5 Reasons Why Dry Ice Blasting is Worth the Investment

5 Reasons Why Dry Ice Blasting is Worth the Investment

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5 Reasons Why Dry Ice Blasting is Worth the Investment

There are lots of different industrial cleaning solutions on the market today – and dry ice blasting is quickly becoming one of the most popular. Upfront, dry ice blasting may appear to have a higher cost, however, it’s important to consider a number of factors to see how each industrial cleaning method can impact a business.

Clean up costs, potential downtimes, and other factors also affect a company’s bottom line – and should be considered when choosing an industrial cleaning service.  Coincidentally, they’re also a few of the reasons why we believe dry ice blasting is worth the investment.

Read more about the advantages of dry ice blasting below:

Dry Ice Blasting is Quick

The carbon dioxide dry ice pellets that are blasted out at high speeds almost immediately turn into a gas. That’s the perfect recipe for getting into hard to reach spaces that would be nearly impossible to clean by hand.  While traditional methods may require equipment to be disassembled and moved to a designated cleaning area, dry ice blasting can be performed right on the line, resulting in a cleaning process that can begin – and end – within hours, rather than days.

Dry Ice Blasting Will Shorten Potential Downtimes

Dry ice blasting’s unique cleaning process – using an extreme cold shock to break the bond between the coating and the substrate – eliminates many of the negative elements usually associated with industrial cleaning.  Dry ice blasting requires no additional hand scrubbing, drying or cool downtime, and results in no residual blast clean up.  All of that helps to minimize any potential downtimes for a business and getting it up and running as quickly as possible.

Dry Ice Blasting is Non-Abrasive

Other industrial cleaning methods may damage switches, panels, or belts, as gritty material, such as sand, is blasted out under high pressure.  Dry ice blasting, on the other hand, is non-abrasive.  Instead of friction, dry ice blasting uses the vapour that’s formed when dry ice pellets are blasted out at high speeds to remove dirt and grime.  Therefore, dry ice blasting can deliver a high quality clean that’s safe for a variety of materials and surfaces.

Dry Ice Blasting is Safe for Electrical Components

While the more traditional industrial cleaning methods can damage electrical components, dry ice blasting can be used on switches, wiring, photoelectric sensors, and other typically sensitive materials.  That means that any dirt, build-up, or grime can be removed quickly and thoroughly, as part of the blasting process – saving a business the added time and effort of trying to cleanse electrical elements by hand or taking apart heavy machinery.

Dry Ice Blasting is Environmentally Friendly

Unlike other industrial cleaning solutions, dry ice blasting leaves no carbon footprint.  The process does not produce carbon dioxide, or add carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, thanks to being obtained from reclaimed carbon dioxide.  Since the dry ice pellets vaporize during the cleaning process, all that’s left behind is the removed dirt and grime.  Unlike sandblasting or soda blasting, dry ice blasting produces no secondary waste that needs to be properly handled and disposed of following the cleanup.

Our mobile fleet is ready to tackle the toughest jobs in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Windsor, Barrie, and Northern Ontario. Contact us today to see how we can help with mould or fire restoration needs.


Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Why Dry Ice Blasting is the Number 1 Solution for Mould Remediation
History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

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Dry Ice Blasting: Effective Cleaning Method for Fire Restoration and Cleaning of Commercial and Industrial Ceilings

Dry Ice Blasting: Effective Cleaning Method for Fire Restoration and Cleaning of Commercial and Industrial Ceilings

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Dry Ice Blasting: Effective Cleaning Method for Fire Restoration and Cleaning of Commercial and Industrial Ceilings

The ceilings of factories and commercial properties are often overlooked in the cleaning process – but ceilings need some attention too.

Dry ice blasting is a particularly effective method for cleaning commercial and industrial ceilings that have corrugated steal decking and trusses.

Dry ice blasting can be done as part of a regular cleaning routine, after a fire, or in instances where paint is flaking off and falling into the production and process areas. It is also a great method for cleaning up production residue, such as grease, oil, and dirt.

For fire restoration, dry ice blasting is the most effective approach for a quick recovery that saves money by restoring instead of replacing the ceiling. It takes care of smoke odor and soot removal, providing better and cleaner results. The need for additional cleanup is also eliminated as dry ice pellets sublimate on contact.

In the case of wood ceilings, dry ice blasting equipment can be used to shave wood surfaces, exposing clean timber and a HEPA vac system is used to contain the particles for transfer.

Here are three things you should know about commercial and industrial high-level cleaning:

Sediment Accumulation Can Turn into a Health Issue

Accumulating dust and sediment on ceilings are more than just an aesthetic problem (though it can make locations look worn out and dull). The dirt and grime can also lead to health issues for employees. Dry ice blasting removes the buildup of grease, dirt, and even paint, to keep facilities as safe – and as clean – as possible. Furthermore, falling dirt and debris can affect machinery and disrupt production lines, ultimately impacting product quality. Therefore, regular cleanings can ensure a more productive workplace, and we can repaint ceilings after cleaning, to further improve the look of the space.

High-level Cleaning Can Be Performed with Limited Downtime

The biggest barrier to commercial and industrial high-level cleaning is usually finding the time to get the job done.  Businesses understandably hesitate to interrupt production, but we are able to minimize factory downtimes. Dry ice blasting is a completely dry method that is able to get into all of the hard to reach nooks and crevices of ceiling decking and trusses. It also produces no secondary waste, other than the residue removed, so the disruption to a business’ production is limited. We also offer the flexibility to schedule the cleaning around specific requirements so as to make the cleaning process as efficient as possible.

Only Work with Professionals

Cleaning at high levels can be dangerous. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the company carrying out the cleaning has had its employees complete a “working at heights” training program, delivered by a certified training provider, to meet government requirements.  With decades of industrial cleaning experience, we pride ourselves on creating safe work environments for our customers and employees.

If your ceilings could use some TLC, contact Wickens to learn more about high-level cleaning and how we can provide this service in your facility. Our mobile fleet is ready to tackle the toughest jobs in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Windsor, Barrie, and Northern Ontario.


Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Why Dry Ice Blasting is the Number 1 Solution for Mould Remediation
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Roger White

Why Dry Ice Blasting is the Number 1 Solution for Mould Remediation

Why Dry Ice Blasting is the Number 1 Solution for Mould Remediation

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Why Dry Ice Blasting is the Number 1 Solution for Mould Remediation

The last thing a business wants to discover in their premises is mould. Not only is it a potential danger to employees, but the appearance of mould also means unplanned shutdown times in order for the affected areas to be properly cleaned. There are several methods that claim to help with commercial mould remediation, but we believe that dry ice blasting is the number one solution.

Dry ice blasting can be carried out as part of a regular cleaning routine, following fire or flood damage, or in places where you need to get rid of heavy production residue, like grease, oil, or dirt. It’s fast, environmentally friendly and effective. These qualities – in addition to dry ice blasting’s versatility – make it one of the most popular industrial cleaning methods on the market today.

Click here to watch our experts use dry ice blasting to clean mould.

Here are three reasons why dry ice blasting is the top choice for getting rid of mould:

Dry Ice Blasting Can Be Done Anywhere.

Dry ice blasting works by propelling dry ice pellets at extremely high speeds.  Upon impact, the pellet sublimates almost immediately, breaking the bond between the debris and the substrate with minimal impact. That makes it safe to be used in all areas of a facility, including in production areas around machines, and most electrical equipment.

Instead of having to use different cleanup methods for different areas of your plant, dry ice blasting is the best single solution for removing mould.  The blasting can be carried out in a variety of spaces, from attics and ceilings, to crawl spaces, basements and foundations.

Dry Ice Blasting is Effective.

Dry ice blasting removes 99.9% of mould spores from wood and other inorganic and organic surfaces – and it does so without using any toxic chemicals during the remediation process. Dry ice pellets use sublimation to break the bond between the mould and the substrate with minimal abrasion. A HEPAvac system is used to contain mould particles for transfer, and aside from properly removing and disposing of the mould, dry ice blasting requires no additional clean up.

Dry Ice Blasting Delivers Quick, Thorough Results.

Dry ice blasting is effective and environmentally friendly. Moreover, companies are often impressed by the speed at which dry ice blasting achieves results. Since it’s safe to use on a variety of surfaces, machines and production lines can be cleaned in place. Couple that with zero need for dry time, and dry ice blasting can help get your business up and running much faster than traditional mould remediation methods.

We Offer Mould and Fire Restoration Solutions

So, if you have a mould problem or are facing the aftermath of a fire, contact us for professional cleanup services. Our team of professionals are experienced in cleaning industrial and commercial structures and production and plant equipment, and our work meets the highest industry standards.

Our mobile fleet is ready to tackle the toughest jobs in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Windsor, Barrie, and Northern Ontario. Contact us today to see how we can help with your mould or fire restoration needs.


Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting 
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Roger White

History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

Blog

History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

History and Usage of Dry Ice BlastingDry Ice Blasting is now recognised as the foremost solution for the industry to maximise production capability and quality. The process uses similar principles to other intense cleaning methods including sand and soda blasting whereby particles are accelerated via pressurised stream towards a surface to remove dirt and residue. However, unlike these traditional methods, dry ice blasting is multi-purpose and can be used in even the most sensitive of environments including food manufacturing. Furthermore, dry ice blasting is regarded as the environmentally friendly alternative for such cleaning and it helps that in most cases no disassembly of the surrounding structures is required.

How Did It Come About?

The first record of dry ice is attributed to French chemist Thilorier in 1835. He witnessed the appearance of solid CO2 – dry ice – at the bottom of a container which had housed liquid carbon dioxide. Thereafter the material was subjected to years of laboratory testing without any specific uses identified.

In 1892, a doctor in the British Army was granted a patent for solidification of carbon dioxide. His aim was to make soda water to mix with his whiskey but found the cylinders too heavy to carry. The dry ice was not used in the mainstream for this purpose as it would sublimate into gas before all of it was used.

Commercial Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

Commercial usage of dry ice blastingCommercial use of dry ice started in 1925 in the fire extinguisher field, moving onto the rail network to insulate railroad cars. Products that realised the benefits of dry ice included ice cream, and frozen foods, particularly by Birdseye frozen foods that set up in 1931.

However, it wasn’t until 1986 when dry ice blasting was considered an option for industrial cleaning. It was in this year that pioneers of dry ice blasting officially opened their first production plant to develop what was then simply an idea. Through the ‘90s, continued research and development produced robust and efficient technology that was practical and provided value for money.

Over the years the dry ice cleaning method has evolved into two systems; dual hose and single hose systems. Both systems will provide optimal cleaning results, but a single hose proves better for dealing with stubborn and heavier debris and also allows for the operator to be at a greater distance from the actual operation taking place. There is also the added choice of whether to use dry ice pellets or shaved dry ice blocks. Much like the differences between the dual and single hose options, shaved particles are recommended for intricate, confined areas while pellets work better for resistant contaminants.

We Can Help With Fire Restoration

If you’re facing the aftermath of a fire, contact us for professional cleanup services. Our team of professionals are experienced in cleaning industrial and commercial structures and production and plant equipment, and our work meets the highest industry standards.

Our mobile fleet is ready to tackle the toughest jobs in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Windsor, Barrie, and Northern Ontario. Contact us today to see how we can help with your fire restoration needs.


Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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• Check out Our New Case Study: Using Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Economizer Piping
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• Check out Our New Case Study: Subway Restaurant Fire Restoration

 

Roger White