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Limescale is a hard chalky deposit that is usually associated with pipework and appliances, however, it can occur almost anywhere; heritage buildings, factory walls, industrial unit cladding, flooring, urinals, swimming pools, washbasins, old bricks and more. Chemically, limescale is a deposit of calcium carbonate and is sometimes referred to simply as scale.
Removal of limescale can be a frustrating job, when you think that you have your limescale problem sorted, the surface that you have cleaned dries out and it reappears. The usual response to limescale cleaning is to reach for the acid to do the job. Domestic limescale removal is usually done using vinegar or lemon juice, but that is far too slow and inefficient for industrial limescale removal.
Industrial chemical removal of limescale is a hazardous task since it involves the use of hydrochloric acid (sometimes referred to by it old name of muriatic acid). Not only do you need to protect your staff from acid splashes, you need to exclude staff, visitors (and the general public in some cases) from the area being cleaned. Strong acids can easily damage the surface being cleaned, leading to expensive repairs. Then there is the small matter of the legal disposal of the acid too.
All in all, removing limescale build up requires planning and organisation that goes beyond normal industrial or commercial cleaning operations, in short you need a commercial cleaning contractor.
For external limescale removal, APT offer the best possible solution – soda blasting. Blasting soda is made from crystals of sodium bicarbonate that are designed to explode on impact. The energy of these explosions breaks down the bonds holding the limescale to the substrate, but without harming the surface below. It is therefore ideal for use on heritage brickwork, ancient and scheduled monuments, factory walls and cladding.
The reason that soda blasting does not harm the substance being cleaned is that it is very soft, when compared to building materials, ceramics, metals etc. It has the same hardness as talc and will not scratch or gouge the substrate.
Since it is the same material that is used in baking powder and some toothpastes, disposal is not a problem. You benefit from an easier, lower cost clean-up that will not contravene local or national environmental legislation.
Naturally, you will be looking for a reputable and reliable soda blasting contractor. APT have been in the business for over a quarter of a century. We offer you a free site visit prior to the limescale removal, during which we will assess the needs of each area requiring cleaning. Our limescale removal consultant will also discuss how the cleaning operation will be carried out in order to minimise disruption to daily routine. Our limescale removal team also take care of access, materials, equipment, consumables plus H&S requirements. With a single telephone call, you can organise a stress-free operation that will guarantee you perfect results.
Contact APT now on 0800 723 773 for a no-obligation chat about your soda blasting needs and to arrange your FREE, no-obligation site visit.
Other Contaminants
- Carbon deposits
- Remnants of hydrocarbons
- All traces of gasket material
- Stains
- Surface corrosion including rust
- Solidified oil and grease loaded with dust, grit and other debris
- Adhesives & other bonding agents
- Bitumen
- Multiple layers of paint
Materials Suitable For
- Plastics
- Glass
- GRP
- Brick and stonework renovation
- Ceramics
- Ferrous metals such as wrought iron, mild steel and stainless steel
- Non-ferrous metals including copper, aluminium and bronze
- Neoprene, nitrile and other types of rubber
Sectors
We have environmentally limescale removal experience in the following sectors:
- Industrial boiler and heat exchanger refurbishment
- Urinal and other sanitary ceramic restoration
- Heritage building brickwork
- Architectural stonework renovation
- Commercial and private swimming pool cleaning
- Cladding cleaning
- Removal of limescale from guttering and down pipe failure (plus gutter and pipework repairs)
The list is by no means exhaustive – why not challenge us with your difficult limescale problem?
Contact APT now on 0800 0723 773 for a no-obligation chat about your soda blasting needs and to find out how we can benefit your cleaning requirements. We carry out a full risk assessment prior to starting and ensure that the project conforms to Health and Safety regulations.