Hydroblasting is a popular industrial cleaning method. It uses a jet of extremely high-pressure water to clean and remove debris from surfaces like concrete or steel. Hydroblasting is used for industrial cleaning because it can remove all types of rust, build-up, and grime. Hydroblasting is growing in popularity because it’s an eco-friendly, non-abrasive cleaning solution that can be performed quickly with minimal downtime.
Hydroblasting is a quick, economical, and versatile cleaning method that many businesses choose over more expensive options like sandblasting or dry ice blasting. And because it prevents corrosion, hydroblasting also helps preserve a company’s assets like machinery and vehicles.
What is Hydroblasting?
Hydroblasting – also referred to as waterblasting or hydro jetting – is a cleaning method that uses a high-pressure jet of water to remove corrosion, dirt, and debris. Hydroblasting can be used to clean floors, walls, vehicles, pipes, building exteriors, and more.
Hydroblasting works very similar to power-washing, but with much more power. While a power-washer uses around 1,200 PSI (pound-force per square inch) a hydroblasting machine can generate anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 PSI. At those extreme levels of water pressure the hydroblaster’s jet of water can break concrete into pieces and even cut through metal!
Hydroblasting can be used to remove:
- Dirt
- Oil
- Grease
- Rust
- Corrosion
- Paint
- Mineral Deposits
How Does Hydroblasting Work?
Hydroblasting is pretty simple. The operator points the spray wand at an object and sprays it with a stream of extremely high-pressure water. The water cleans the object being sprayed and knocks off any debris. The water then dries on its own.
A hydroblaster system consists of a spraying wand, a hose, a powerful water pump, a power source, and a water tank. Hydroblasters are fitted with a “dead man’s switch” which means that if the hose is accidentally dropped, the water immediately stops spraying, avoiding injury.
Important Safety Considerations
It’s critical to take proper safety precautions when performing hydroblasting. With a jet of water spraying out at more than 10,000 PSI a hydroblasting machine can harm the operator and anyone nearby if not used properly. Proper training, a strict safety protocol, and full personal protective equipment are necessary to avoid injury from the hydroblaster’s powerful spray.
The personal protective equipment needed to perform hydroblasting safely includes:
- Hard hat
- Full face visor or goggles
- Rain suit
- Multi-layer waterproof clothing
- Heavy-duty waterproof gloves
- Steel-toed rubber boots
- Metatarsal guards
- Ear plugs
The Benefits of Hydroblasting
Hydroblasting is a cleaning technique that’s growing in popularity. With several benefits and only a few downsides, hydroblasting is a great choice for your industrial cleaning needs.
Quick & Efficient
Hydroblasting doesn’t take very long to complete. Because it’s so powerful, waterblasting can be performed around six times faster than comparable cleaning methods. This speed allows you to spray down an area quickly with virtually nothing to clean up afterward. Getting the job done fast means less downtime for your business and more productivity than other options.
Hydroblasting Saves Money
Hydroblasting is economical because it only requires a single operator and it can be performed quickly with no expensive detergents. That means less time and labor to complete a project. And with no debris to clean up afterward, it’s much faster than other methods.
Preventive Maintenance
Hydroblasting acts as a form of preventive maintenance because it allows you to easily remove contaminants that will corrode equipment over time. By completely rinsing away corrosive material early, you avoid future damage that would need to be repaired if left unresolved.
No Fumes and Low Noise
When compared to similar cleaning methods, hydroblasting is much quieter. The volume of hydroblasting is usually around 85 decibels. This is much quieter than a car alarm’s volume of 120 decibels or sandblasting at 115 decibels. And because there are no chemicals involved, hydroblasting doesn’t produce any strong fumes either.
Improves Surface Cohesion
While it doesn’t damage surfaces, hydroblasting can be used to add additional roughened texture to the surface which improves cohesion. This slightly rougher surface is ideal for adding protective coatings to later.
Multi-purpose and Versatile
Because it’s non-abrasive and safe for all surfaces, hydroblasting is a versatile industrial cleaning option. It can be used to wash concrete, steel machinery, pipes, storage tanks, and more. It’s safe to spray on practically any industrial equipment or vehicle, which makes hydroblasting an extremely versatile cleaning option. Hydroblasting can even be used to clear clogged pipes.
Safe on Surfaces
Hydroblasting doesn’t use any abrasive materials, which means it won’t scar or chip away at the surface being cleaned. This can be important in an industrial setting, where sandblasting or dry ice blasting could potentially remove protective coatings from the surfaces being cleaned. Precision pressure controls means the operator can spray nearly any surface without risk of damage. This is helpful when spraying sensitive or expensive equipment that would otherwise be damaged.
Cleans Hard-to-Reach Areas
Hydroblasting wands can be used to direct the spray of water underneath equipment, inside pipes, or in tight spaces that would be impossible to reach with other methods. Precision nozzles allow the water jet to target specific areas with a high degree of accuracy, making cleaning tough to reach spots easy.
No Clean Up Needed
Hydroblasting alternative sandblasting is an effective cleaning method, but when you’re done you have to vacuum or sweep up all of the sand that gets left behind. Because hydroblasting only uses water, there’s no mess to clean up afterward. It leaves minimal residue and after the water evaporates, there’s typically nothing else to be done.
Eco-Friendly
Hydroblasting doesn’t require any chemicals, detergents, or produce hazardous fumes. It simply sprays down equipment or an area with an extremely high-powered stream of water, leaving no residual waste behind. Because there’s no waste or chemicals involved, hydroblasting is an eco-friendly industrial cleaning option. Waterblasting also helps preserve materials and equipment meaning they won’t wind up in a landfill, which is better for the environment.
Downsides of Hydroblasting
While hydroblasting is a cleaning method with several benefits, it’s important to note that there are a few drawbacks as well.
Risk of Operator Injury
The biggest downside of hydroblasting is the risk of injury. Because the high-pressure jet of water is so powerful, it has the potential to seriously harm anyone sprayed by it. That’s why safety precautions and personal protective equipment are so important when operating a hydroblaster. When a jet of water can cut a hole in concrete, you don’t want it to come into contact with exposed skin.
Being hit by the spray of a hydroblaster has been compared to a gunshot wound. That’s why it’s critical to take all necessary precautions to avoid being sprayed when operating a hydroblaster as it will cause life-threatening injuries. Even though it’s spraying water, the speed and force of the hydroblaster make it very dangerous.
The experienced professionals at Alpine Painting & Restoration follow OSHA standards and take extra precaution to avoid any risk of harm when hydroblasting.
Flying Debris
Hydroblasters are primarily used to remove debris from surfaces. This means that small particles of dirt, oil, grease, and rust will be hit with a high-powered stream of water and could potentially hit the person spraying or anyone nearby. It’s important to wear a protective mask and eyewear when performing hydroblasting to avoid being hit with debris; especially in the face or eyes. Likewise, the area needs to be cleared of any unnecessary personnel while hydroblasting is in progress.
Could Damage Older Pipes
Waterblasting can be used to unclog pipes, but for older pipes the force of the water can actually damage the pipe itself. Older pipes that have the potential to crack or break are unsuitable for being flushed with a hydroblaster, instead they should be cleared and cleaned using more traditional methods.
Get Hydroblasting in the Philadelphia Area
With so many benefits and applications, hydroblasting is a terrific choice for your industrial cleaning project. Whether you need to remove rust buildup from a storage tank or spray off layers of paint from your warehouse, hydroblasting is the quick, economical solution for your company.
Does your business need hydroblasting services to remove rust, dirt, or corrosion? We’re one of your local hydroblasting companies and with over thirty years of service to Philadelphia-area businesses we’re one of the most trusted. Contact Alpine Painting & Restoration today to discuss hydroblasting options and get a free quote.
