people are clueless on this stuff; for a pro to mess it up is even worse.
*Painter got hurt on a job several years ago... ambulance was called for a broken leg, suffered in a fall from a 24 foot ladder onto a walkway below.When asked, he complained about the leg, and his backside... the ambulance crew suspected a pelvic fracture... but found upon examination... second degree burns to the painter's right buttock! A high -frequency solvent, photochemically reactive (xylol) was being used to clean the window glass, and all was well for the first hour or two... then the sun moved, illuminating the painter, his vapor-soaked pants, and the rag. 24 feet up, with his a** on fire, he exited the ladder! Read the label.(BTW: no, xylol doesn't say "warning, a** may catch fire" but "photochemically reactive" should do.)
*Hey, the good news was...at least the rag was in his BACK pocket! - jb
*Regaurding the spontaneous cumbustion etc.I am sure many of us often soak parts over night in coffee cans full of kerosine.I frequently do this with the contact assembly of roofing guns.Any suuggestions on NOT burning down the garage?Good Luck,Stephen
*Kerosene isn't all that volatile, and it doesn't "cure" like linseed oil, which is what spontaneously generates the heat that may lead to ignition. I'd think you'd be OK sealing the container, possibly leaving it outside. Keep away from flame, etc. Remember the stuff is toxic, so keep from children, pets, etc.There are even safer solvents -- turpentine?
*stephen i use brake parts cleaner for my roofers---just spray it on and brush with a part cleaner brush. safe and can be done at the start of the day. also you dont end up at the job and alas your guns are at home, safe in the shop!