Cleaning San Francisco's Streets

by Kevin Smith Author

When your city, or your part of the city, isn't clean, it not only leaves a poor impression, it can lead to problems where drains are clogged and unsightly and possibly harmful debris is left behind. A San Francisco street sweeper's job is to mitigate these situations and keep streets and towns looking good and presentable to residents and visitors. Read more here about getting these services for your project.

It's Not Just Streets

Large scale street sweeping for a city is primarily a municipal service, so the city governments are the entities letting the contracts. But there are several reasons you may need the services of a street sweeper:

Cleaning a small or private street not part of the city proper
Sweeping or vacuuming an access road or parking lot, especially after events
Cleaning parking lots, streets of apartment complexes or housing complexes
Removing debris from job sites, especially roadwork

If you have a reason to need the services of street sweepers, the same professionals that tend to local streets are available to work on your project.

Unique Equipment

Everyone recognizes street sweepers when they see them. From small, nimble trucks to large, multiple function ones, they are specialized, purpose-built vehicles. They may be designed for sweeping up, cleaning up, or both. With a complex set of brushes, conveyors, hoppers, or vacuums, plus possibly water spraying capabilities, and in some cases specifically designed for making tight turns and even left or right-hand drive, it is easy to understand why they are so efficient and costly. But they are the right tool for the job.

The Stuff to Be Swept

Even in urban areas or open parking lots, the stuff a street sweeper needs to deal with is varied, in terms of size, shape, density, and composition. Sweepers need to be able to handle:

leaves, grass, and other varieties of vegetation
runoff from erosion of things like brick, concrete, and wood
street and road debris like asphalt
especially from job sites, anything that is tracked out by vehicles
vehicular debris, like oil and other liquids, rubber, plastic, glass, and the metal
litter of all kinds, from benign to dangerous

You get the point. Almost anything can, and will, wind up on the street. Because some of this stuff can be harmful or include pollutants, getting a reliable and effective San Francisco street sweeper for your projects is critically important.