DRY ICE BLASTING-The Latest Fire Cleanup Technology

11/15/2018 (Permalink)

The before and after of dry ice blasting a concrete ceiling following an high rise apartment fire.

Dry ice blasting is one of the newer tools in the restorer's tool belt. It has many benefits over traditional blasting media such as sandblasting, bead blasting, or soda blasting. Most notably, dry ice blasting leaves nothing behind except what has been removed from the surface so there is no added cleanup. 

Ice blasting works by shooting small pellets of dry ice out of a jet nozzle with high powered compressed air. The pellets themselves are soft but are extremely cold (-109 degrees F). When the cold pellet hits the matter to be removed, it causes it to shrink and lose its adhesion to the surface. As it continues thru the material it hits the warmer sub surface below the cleaned matter and creates a micro burst as the pellet expands back into carbon dioxide gas. This mini shock wave also aids in the removal of the material being cleaned without creating surface erosion. It leaves nothing behind but the removed material. 

Since the ice converts back to a gas, it is immediately dry to the touch. This makes this medium safe to use around electrical parts and allows items to be put back into service immediately without having to dry. It works without solvents and leaves no waste. 

As a restorer, we primary use dry ice blasting to remove soot and toxic residues from a burned structure after a fire to aid in the removal of odors. However, there are many commercial and industrial uses for this technology. If you'd like to know if this type of cleaning could benefit you, contact us for more information. (570) 235-1646

Dry Ice cleaning is 100% ecologically safe, USDA rated, biodegradable and harmless to humans, animals and marine life

Another reason that SERVPRO of Carbondale/Clarks Summit/Old Forge is the Scranton/Wilkes-barre premier smoke, fire and water cleanup and restoration company.