Sandblasting, Grit Blasting, Abrasive Blasting, Shot Blasting and Aggregate Cleaning Services in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Across the UK
Learn more about our sandblasting and specialist aggregate façade cleaning and paint removal solutions.
Sandblasting and aggregate cleaning are very similar. In both practices, a surface such as concrete will have small particles blown at it at high speeds to remove dirt or stains. This method is popular for a number of reasons, including that it doesn’t use water and therefore is easier (in some cases) to clean up. Sandblasting can also smooth down rough surfaces as the particles wear down uneven areas.
Why sandblasting?
As the name suggests, sandblasting used to use sand to clean. Now, sand is less common because there are so many better materials out there, like plastics and fine glass. To sandblast, you’ll need a sandblasting gun. This looks a little bit like a drill, and spits out a fast stream of material. It can be used on metal to clean off rust and oxidised marks. Some people refer to sandblasting as ‘abrasive blasting’: they’re the same.
What is grit blasting?
Grit blasting is very similar and can also be used on different metals. It is sometimes called ‘shot blasting’. The type of grit used can vary from different types of silicone to ground walnut shell. When a surface has been grit blasted it can be welded better or be painted over, giving the paint a smoother, cleaner and longer lasting hold.
Grit and sandblasting are good ways to keep aggregate concrete clean. This is a popular method of paving for many gardens and driveways as it is both pretty and cheap. The smaller particles in the grit and sand help clean out the smaller, harder to reach crevices and make this a popular and reliable method. It can also stop small plants and moss from rooting too well in the aggregate.
Innovative soft swirling abrasive and light sandblast building cleaning
Technical fabric advice, evidence-based support or a fresh perspective! Talk to Us Today.
A complete building façade cleaning and paint stripping solution for internal and external building restoration with methodologies that align and comply with British Standards 8221-1:2012: Code of practice for cleaning and surface repair of buildings.
We clean and restore a variety of buildings to support your vision whilst ensuring the building is protected for the future.
Light abrasive cleaning
If your building cleaning project requires some gentle abrasion, Building Transformation can help you to select the most appropriate aggregate method for your building, soiling type, level, or paint. VorTech is a ‘swirl-abrasive’ system, borne out of the “Jos” technology, originally developed in Germany, in the 1980s. The VorTech is our go-to solution for light aggregate cleaning, as it allows us to clean your building sensitively and efficiently.
Sandblasting
Certain situations call for a more abrasive method of cleaning to achieve the desired result. This is where blast cleaning and stripping comes in. Delivered at high speed through a hose and nozzle, abrasive material and compressed air hits the surface with a punch, stripping away stubborn rust, dirt, varnish, paint and coatings with ease. This method is ideal for preparing surfaces for recoating or painting, or simply for removing years (or centuries) of dirt accumulation on aged brickwork.
Onsite facade cleaning test trials are essential in creating pre-project clarity and cost certainty, this process enables us to collectively build greater understanding. First, we always seek to understand why you are looking to restore your building façade, this will enable us to build a clear vision of how we can help you whilst working within any listed building, conservation guidelines, planning issues or restrictions. Methods of cleaning are reviewed, risk and limitations of each method discussed so you understand what results you can achieve from your project.
Our services
Our sandblasting services can be used on the following:
- Stone
- Brick
- Timber
- Steel
- Flooring
- Beams
- Graffiti
- Residential properties
- Industrial properties
- Commercial properties
- Heritage properties
Our light abrasive cleaning services can be used on the following:
- Paints, dirt & carbon
- Graffiti, street art or pollution
- Stone, brick, timber
- Steel, columns and structures
- Residential properties, industrial properties
- Commercial properties, heritage properties and monuments
Echo Arena
The work provided by Building Transformation was excellent. Their product and building exteriors knowledge is detailed, comprehensive and practically applied to the client’s needs. They offer a professional, detailed, high-quality and customer- focused service which meets the short, medium and long-term needs of the client, and provides practical, cost-realistic advice.
Carillion Amey
Customer service is paramount to Building Transformation and they invested vast amounts of time in providing me with a programme to facilitate what was a very complex and time-specific programme of work for the site. The quality and level of support provided by Building Transformation is priceless to any client/contractor.
Echo Arena
The work provided by Building Transformation was excellent. Their product and building exteriors knowledge is detailed, comprehensive and practically applied to the client’s needs. They offer a professional, detailed, high-quality and customer-focused service which meets the short, medium and long-term needs of the client, and provides practical, cost-realistic advice.
Land Securities
A 200,000 sq. ft., four-storey leisure venue in the heart of Nottingham city centre surrounded by major traffic routes needed work to be done overnight. The Building Transformation staff were flexible and able to work around dynamic operational issues completing the project within three weeks.
May & Co
May & Co have worked with Building Transformation on a number of projects which have included external building cleaning and refurbishment. They provided a great service, supported by the high level of documentation from the initial quotation to books and industry-related guidance, all relevant to our project.
Broadgate Estates Ltd.
I am using Building Transformation’s work to help justify façade restoration works around our business. They have produced excellent presentations on what can be achieved and is a brilliant piece of informed marketing that is helping win people over in our business to take façade cleaning and restoration more seriously.
Edward Cooper Young
Building Transformation is always mindful of the environments they are working in and take the time to understand the restrictions of each site; whether they be physical or due to the client’s day to day activities. They are extremely proactive and ensure that any issues are flagged to a client immediately, and when doing so always make sure a solution is provided. I couldn’t recommend Building Transformation more highly.
Novotel Sheffield
I had a walk around today with Dave and am impressed with the work so far. Dave and the team have done a great job.
I’d certainly love to work with you in the future so perhaps before the job is completed we could look at what opportunities there are for the future.
Novotel Leeds
At this stage, from my point of view your team has been extremely professional, informing us of what was happening at all times and most importantly no disruption whatsoever to our guests and business.
Renaker
The team at Building Transformation understood our challenge of finding a facade cleaning solution that would initially restore the glazing to its original state, protecting our building for years to come. Through intelligent and thorough testing right through to the full restoration of Block D, we have been very satisfied with the project management and delivery of the cleaning programme.
ACC, Liverpool
The work that was provided by company Building Transformation was excellent. Their product and building exteriors knowledge is detailed, comprehensive and practically applied to the client’s needs. Professional, detailed, high quality and customer focused service which meets the short, medium and long terms needs of client’s issues and provides practical, cost realistic advice. .