Water Jetting Technology

Jetters are mostly used for hydro cleaning. Hydrocleaning is defined as the use of water propelled at a very high speed to clean surfaces. The force generated from water jetters can remove stains, paint and dirt from walls, highways, runways and concrete.

To standardize cleaning operations and surface preparation specifications, the Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) has adopted the following four definitions for cleaning operations using water jetting technology:

• Low-pressure water cleaning (LP WC) - water pressure is less than 5,000 psi (34 MPa).
• High-pressure water cleaning (HP WC) is the use of water pressure between 5,000 to 10,000 psi (34 to 70 MPa) for cleaning.
• High-pressure water jetting (HP WJ) is the use of water pressure between 10,000 to 25,000 psi (70 to 170 MPa) for cleaning.
• Ultrahigh-pressure water jetting is the use of pressures above 25,000 (170 MPa) for cleaning.

Water jetting equipment should be checked before using it. Be sure that the equipment is functioning properly with no signs of wear. The area where the work should be carried out should also be checked. Check if there is a blockage on a drainage system or broken pipes. If the work is carried on a public place, be sure that people are on a safe distance.

After making all security checks and making sure it is safe to proceed, water jetter should be connected to a water supply. Choose the appropriate nozzle and make sure it is securely connected to the lance. Direct the water jetter towards the surface that needs to be cleaned or to areas that need unblocking.

It takes a lot of skill to operate this kind of equipment. Only trained workers and professional should carry out this kind of work.

Water jetters use high pressure (HP) jet equipment to clean the surfaces of:

• paving slabs
• patios
• concrete surfaces
• marble
• brickwork
• road surfaces
• walls and buildings
• vehicles

High pressure hydrocleaning equipment is also used for:

• cleaning drains and sewers
• industrial descaling and desilting
• boiler tube cleaning
• cleaning inside cooling towers
• removing water and debris from manholes
• concrete removal from bridges or road surfaces

Ultra High pressure (UHP) water jetters operate at an extremely high pressure and can be used to cut through steel. They are also used for:

• cold-cutting pipes and tank plates
• removing oil, paint and food by-product residues.
• the removal of surface coatings
• cleaning and cutting by marine chemical companies.