Sand Blasting: How This "Dirty" Cleaning Method Gets Things Clean
Posted on: 26 February 2018
Of all the exterior cleaning services, sand blasting is a curious one. You are using sand or some other gritty material to clean a home or building. It makes you wonder how something that is usually thought of as dirty can make things clean. Here is how it works and when you might need to use such a service.
Fine Grit Propelled
Sand blasting, which is more often referred to as "abrasive cleaning," takes a superfine grit of sand or abrasive material and propels it with some serious pressure against the surface that needs cleaning. It is not liquid, but dry, pressurized air and the fine grit. To help you understand this process better, imagine taking a steel wool pad or a belt sander with sandpaper and running it over the areas you want to clean. The sheer roughness of these materials scrapes away the dirt much quicker and easier than trying to blast it with water alone.
The biggest differences between trying to sand away the dirt with a tool or scrub it by hand is that you are less likely to develop a lot of pain trying to apply pressure and scrubbing, and you can get a lot more done in an hour. A sand blasting machine can clear an entire wall of dirt in just a matter of a few minutes. It is both clean and effective for the job at hand.
Why You May Need Sand Blasting/Abrasive Cleaning
Nine times in ten, this type of exterior cleaning is used to remove graffiti. It is also excellent for removing frozen or dried-on egg and other sticky substances that cannot be removed with a power washer or a car wash. Additionally, if you have a brick home, dirt tends to collect in the pores of the bricks, and greenery adheres to the brick in ways that make it difficult to remove. The abrasive cleaning cleans even the smallest of pores on brick and cuts down the greenery, removing it from your brick home without damaging a thing.
Residual Grit
Yes, you can expect some residual grit, but no more so than a wind storm blows your way. A good rainstorm rinses away any residual grit. You can also request a pressure wash with water after the abrasive cleaning has been completed. Either way, your exterior will shine through, looking cleaner and newer than it has in a long time.
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