Happy Holidays from Wickens Dry Ice Blasting

Happy Holidays from Wickens Dry Ice Blasting

by | Dec 18, 2019

Blog

Happy Holidays from Wickens Dry Ice Blasting

The team at Wickens Dry Ice Blasting wants to wish you a holiday season filled with joy and laughter. We wish you prosperity in the coming year and look forward to working with you in 2020!

Holiday Hours
December 25th: Closed
December 26th: Closed
January 1st: Closed

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

by | Dec 12, 2019

Blog

History and Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

History and Usage of Dry Ice BlastingDry Ice Blasting is now recognised as the foremost solution for the industry to maximise production capability and quality. The process uses similar principles to other intense cleaning methods including sand and soda blasting whereby particles are accelerated via pressurised stream towards a surface to remove dirt and residue. However, unlike these traditional methods, dry ice blasting is multi-purpose and can be used in even the most sensitive of environments including food manufacturing. Furthermore, dry ice blasting is regarded as the environmentally friendly alternative for such cleaning and it helps that in most cases no disassembly of the surrounding structures is required.

How Did It Come About?

The first record of dry ice is attributed to French chemist Thilorier in 1835. He witnessed the appearance of solid CO2 – dry ice – at the bottom of a container which had housed liquid carbon dioxide. Thereafter the material was subjected to years of laboratory testing without any specific uses identified.

In 1892, a doctor in the British Army was granted a patent for solidification of carbon dioxide. His aim was to make soda water to mix with his whiskey but found the cylinders too heavy to carry. The dry ice was not used in the mainstream for this purpose as it would sublimate into gas before all of it was used.

Commercial Usage of Dry Ice Blasting

Commercial usage of dry ice blastingCommercial use of dry ice started in 1925 in the fire extinguisher field, moving onto the rail network to insulate railroad cars. Products that realised the benefits of dry ice included ice cream, and frozen foods, particularly by Birdseye frozen foods that set up in 1931.

However, it wasn’t until 1986 when dry ice blasting was considered an option for industrial cleaning. It was in this year that pioneers of dry ice blasting officially opened their first production plant to develop what was then simply an idea. Through the ‘90s, continued research and development produced robust and efficient technology that was practical and provided value for money.

Over the years the dry ice cleaning method has evolved into two systems; dual hose and single hose systems. Both systems will provide optimal cleaning results, but a single hose proves better for dealing with stubborn and heavier debris and also allows for the operator to be at a greater distance from the actual operation taking place. There is also the added choice of whether to use dry ice pellets or shaved dry ice blocks. Much like the differences between the dual and single hose options, shaved particles are recommended for intricate, confined areas while pellets work better for resistant contaminants.

We Can Help With Fire Restoration

If you’re facing the aftermath of a fire, contact us for professional cleanup services. Our team of professionals are experienced in cleaning industrial and commercial structures and production and plant equipment, and our work meets the highest industry standards.

Our mobile fleet is ready to tackle the toughest jobs in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Windsor, Barrie, and Northern Ontario. Contact us today to see how we can help with your fire restoration needs.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

You Might Also Like:
• Check out Our New Case Study: Using Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Economizer Piping
• Check out Our New Case Study: Toronto Condo Fire Restoration
• Check out Our New Case Study: Subway Restaurant Fire Restoration

 

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Why Fire Restoration and Clean-Up is Best Left to Professionals

Why Fire Restoration and Clean-Up is Best Left to Professionals

by | Oct 30, 2019

Blog

Why Fire Restoration and Clean-Up is Best Left to Professionals

While the damage caused by fire is devastating, the greatest challenge isn’t always the loss of property, but actually lays in the clean-up process.

If you’re considering cleaning up smoke and fire damage by yourself, think again. Walking into a building after a fire could put your life and health in danger. For instance, fire often causes unseen damage that compromises the structure and stability of a building. That’s why police and fire services spent two days assessing the security and safety of Notre Dame Cathedral after a structural fire broke out in April 2019. Toxic fumes can accumulate in the floors and walls, and can go undetected due to the overwhelming smell of fire. In addition to the health risks, cleaning up after fire damage is an incredibly complex process.

Fire Cleaning is a Job for Professionals

You can’t just walk in with general cleaning equipment and expect to clean up after a fire. Fire restoration and cleaning are tasks best left to professionals. A professional restoration company will send out an experienced crew to quickly remove the ash, water, and smoke residue that poses a threat to everything in the building.

Restoration professionals have access to state-of-the-art tools and techniques that get the job done right the first time. They also know exactly how to assess and avoid the potential for harm while repairing damaged and weakened structures.

Dry Ice Blasting is a Superior Fire Cleaning Technique

After a fire, you don’t necessarily need to replace everything in the building. Dry ice blasting is an effective fire restoration technique that helps prevent you from having to replace structural components such as wood and masonry. Dry ice blasting is a gentle, safe, and non-toxic way to remove fire residue from even the smallest and most difficult to reach areas.

We Can Help with Fire Restoration

If you’re facing the aftermath of a fire, contact us for professional cleanup services. Our team of professionals are experienced in cleaning industrial and commercial structures and production and plant equipment, and our work meets the highest industry standards.

Our mobile fleet is ready to tackle the toughest jobs in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Burlington, Windsor, Barrie, and Northern Ontario. Contact us today to see how we can help with your fire restoration needs.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

You Might Also Like:
• Check out Our New Case Study: Using Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Economizer Piping
• Check out Our New Case Study: Toronto Condo Fire Restoration
• Check out Our New Case Study: Subway Restaurant Fire Restoration

The Wickens Team
Latest posts by The Wickens Team (see all)

Check out Our New Case Study: Using Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Economizer Piping

Check out Our New Case Study: Using Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Economizer Piping

by | Sep 12, 2019

Blog

Check out Our New Case Study: Using Dry Ice Blasting to Clean Economizer Piping

Our client in Alberta referenced in this case study is highly dependant on its economizer to maximize energy efficiency and reduce costs associated with powering critical equipment. It works by reducing air conditioning costs using outside air to provide free cooling. As a result, the compressor has less demand, which lowers overhead costs and extends the useful life of the equipment.

While our client performs regular cleaning on its economizers as part of its preventative maintenance plan, when the fins on the tubes of the economizer get dirty, deposits build up and they become far less efficient. Our client recognized that the traditional cleaning methods they’ve been using can be messy, time-consuming, and impractical. As such, they decided to try Wickens Dry Ice Blasting.

Read the full case study here to learn more about how we used Dry Ice Blasting to clean our clients economizers.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Check out Our New Case Study: Toronto Condo Fire Restoration

Check out Our New Case Study: Toronto Condo Fire Restoration

by | Jul 15, 2019

Blog

Check out Our New Case Study: Toronto Condo Fire Restoration

before and after condo fire restorationA fire in a Toronto condo building displaced residents from their homes and caused damage to both the interior unit and the building exterior, even affecting nearby balconies with smoke damage. The restoration company in charge of the project called in the professionals at Wickens Dry Ice Blasting to deal with the extensive fire damage.

Wickens was able to restore the condominium building with a quick turnaround, allowing residents to return home and removing all evidence of the fire from the interior and exterior.

Read the full case study here to learn more about the fire restoration process and results.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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The Wickens Team
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Check out Our New Case Study: Subway Restaurant Fire Restoration

Check out Our New Case Study: Subway Restaurant Fire Restoration

by | May 14, 2019

Blog

Check out Our New Case Study: Subway Restaurant Fire Restoration

When a fire leaves a business unable to function, it’s crucial to call in the experts to restore the damaged areas and get back to serving customers as quickly as possible. That’s why a restoration company called the professionals at Wickens after a Subway restaurant in Burlington experienced serious fire damage.

A light dry ice blasting was performed on the walls, followed by a spray application of smoke seal with BIN white shellac primer.

Read the full case study here to learn more about the fire restoration process and results.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Check out Our New Case Study: Via Rail Fire Restoration & Prevention

Check out Our New Case Study: Via Rail Fire Restoration & Prevention

by | Mar 25, 2019

Blog

Check out Our New Case Study: Via Rail Fire Restoration & Prevention

Inside the Via Rail maintenance centre in Toronto.Via Rail connects Canada from coast to coast—so it’s crucial to keep trains running safely and efficiently. After an incident involving an exhaust vent that caught fire, Via Rail called in the professionals at Wickens Dry Ice Blasting to restore the area and provide preventive cleaning to avoid similar issues in the future.

Wickens was able to mobilize quickly with multiple crews and equipment, providing fire restoration and preventive cleaning with minimal downtime.

Here are some of the key takeaways from this fire restoration project:

  1. Conditions giving rise to catastrophes can be mitigated by regular maintenance cleaning.
  2. Ongoing maintenance prevents unscheduled costly shutdowns.
  3. Secondary waste is a serious consideration on every job. Knowledge of how to contain, capture and properly dispose is of the utmost importance.
  4. Contractors have to safely work around the site without compromising lighting, movement, fire suppression, ingress, and egress.
  5. Failure to comply with M.O.E and risk management policies puts companies at peril.
  6. Competent technicians working at heights on aerial platforms and in confined spaces are required to ensure a thorough job is completed.

Read the full case study here to learn more.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Welcome to Our New Website!

Welcome to Our New Website!

by | Feb 19, 2019

Blog

Welcome to Our New Website!

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting is excited to announce the launch of our new website. If you’ve already had a chance to look around, you’ll notice some big changes.

We’ve redesigned our site to update our overall look and reorganized to help you better find what you’re looking for. Our comprehensive new site will allow you to find the information you need quickly and help to fulfill your industrial cleaning and restoration needs.

Our Services page outlines the wide range of projects Wickens can complete for residential and commercial structures, including fire restoration, mould remediation, lead paint abatement, and more.

To learn more about the variety of cleaning techniques we use for different projects, visit our Techniques page. Some of the methods we use include dry ice blasting, abrasive blasting, and vapour blasting.

The Industries page highlights some of the types of companies we work with. Whether you’re in the restoration, electrical power generation, mining, or other industry, we can come up with a cleaning solution for you.

If you’re interested in using your own man power to complete a dry ice blasting job, take a look at our selection of equipment for sale and rent.

As you explore the site, check out our new blog that will cover a variety of topics related to cleaning and restoration, from tips on dealing with issues like fire damage and mould to case studies on projects we’ve completed.

We hope you find our new site informative and easy to use!

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Fire Damage? The Clock Is Ticking

Fire Damage? The Clock Is Ticking

by | Jan 25, 2019

Blog

Fire Damage? The Clock Is Ticking

Dealing with smoke and fire damage is something you hope to never go through. Once the fire has been extinguished, it’s important to start the cleanup process as quickly as possible. Whether it’s a residential or industrial environment, the damage caused by a fire starts to set in immediately and only gets worse if left untouched.

A Timeline of Fire Damage

Here’s a quick guide outlining what can happen after a fire:

  • Within Minutes: Soot starts to turn plastic yellow, porous materials like marble and alabaster can become permanently discoloured, small appliances that were close to the fire become discoloured.
  • Within Hours: Uncoated metals can tarnish, countertops can yellow, soot residue stains grout in bathrooms, fiberglass bath fixtures can yellow, furniture finishes can become discoloured, and finishes on appliances such as fridges can yellow.
  • Within Days: Acidic soot residue causes wall paint to become permanently yellowed, wood furniture will require refinishing, clothing becomes stained with soot, upholstery becomes permanently stained, vinyl flooring requires refinishing or replacement, and metal can corrode, pit, and rust.
  • Within Weeks: After weeks have passed and the damage has set in, the cost of fire restoration rises significantly. Silver becomes permanently corroded, synthetic carpeting can yellow or become permanently discoloured, and glass, china, and crystal may be severely etched and pitted due to the acidic soot residue.

Following a fire, acting quickly will help to reduce the damage and associated costs, and provide the best chance for a successful restoration.

Why Use Dry Ice Blasting for Fire Damage?

For quick recovery from fire damage or smoke damage, dry ice blasting is the most effective approach. It provides a rapid turnaround, saving you money by restoring instead of replacing. Restoring indoor brick, outdoor stone, and even brick paint removal is accomplished with this safe and non-toxic cleaning solution.

Fire restoration services can include:

  • De-charring/Blast Cleaning
  • Dry ice blasting
  • Soda blasting
  • Media blasting
  • Manual clean up
  • Vacuuming
  • Fogging
  • Deodorizing
  • Smoke seal

Leave it to the Professionals

Don’t try to deal with smoke and fire damage on your own. Call experienced fire restoration professionals who can respond quickly to minimize the damage and get the structure back to its original condition.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!

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Why You Shouldn’t Deal with Mould on Your Own

Why You Shouldn’t Deal with Mould on Your Own

by | Jan 10, 2019

Blog

Why You Shouldn’t Deal with Mould on Your Own

It’s always a concern to find evidence of mould in your home or business. Mould can cause serious health issues to inhabitants as well as damage to surfaces if left untreated, so it’s important to deal with it as quickly as possible.

Dealing with mould on your own can be dangerous and ineffective. Here’s why it’s always best to leave mould remediation to the professionals.

It’s a Health Hazard

Being around mould can be a hazard to your health, especially if you come into contact with it or breathe it in. Industry professionals have the right protective gear to stay safe and minimize the risks of dealing with mould, including proper disposal of the toxic substance.

Home Remedies like Bleach Don’t Work

Mould requires proper, direct treatment in order to remove existing spores. Contrary to popular belief, cleaning with bleach doesn’t actually kill the mould – as soon as it’s sprayed, the mould goes into defense mode and releases spores into the air. Furthermore, wiping the mould only spreads the spores around. Even if it appears that the mould is gone, spores are likely to take root and come right back.

Achieve a Long-Term Solution

Professional cleaning services such as dry ice blasting draw out moisture from surfaces to prevent future mould issues. Future growth is inhibited by removing any matter that can support growth, resulting in a long-term solution to mould rather than a temporary fix.

Work with a Reputable Mould Remediation Expert

When evaluating providers of mould remediation services, look for a company with extensive experience and expertise in the industry. Your home or business is one of your most important assets—protect it by calling the professionals.

Wickens Dry Ice Blasting tackles the toughest jobs across Ontario, offering fire restoration, mould remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint abatement, and more. Contact us today for a consultation or emergency service!
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• Fire Damage? The Clock Is Ticking

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