Dry blasting on concrete

Dry blasting is a widely used method of surface preparation that uses compressed air to propel abrasive material at high speed onto a surface. This removes coatings, contamination, and degraded material, leaving a clean and properly profiled substrate.

Unlike wet blasting, the process uses no water, making it efficient and suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly where a dry surface is required for follow-on works. In this instance (as shown above), we carried out dry blasting to remove carbonisation from a concrete structure. Carbonisation can weaken the surface of concrete and increase the risk of corrosion within the reinforcement, so removing it is a key step before any repair or coating system is applied.

The blasting process allowed us to strip back the affected surface, expose sound concrete beneath, and create a suitable profile for further treatment.

This is a good example of how dry blasting can be used not just for cleaning, but for restoring and preparing concrete to ensure long-term performance.