Pressure washing is one of the effective methods of removing dirt even from hard-to-reach places, such as pipes. What does washing pipe installations involve and what equipment will be necessary?
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What is pressure pipe cleaning?
One of the techniques for thorough cleaning of pipes is pressure washing. It allows for effective removal of sediments, corrosion, grease and other impurities that can negatively affect the patency of the system. In the cleaning process, water is introduced into the system under high pressure. Special equipment is necessary to perform the work, because in order to effectively remove impurities, pressure of even 100 to 300 bar may be necessary.
Cleaning pipe systems requires the use of special nozzles, which, when inserted into the pipe, allow the water stream to be directed at different angles. High water pressure allows for the development of larger contaminants and their removal outside the system. It is worth knowing that high water pressure helps to unclog even large blockages, which actually affect the deterioration of permeability.
The great advantage of pressure pipe cleaning is that the method can be successfully used to clean sewage, industrial pipes, rainwater systems, and home installations. Pressure cleaning can be carried out both as a preventive measure and in the event of an emergency, when quick unclogging is necessary.
The technique is characterized by high effectiveness. It is a safe solution that also allows you to take care of the natural environment, because ordinary water is used for cleaning, without any chemical additives. As a result of a properly conducted pressure washing process, complete permeability can be restored in the pipe system.
What equipment is used for pressure cleaning?
Properly performing pressure cleaning of pipes requires proper preparation. The basis is specialist equipment that allows you to generate high pressure of a water jet. These are high-pressure units to which special equipment is connected, including: cleaning hoses and nozzles. It should be noted that these are special elements designed to facilitate cleaning of pipes.
High-pressure units are the most important device, without which cleaning will be ineffective. Generating high water pressure is possible thanks to a water pump, which pumps water under high pressure. Depending on the needs, devices are used in which the pressure value is regulated in the range of several dozen to even several hundred bars. The engines of the units are powered by electricity or appropriate fuel, so they can be used anywhere. Even where access to electricity is limited.
The selection of the appropriate pressure depends mainly on the type of installation that is to be cleaned. In the case of sewage systems, devices providing pressure of 100 to 400 bar are usually used, while in the case of industrial installations it may be necessary to use devices with even higher power.
A characteristic element of pressure pipe cleaning equipment are also hoses and nozzles. These elements must be characterized by high resistance and durability to high pressure. Hoses are made of flexible, solid materials, thanks to which they can be successfully used even for a long time. It is perfect for unclogging blockages, removing dirt even at great depths. In the case of nozzles, we can distinguish:
- turbo-nozzles, i.e. so-called rotary nozzles;
- directional nozzles;
- swelling nozzles;
- specialized nozzles.
The right choice of nozzles allows you to clean any system. The variant is selected depending on the type of surface being cleaned and the type of contamination that needs to be dealt with. The type is therefore selected individually to the needs of a given order. Pressure washers allow you to reach hard-to-reach places and clean them properly.
How to properly pressure wash pipes?
To effectively remove dirt and blockages, industrial pressure washers that are very durable will be necessary. An ordinary high-pressure washer, without specialist ones, may not cope in more difficult conditions, such as external sewage , water supply networks and connections or other large installations.
The first step is to prepare the equipment, including a brush with a matching nozzle, as well as a suitable, flexible hose adapted to difficult conditions. Due to the specifics of the work, it is necessary to take care of appropriate protective clothing, especially if pressure cleaning of sewage or installations used in industry will be carried out. It is worth adding that PE water pipes can also be washed with a pressure washer.
The pressure washer cleaning process itself requires the nozzle to be inserted into the pipe system. Then, the device is activated, responsible for introducing water at an appropriately set pressure, depending on the type of installation and whether the task is preventive cleaning or removing blockages. After starting the pump, the hose should be gently moved inwards, directing the nozzles at the pipe surfaces, which allows the system to be cleaned of dirt, rust and other problematic elements.
After finishing the work using the washer, it is necessary to check whether the use of pressure washing brought the expected effect and the system has been properly unclogged. If so, you can turn off the device by very gently removing the cable from the pipe. After finishing the washing, it is also necessary to check whether the pressure washing has not damaged the pipes or equipment.