Pressure cleaning is also termed as hydrocleaning, waterblasting, and high pressure cleaning. In this process, water is propelled at very high speeds targeting surfaces and materials. By the right use of pressure and focus, hydrocleaning can remove not only dirt, moss, algae, dust, grime, oil and grease deposits, etc. but also takes away paints from walls and metals, rubber from airfield runways, membranes and sealants from concrete surfaces, and gum and other sticky materials from sidewalks without much difficulty.
The pressure cleaning operations are classified into four categories for standard cleaning and surface preparations. The specifications of these classifications had been structured by the Steel Structures Painting Council or SSPC. The definitions of pressure cleaning using the technology of water jetting are as follows.
- Low pressure cleaning is conducted with water pressure lesser than 5,000 psi or 34 MPa
- High pressure cleaning is done with water pressure that is between 5,000 and 10,000 psi or 34 and 70 MPa
- High pressure water jetting is using water pressures in the range of 10,000 to 25,000 psi or 70 to 170 MPa
- Ultra high pressure water jetting is escalating the water pressure to above 25,000 psi or 170 MPa
Pressure Cleaning of Buildings and Living Area Surfaces
The most common among the above four categories of pressure cleaning is low pressure cleaning and high pressure cleaning, which are used to clean or remove dust, dirt, grime, mud, mould, mud, etc. from surfaces and objects like residential and commercial buildings, factory buildings and surfaces, and concrete roads. Normally, pressure cleaning equipments are rented for such cleaning operations by hiring professional pressure cleaning service providers. These organizations use pressures between 750 psi and 30,000 psi but for normal cleaning of buildings and surfaces, pressures less than 5,000 psi are widely used to protect the structures from damage by the cleaning process itself.
The pressure washing of buildings is done with special pressure washer equipment that contains a motor driving a water pump, a specially designed high-pressure hose and a trigger switch. The pump can draw only that much water available in the water source the equipment is connected to. Hence, the pressure cleaning technicians initially estimate the amount of water required to clean a particular area of surface and arrange for the necessary level of water source. Otherwise, the pump will become starved of water, run on dry mode and get damaged.
The nozzles used for various types of cleaning also differ according to the required pressure level and the extent of dirt or grime that had accumulated on the surface. The pressure and pattern of water spraying is controlled by the nozzle and the type of application. Certain nozzles emit jets of water in triangular patterns, while others eject pencil-thin jets. The first type of nozzle is used for cleaning larges surfaces, while the latter type of nozzle is used effectively to reach deep crevices and other spots that are not easily approachable.
Pressure washers are classified by the kind of fuel or energy consumed by them. The major types of pressure cleaning equipment are
- Electric pressure washers
- Petrol pressure washers
- Diesel pressure washers
- Gas pressure washers
- Propane pressure washers
- Hydraulic high pressure washers
- Ultra high pressure washers
- High pressure steam cleaners
Nearly all these pressure washers are designed to use ordinary water or water mixed with detergents or chemicals for effective and efficient high pressure cleaning. Such detergents, chemicals, hot water and steam are used to loosen oil and grease, as well as other sticky substances on the surface and clean them properly.
The most common pressure cleaning applications for buildings and structures are brick cleaning, concrete cleaning, cleaning pavers, driveway cleaning, pressure cleaning of patios, verandas, footpaths, walkways, fences and poolside areas. Each type of cleaning will require exact amount of water pressures to be used. Lesser pressure will result in improper and incomplete cleaning, while excessive water pressure can cause irreparable damage yo the structures. As such, pressure cleaning and high pressure cleaning must be undertaken only by professional pressure cleaning experts.
Further, the pressure washers are dangerous equipments. They are capable of removing flesh from human body and expose the bones if water pressure exceeds certain levels and the water jet accidentally hits human skin. Further, gas or propane operated pressure washers can ignite in closed chambers and wreak havoc. Such type of pressure cleaning techniques are more suitable for outdoor cleaning purposes, where the risk of fire will be less and mobility will be higher where electrical connections are not available.
Ultra high pressure cleaning is used in industrial and outdoor cleaning requirements where heavy level of cleaning or preparation of surfaces for certain specific applications is needed. Membranes such as rubber, urethane, elastomeric membranes and hot applied membranes, as well as paints in highways, airfield runways, metal surfaces and parking surfaces are removed through these high pressure cleaning processes. The same technology is also used on various types of surfaces that had been dirtied by graffiti, pollution, sticky materials such as gum, etc.
One of the most important high pressure cleaning methods used with maximum effect is on commercial and military airfield runways. The landing strips of planes need to maintain fixed levels of friction to avoid skidding of the planes when they land. Constant landing of planes on the strips tend to increase the level of rubber on the surfaces due to the sticking of such rubber from the plane tires. Such excess rubber must be removed regularly to restore the exact friction levels. High pressure cleaning is the most effective process in achieving this and ensuring safe landing of planes on airstrips.
From the above, it must be clear that pressure cleaning and high pressure cleaning are the work of highly trained and experienced professionals. We have imparted special training to our technicians and use only pressure washers and other pressure cleaning equipment that are maintained in very good condition to ensure perfect cleaning and avoid damages or other types of risks. Contact us to know more about pressure cleaning to keep your buildings clean and grime free, with a fresh, new look.
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