Hey everyone! I'm in a bit of a pickle and could really use your advice. I was getting my backyard ready for the summer by doing some maintenance, and I ran into a major issue with my pressure washer hose. It was stuck, and after trying everything—like heating it up and using vice grips—nothing worked. Eventually, I decided to just cut the hose off, but here's where things went sideways.
While cutting, I noticed that some tiny metal shavings started to scatter into the grass. They're really small, almost like powder, and they ended up right where my dog pees and my kids play (but don't worry, they don't play in that area directly). Now, I'm looking for ways to keep them safe without restricting their access to the backyard entirely. I thought about using a strong magnet or letting the area dry out and then vacuuming it up, but I'm open to other suggestions. What do you think? Should I throw down some topsoil? Sand? Any thoughts on the best way to handle this?
2 Answers
I wouldn't rely on the magnet if you're dealing with soft metal. A shop vac sounds like a solid plan, just be cautious because metal shavings can mess with the vacuum. Adding topsoil might just cause more sharp bits to surface after it rains. Instead, wait until night and shine a flashlight on the area; you might be able to spot those shiny bits more easily.
I have to advise against using a shop vac. I had a bad experience with mine shorting out while trying to clean up metal shavings. It's better to play it safe! Maybe you could try a combination of vacuuming and sifting through the soil to remove any sharp pieces?