The pros and cons of soda blasting and sandblasting – two popular types of industrial blast cleaning
Looking for a way to rid dirt, paint, mould, rust, corrosion, and more from your industrial surfaces? You might want to look into blast cleaning techniques before researching any further! Our expert team at CCUK is newly offering `soda blasting` and we have so much to say about it. But what’s the difference between soda blasting and sandblasting – the well-known abrasive blast cleaning technique? Read on to find out! If you’ve any questions at any point, please do give us a call on 01482 425250.
How does soda blasting work?
Soda blast cleaning uses compressed air from a pump and through a hose to `blast` sodium bicarbonate particles and water at a surface requiring industrial cleaning or stripping. When the particles hit the surface with such force, they effectively lift and blow away dirt, mould, rust, paint, graffiti, or the unwanted substance in question. The last stage involves simply washing the soda particles away with water and allowing the surface to dry. Quick, easy, affordable, non-abrasive, and gentle on the environment. There’s a lot to love about soda blasting.
What is soda blasting good for?
Soda blasting is very versatile and there’s not much that cannot be cleaned using it! Here is a non-exhaustive list of the jobs we can complete with soda blasting:
- Kills mould
- Removes paint and powder from concrete, aluminium, and wood
- Graffiti removal
- Industrial equipment cleaning
- Rust removal and preventative
- Surface preparation for coatings on concrete and steel
- Timber restoration
- Cleans crawl spaces
- Cleans engines
- Cleans marine hulls
- Restores following fire damage
To learn more about what soda blasting and other types of blast cleaning can do, call our specialist team on 01482 425250 or fill in our online form we’ll get respond to you shortly. Please note that we offer our specialist concrete services in the Yorkshire and the Humber region only.
Soda blasting is compatible with the following material
One of the biggest pros of soda blasting is that it’s compatible with almost any material; this includes organic materials like wood and artificial/man-made ones such as stainless steel. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Carbon Fibre
- Stainless Steel
- Rubber
- Brick
- Wood
- Sandstone
- Steel
- Fibreglass
- Aluminium
- Glass
- GRP
Is soda blasting messy?
Soda blasting can be very messy! However, your trained blast cleaning specialist will anticipate the mess and know exactly how to clean it up in the correct manner. The soda particles used in soda blasting can be thrown in skips with no special measures – however, they should be disposed of in an approved place, for example, a local facility.
To read more about the disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals, visit the Health and Safety Executive’s webpage
The benefits of soda blasting
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the benefits of choosing soda blasting as an industrial cleaning method:
✔️Soda blasting is affordable and quick to do
✔️It is non-abrasive and does not damage wood, warp metal, or negatively impact other surface materials
✔️Does not leave marks caused by heat or chemicals
✔️It’s safe to breathe in and is non-toxic to humans, animals, and living organisms (although, the soda bicarbonate used can affect the pH balance of soil so care must be taken not to spray surrounding foliage, etc.)
✔️It accumulates minimal mess
✔️Soda blasting is gentler and less abrasive than other blast cleaning methods
✔️It can be used in marine and other high-corrosion environments
We are one of the UK’s leading construction companies offering blasting cleaning and preparation techniques – and we’re based right here in Yorkshire! For further information or to book your free feasibility survey & cost analysis, get in touch via our dedicated page. Please note that we offer our specialist concrete services in the Yorkshire and the Humber region only.
What’s the difference between sandblasting and soda blasting?
Although soda blasting has been dubbed `the new sandblasting` and despite them both being a form of blast cleaning, there are key differences between the way each service is prepared and the results they bring. We’d always recommend speaking to a blast cleaning specialist before making any decisions because both are offered as worthy services for their own reasons!
Is soda blasting better than sandblasting?
Although both are highly effective forms of industrial cleaning and surface material removal, soda blasting is considered safer, less toxic, and better for the environment. Soda blasting is also suited to a larger array of surfaces, even sensitive areas with delicate substrates (the underlying layers of a surface which react to chemical changes). Meanwhile, the more abrasive sandblasting is a better solution for smooth surfaces and certain metals that require lots of priming or profiling.
To read more about our full range of blast cleaning services, visit our dedicated webpage
Soda blasting near me
We are one of the UK’s leading construction companies offering blasting cleaning and preparation techniques – and we’re based right here in Yorkshire! For further information or to book your free feasibility survey & cost analysis, get in touch via our dedicated page. Or, simply call 01482 425250 to speak to a member of our expert team. Please note that we offer our specialist concrete services in the Yorkshire and the Humber region only.
Suggested reading for you based on soda blasting and sandblasting
Looking for a quick, safe, and environmentally friendly industrial cleaning service? Learn more about soda blasting and sandblasting along with other blast cleaning techniques by choosing one of the links below.
- Visit our designated blast cleaning and preparation techniques page
- Read our relevant blog – “Is hydro blasting an effective cleaning method for industrial surfaces?”
Or browse our other specialist concrete services: CRSW – CRSW Concrete Repairs and Specialist Works
