Services
40,000 PSI Ultra-High Pressure Water Blasting
Pure water at extreme pressure — removes coatings, rust, and contamination without abrasives, dust, or media disposal.
Services
Pure water at extreme pressure — removes coatings, rust, and contamination without abrasives, dust, or media disposal.
Ultra-high pressure (UHP) water blasting uses pure water at 40,000 PSI — roughly 2,700 times atmospheric pressure — to remove coatings, rust, mill scale, and surface contamination. No abrasive media is introduced. The water pressure alone does the work, then runs off the surface carrying removed material with it.
Because there is no abrasive, there is no media to contain, collect, and dispose of. There is no silica dust. There is no abrasive embedment in the substrate. The surface is left clean, wet, and free of loose material — ready for inspection and coating application once dry.
UHP water blasting prepares surfaces to SSPC-SP WJ standards (Water Jetting): WJ-1 through WJ-4, depending on the pressure, dwell time, and surface condition. It is a recognized SSPC/NACE surface preparation method specified on bridge, tank, industrial facility, and marine projects where abrasive blasting is restricted or impractical.
| 40,000 PSI Water Blasting | Abrasive Blasting | |
|---|---|---|
| Media / abrasive | None — pure water only | Steel grit, garnet, sand, coal slag |
| Dust generation | None | Significant — containment required |
| Silica exposure risk | None | Present with silica-containing media |
| Media disposal | None | Spent media must be collected and disposed |
| Anchor profile creation | Does not create new profile | Creates anchor profile for coatings |
| Near-water use | Yes — water is the media | Restricted — containment required |
| SSPC cleanliness standard | SSPC-SP WJ-1 through WJ-4 | SSPC-SP 5, SP-10, SP-6, SP-7 |
| Flash rust risk | Present — inhibitors may be required | Lower on dry surfaces |
| Lead paint removal | Preferred — no airborne dust | Requires full respiratory and containment |
All visible rust, coatings, and foreign matter removed. Surface appears clean, with only tightly adherent material permitted.
At least 95% of each unit area free of all visible residues. Staining limited to 5% of each unit area.
At least two-thirds of each unit area free of all visible residues. Random staining allowed on remainder.
Loose rust, coatings, and foreign matter removed. Tightly adherent rust and coatings may remain.
Note: UHP water blasting does not create a new anchor profile on bare steel the way abrasive blasting does. On previously coated surfaces with an existing profile, water blasting preserves that profile. On bare steel with no existing profile, a flash inhibitor and appropriate primer selection are necessary. Consult your coating manufacturer's technical data sheet for surface prep requirements.
Bridge decks, fascia beams, and structural steel where abrasive containment over water or roadways is restricted. UHP water blasting removes deteriorated coatings and rust while meeting environmental requirements for near-water work.
Tank lining prep where abrasive contamination of vessel interiors is unacceptable — food-grade silos, chemical storage vessels, and water tanks. Water blasting removes failed linings and corrosion without abrasive residue.
Parking garage decks, industrial floors, and secondary containment areas prepared for epoxy coatings and overlays. Water blasting removes existing coatings and opens the concrete surface without abrasive dust.
Hull and ballast tank surface preparation where abrasive blasting near open water is restricted. Water blasting removes marine growth, failed coatings, and corrosion products on steel hull sections.
Refineries, chemical plants, and process facilities where abrasive contamination of process equipment or drain systems cannot be tolerated. UHP removes coatings from piping, vessels, and structural steel in sensitive environments.
Deteriorated lead-based paint on steel structures, bridges, and industrial equipment removed without generating airborne lead dust. Water blasting keeps removed material wet, reducing airborne exposure risk.
No. UHP water blasting removes coatings and corrosion but does not abrade the substrate to create a new anchor profile the way abrasive blasting does. On steel with an existing profile from a prior blast, water blasting preserves that profile. On bare steel with no profile, a zinc-rich primer or other primer compatible with low-profile steel is typically required, or the surface is abrasive-blasted after water blasting if a profile is needed.
Flash rust on bare steel after water blasting is managed with flash rust inhibitors added to the water, or by priming quickly after blasting. Coating manufacturer technical data sheets typically specify acceptable flash rust levels (none, light, medium) and compatible primers. We coordinate with the coating applicator on timing and inhibitor use.
Yes, with appropriate water containment and drainage. Because there is no airborne dust or abrasive, UHP water blasting is usable in environments where abrasive blasting would be excluded. Water management — collection, routing, and disposal — is the primary site management concern.
Yes. SSPC-SP WJ-1 through WJ-4 are established SSPC/NACE standards for water jetting surface preparation. Many coating manufacturers include water jetting as an approved surface preparation method in their technical data sheets. Always verify the specific standard and cleanliness level required by your coating spec.
Pressure washing typically operates at 1,000–4,000 PSI — enough to clean a surface but not remove bonded coatings or dense rust. UHP water blasting at 40,000 PSI operates at 10–40x higher pressure, generating the kinetic energy to cut through and remove rust, multiple layers of coating, and tightly adherent contaminants. They are not interchangeable for surface preparation purposes.