Cleaning Formwork with Ultra High Pressure Water Blasting
Various methods are possible for the removal of concrete residue from formwork, ranging from manual or mechanical brush cleaning to hammering off encrusted residue, to cleaning with ultra-high-pressure water jet devices. The highest-pressure water jet is the most effective, most flexible, fastest and, at the same time, gentlest method. The combination of water pressure, flow, and water tools effectively remove even the most stubborn hard residues. This method is particularly flexible, since it can be adapted to suit the formwork material properties and amount of residue build-up.
Formwork is widely used within the construction industry. Frames and facing material have to be regularly cleaned and checked for defects in order to prevent unwanted pores, blowholes and cavities from forming. This is where ultra-high-pressure water jet technology comes in: the water tools, pressure and flow can be adjusted according to how much residue must be cleaned off the formwork, saving you time and effort. This delivers excellent cleaning results without any damage to the formwork itself.
If formwork is not cleaned or treated with a separating agent for an extended period of time, it is almost impossible to re-use. In this case, the facing material has to be replaced. Regular cleaning is therefore particularly important when using formwork for longer projects. Many users neglect to do this because of time constraints – ultimately resulting in more time and effort spent on reworking the set concrete and more money spent on final cleaning and repairs.
WOMA ultra-high-pressure jet systems are ideal for cleaning formwork:
- Removal of tough, hardened concrete residue
- Cleaning of facing concrete surfaces
- Fast cleaning of fresh concrete
Features/Advantages
- 4 x faster than manual way with hammer, scratch, brush, grinding
- Easy to handle
- Safer compared to other methods and less stress on the operator
- Cleans effectively and gently
- Pressure adjustable to adapt different surfaces
- No surface damages
- Longer use of formwork
- Environmentally friendly
Formwork refers to the temporary or permanent mold that wet concrete is poured into to create its desired shape. It is widely used within the construction industry, with jobs ranging from creating concrete stairs to forming circular columns, ground beams, tunnels, and walls. In order to support the concrete, it has to be extremely strong, and it can be made from metals such as steel or aluminum.
When companies reuse their formwork panels, leftover concrete can create an uneven surface that affects the appearance of the next structure.