Dry-ice blasting is rapidly becoming the preferred method of cleaning wood in the restoration industry due to its unparalleled results and  timesavings when compared to the usual methods of sanding or scraping with a wire brush. This innovative cleaning process is gaining momentum in the field of mold remediation, fire restoration, and historic building restoration for its ability to thoroughly clean surfaces like wood, metal, or masonry, while leaving no additional waste to attend to.
Dry-ice blasting allows the contractor to restore the contaminated building faster than any other method. Therefore, the displacement costs experienced by the insurance company are greatly reduced.
Speeding up Restoration
Two major benefits of dry-ice blasting are the better preservation of building materials and speed of compilation. Conventional cleaning methods require the contractor to manually sand, scrape, or wire brush the mold or smoke damage from contaminated surfaces. Dry-ice blasting results in the complete removal of contaminants from these surfaces in less time than any other method, and preserves the contaminated wood better than conventional cleaning methods.
A Biocide Isn't the Complete Solution
With regard to mold remediation, it is important to note that applying a biocide to a contaminated surface to kill the mold does not replace the need for an effective cleaning. The allergens in mold are not always being eliminated with a biocide, rendering dead mold as allergenic and in need of removal. Typically, enough spores are left behind that if the moisture problem is not corrected, the mold will re-grow in time.
In addition, these biocides are typically registered pesticides and are potentially harmful to those using them. The EPA and OSHA do not recommend routine use of bleach or other biocides in mold remediation. To eliminate the allergenic properties associated with mold, it is necessary to remove it from the contaminated surface. This can be done with the traditional method of sanding and scraping, or with the more thorough and more efficient option of dry-ice blasting. Dry-ice evaporates completely as a gas, so only the mold being removed must be disposed of.
How it Works
With regard to cleaning a wood surface, dry-ice blasting works somewhat like sandblasting or high-pressure water blasting, but with superior results, as there will be no media residue to clean up at the completion of the project.
Dry-ice blasting will typically remove about 3 percent of the wood's surface being cleaned, so it is using kinetic energy and a scrubbing action to clean. This blasting application effectively removes the contaminant, while rarely altering the structural integrity of the wood. Since there is no secondary waste stream to attend to, the only thing left to do is vacuum the residual contaminant and wood that was removed from the blasting.
Dry-ice blasting is a more efficient cleaning method than sanding or scraping. It is also better suited for mold remediation than any other type of blasting, such as sand blasting, water blasting, or soda blasting. Dry-ice blasting is a fresh approach to restoration and is currently being used by many remediators in various parts of the country. Its ability to clean surfaces thoroughly and efficiently is an irresistible alternative to sanding and scraping. Generally speaking, these blasting systems have reduced the time it takes to complete restoration projects.
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