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How we use the Hydroblaster to remove spills, dirt and deep clean

Roads and forecourts are susceptible to all kinds of contaminant spills, including oil, fuel, dirt, chemicals, and other debris. These spills could damage the bitumen content or asphalt of a surface if not removed quickly. Hydroblasting is the best solution for removing spills and dirt from surfaces and cleaning them thoroughly. It doesn’t just have to be road spills and dirt, either. Our hydroblasting technology can clean industrial equipment, machinery, boilers, and other hard surfaces where waste deposits lie. THB has a team of professional hydroblasting technicians who possess all the necessary health and safety accreditations required to perform this work on highways, roads, and other worksites. We take care of the entire spill and dirt removal process from beginning to end.   Here are the six steps we use to remove spills and dirt with our hydroblaster technology. 1) Install Roadblocks and Safety Barriers Oil or chemical spills create hazards for the general public. For this reason, installing temporary roadblocks and safety barriers is imperative to keep motorists and pedestrians away from the spill sites. THB has a traffic management team that takes fast action in setting up these barriers to preserve public safety. We always comply with all environmental regulations before, during, and after the spill removal procedure is executed.   2) Traffic Management The traffic control safety officers will guide the traffic on the road away from the spillage site if necessary. Additional traffic safety measures may get put in place during the clean-up procedure, including road closures, stop & go systems, pedestrian management, slip road closures, and other diversionary measures.   3) Hydroblasting Hydroblasting to remove oil or chemical spills requires 98-degree hot water pumping out at 30 litres per minute. Our engineers will mix an environmentally friendly detergent and foam with the hot water to create a viable cleaning solution for public surfaces. After that, the hydroblasting technicians will blast the spills with high-pressure water and push the spills to the side of the road.   4) Cleansing The surfaces must get cleansed immediately. So, the hydroblasting technicians will blast the tarmac with clean filtered water to rinse any debris particles from its surface. The goal is to make the road sparkly clean again.   5) Vacuuming Now we extract the oil, chemical, and debris from the roadside with our high-powered vacuum unit. It is powerful enough to safely and thoroughly remove the worst messes and spills from any hard surface. Our technicians will work diligently to ensure every particle and droplet of the spill is extracted from the roadside.   6) Cleaning Up The final step is removing our equipment and traffic signage and restoring the road to the public. The entire hydroblasting process of removing spills shouldn’t take more than two hours, depending on the size of the spill.   Contact Us Do you need to remove spills or dirt from your surfaces? Contact THB at 0800 0146 420 to learn more about our hydroblasting services and how they can help you remove dangerous or stubborn spills and dirt from surfaces.

How do we use the Hydroblaster to remove line markings?

THB has a team of road line removal specialists that uses hydroblasting technology to remove line markings from hard surfaces, such as roads and hard surfaces. We have engineers well-trained and equipped with the latest innovative hydroblaster technology for removing line markings quickly and safely from surfaces. Our hydroblaster service comes in handy if you need to remove skid marks and painted markings from roads. During the hydroblasting process, there is minimum disruption to surrounding traffic, and all nearby pedestrians remain safe. In addition, no strange odours, fumes, smoke, or chemicals emit from the hydroblasting process because it is a 100% water-based line marking removal solution. Below are the top 5 steps of how we use our hydroblaster to remove line markings from roads and surfaces. 1) Prepare Equipment Our hydroblasting equipment consists of a filtered water tank, high-powered vacuum, high-pressure pump, and hydroblaster unit. First, the THB engineers prepare the high-pressure pump and hydroblaster to ensure they are set up correctly and fully operational. After that, the filtered water tank is connected to the pump and hydroblaster.   2) Set up Traffic Management Removing line markings from roads requires planning and traffic management because roadblocks and signs have to be temporarily installed to warn motorists on the road. THB has traffic management professionals who work alongside our hydroblasting technicians to keep the worksite safe for everybody. The traffic managers will take specific actions to divert traffic away from the hydroblasting location, including lane closures, road closures, pedestrian management, temporary pedestrian crossings, variable message signage, stop & go systems, and the use of traffic safety control officers.   3) Hydroblast the Line Markings Now our hydroblasting technicians are ready to get to work. They will turn on the high-pressure pump and perform a low-volume hydroblasting action on the line markings on the road. No hazardous fumes or chemicals are emitted because it is 100% water-based. The technicians ensure the high-pressure pump doesn’t use too much water pressure to preserve the condition of the asphalt and road surfaces. Instead, we use just enough water pressure to remove the polymer line markups without causing any damage to the surfaces.   4) Vacuum the Leftover Polymer and Thermoplastic Debris The hydroblasting loosens the polymer and thermoplastic debris from the road surfaces. The next step is removing these debris particles from the surfaces with a special vacuum device. The technicians will use a high-powered vacuum to extract the debris particles from the road safely. This saves our client the trouble of cleaning up the debris particles themselves.   5) Clean Up We’ll rinse off the road one last time after the debris particles are extracted and prepare to release the road back to the public. Our traffic managers will remove all the signage and other temporary traffic management items from the roads and roadsides. When we’re done cleaning and packing up our equipment, the roads will look spotless with no markups whatsoever.   Contact Us Do you need to request a hydroblasting service to remove line markings from your roads or surfaces? Contact us at 0800 0146 420 for more information or to submit your service request today.

What Is High Friction Surfacing

High friction surfacing (Commonly referred to as anti-skid) is a material and installation process by which road surfaces become less prone to skidding and loss of friction. Through increasing skid resistance and reducing braking distance we can  reduce  the potential for accidents. Typical locations for high friction surfacing include – Road junctions Traffic Light approaches Pedestrian crossings Roundabouts Roads that have high accident levels Around ‘SLOW’ and speed roundels Pedestrianised areas Different surface colours can be used  to increase visibility for safety purposes. Since implementation, it has proven to be a highly successful method of road safety. Bold and bright colours are used to instruct or warn drivers when they need to slow down. HFS also possesses increased reflectivity over conventional road surfaces, allowing drivers and pedestrians to see the areas better at night. There are two types of high friction surfacing: hot applied and cold applied. Hot applied works by adhesion through heat application to the road surface whilst cold applied works by adhesion to the road through chemical bond. Although we provide both services, cold-applied systems are often preferred amongst local councils and authorities due to its increased hardwearing nature and resultant longevity. This is a more sustainable method as any excess material can be swept, collected, and used again. The cold-applied method uses a mixture of chemical components and one or more liquids to cover a surface. Another method that allows us to increase a road/surface anti skid properties is through retexturing. This is carried out through hydroblasting technology. Click here to see how we do this.   Certifications and Capabilities 60% of all our HFS operatives are accredited with Level 2 High Friction Surfacing qualifications. We also hold BBA certification which allows us to install high friction surfacing on all roads including highways. This allows clients to authenticate and specify suppliers for construction of their prospective projects. Being BBA certified ensures confidence for a client in the knowledge that we are not only  complying to UK standards but operating at the highest of standards when it comes to high friction installation.

Benefits of Hydroblasting

Hydroblasting is a safe and effective way to remove lines and debris from roads and hard surfaces. It also comes in handy when you need to re-texture asphalt and deep clean surfaces to ensure all the dirt particles are removed from the pores and cracks. The hydroblasting process involves spraying high-pressure concentrated water onto surfaces to remove the line markings, dirt, and debris covering them. The technicians come equipped with filtered water and a high-pressure pump to spray the water at an accelerated rate. The high-speed impact of the water knocks the markings and debris off the surface within minutes. Do you need to clean up a roadway or some other asphalt surface? If so, you should consider using our hydroblasting services.   Below are the top five benefits of hydroblasting for your surface cleaning project. 1) Low Volume Action Don’t worry about any loud roaring motors running the high-pressure pump. The hydroblasting system has a low volume operation to ensure that your neighbours and the public are not disturbed. So feel free to request a hydroblasting service during the day because the low-volume operation won’t bother anyone.   2) Waste Materials Are Removed Hydroblasting loosens the debris on hard surfaces, but they don’t necessarily make them disappear. That is why our technicians use a high-powered vacuum to extract the loose waste materials from the surface after the hydroblaster loosens them. Then you won’t need to clean them up or have the wind blow them onto your property.   3) No Property Damage The high-pressure pump can cause the water pressure to go as high as 40,000 psi. However, the high-pressure blasting won’t damage or affect the surface material. Our technicians will use the proper water pressure amount to eliminate all the line markings and debris from your surfaces without causing damage or residual effects.   4) No Dangerous or Hazardous Fumes Our modern hydroblasting system has an environmentally friendly design. As a result, no dangerous or hazardous fumes are produced or emitted during the hydroblasting operation. In addition, hydroblasting doesn’t produce any smoke either. If you need to hydroblast a road at night time, you can do so without endangering any of the surrounding drivers or pedestrians.   5) Filtered Water Good quality water is essential to use during the hydroblasting process. When you hire our professional hydroblasting service, your surfaces will get cleaned with 100% filtered water. That way, no contamination will get spread around and cause environmental problems. Filtered water is one more way hydroblasting is environmentally friendly. Your surfaces will be left looking spotless without any grime or residue left behind.    Contact a Professional Hydroblasting Service Provider Do you need to request a professional hydroblasting service in the United Kingdom? Call us at 0800 0146 420 to request a hydroblasting service today. THB serves clients in every county, whether you’re a local public official, commercial property owner, or residential property owner. Our technicians work fast and efficiently to deliver exemplary results to our clients. We know you will not be disappointed.

Why You Should Choose THB

THB is one of the largest and most reputable contractors in the United Kingdom. We offer a wide range of construction and property maintenance services, including civil engineering, road lining, road marking, surfacing, hydroblasting, telecoms, railways, drainage, and crack & joint sealing. We know there are many other contractors to choose from in the UK. However, THB is different because we have over 20 years of diverse experience in the industry. As a result, our range of specialties and skills is unmatched by our local and national competitors.   High-Quality Equipment High-quality maintenance services require the use of high-quality equipment. Our advanced equipment and specialised training make us the perfect company to maintain car parks, warehouses, factories, sports stadiums, playgrounds, estate roads, airfields, and any other location with hard surfaces. We have a large fleet of specialist vehicles, construction plants, paint applicators, and paint sprayers. Our professional workshops maintain this equipment and resources to ensure they are reliable for our work. We strive to achieve client satisfaction by utilising the best skills and equipment to perform each job.   No Outsourcing Our dedicated team of contractors never outsources to third-party companies or subcontractors. Instead, all of the contracting work performed comes from workers of our own company. Not only does this guarantee better-quality results, but it also allows us to keep our prices low too. So you can enjoy the benefits of receiving high-quality services at affordable prices.   Accredited All our THB operatives possess a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, which required them to undergo specialised training and a qualification verification scheme to ensure their skills and credentials. In addition, we are an accredited company that upholds industry standards of excellence and customer satisfaction.   Continuous Training The training of our workers never stops. We continue to receive regular training to stay updated on the latest advancements and regulations regarding Quality Awareness, Health & Safety, and Traffic Management. That is why we’re the national leaders of the industry because we continuously invest in new training, research, technology, and materials to be the most competitive company in the United Kingdom.   Outstanding Reputation THB has spent more than 20 years building an exemplary reputation in the industry. We have established several long-term contracts and business relationships with numerous types of clients across the UK. These relationships wouldn’t exist without building trust and demonstrating the highest degree of professionalism possible every time we serve our clients. We always strive to go above and beyond the industry standards to ensure our clients are 100% satisfied every single time. No other construction company can match our reputation and high customer satisfaction rate.   24/7 Availability THB offers 24/7 availability to our clients across the UK. Since some construction and maintenance projects are better to be performed at night time, we like to keep a 24/7 schedule open to accommodate the most convenient times for our clients. Our THB headquarters is located in London, but we have operational depots in major cities nationwide. Call us at 0800 0146 420 if you need an emergency call-out service or urgent assistance somewhere in the UK.

Why retexturing and deep cleaning is often the best option

Surface retexturing is faster and more affordable than resurfacing brick, tarmac, or concrete surfaces. For starters, retexturing doesn’t require removing or adding materials to the surface as resurfacing does. Instead, it requires a complete cleansing of the existing surface to remove all pollutants, debris, markings, dirt, and other contaminants from it. Resurfacing has always been the traditional way in which businesses and city councils would improve their roads and increase texture depth and skid resistance. However, the innovation of hydroblasting technology has made retexturing a much better solution for restoring texture depth and skid resistance to surfaces. Rather than covering the excess bitumen on surfaces with new material, retexturing removes the bitumen quickly and efficiently. Here are the primary reasons why you should choose retexturing and cleansing over resurfacing and tarmacking: ·  A hydroblaster unit can clean and re-texture up to 10,000 square metres of surface space within eight hours. Resurfacing can cover 100 square metres in five hours. ·  More economical and time-efficient ·  Lower carbon emissions produced ·  Easier to follow COVID-19 guidelines like social distancing ·  Filtered water is used with the hydroblaster unit ·  Waste debris is extracted from the surface and disposed of safely There is no sense in resurfacing unless you have large holes or damage to the surface. However, the most common surface problems are worn texture and debris accumulation. Resolving these problems simply requires a powerful hydroblaster to restore the surface texture to its original state. That is what we can do for your surfaces. Call THB at 0800 0146 420 for more information on our surface retexturing services.

Why is Hydroblasting the best form of road marking removal

Hydroblasting is one of the most effective ways to remove road markings; it is a powerful, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic cleaning solution. THB uses filtered water with no chemical additives to hydroblast the road markings under ultra-high pressure until the hard surfaces are spotlessly clean. Afterward, our operatives will utilize our patented vacuum recovery system to extract all the loosened dirt particles and water from the road until the surface is nearly dry. Then we will safely store the extracted waste materials until they can be disposed of safely. The client doesn’t have to worry about any of the clean-up duties. We take care of all the clean-up responsibilities ourselves. Hydroblasting is a quiet, quick, and clean method of removing road markings. Best of all, it doesn’t leave a carbon footprint on the environment. Clients can feel good about contributing to the national agenda of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We always strive to comply with local and UK regulations to promote a clean and safe environment. Each of our hydroblaster units can clean as much as 10,000 square metres of road space within an eight-hour period. In addition, there is minimal disruption to road traffic and surrounding neighbors because our hydroblaster units act silently, even when blasting out water under ultra-high pressure. THB offers an economical and more effective way to remove road markings compared to the traditional asphalt retexturing and cleansing services. Our technicians have the equipment and experience to deliver fast and efficient road marking removal services on every job.

Commercial Road and Car Park maintenance guide

Not all surfaces affected by potholes and surface wear are public or residential roads. Many service roads and car parks that are privately owned by businesses/entities also suffer from the same issues. Viable infrastructure is what keeps Britains on the move so it is equally important for businesses/companies/schools/hospitals etc. to invest in maintaining entrance/exit roads and their car parks.  The British Parking Association believes that over half of all car parks in the UK contain some form of structural decay. It is therefore essential to protect and maintain your car park surface as a means of maximising life expectancy. Many problems with commercial road surfaces have occurred over the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since most offices and shops entered lockdown measures and a large percentage of the population worked from home, maintenance works were neglected. Now, as some workers are starting to return to their offices and children to school they can see the access roads and car parks have fallen into disrepair. It is the company/entity legal responsibility to provide maintenance for their roads/car parks and repair any issues that may arise. Should an incident occur with a pedestrian or vehicle that is a direct result of the surface falling into disrepair, then the property owners may be liable. In many cases, the business/association may face very costly legal action against themselves and still have to incur the cost of repairing problematic areas on top of this. Not only can this be financially hard-hitting but can also be costly from a moral standpoint and result in diminishing reputation.  If a company/business fails to act on basic maintenance issues then it does not reflect well on them. It can give the impression that the wellbeing of employees, clients and stakeholders is not of high importance as they are willing to allow all to drive over poorly surfaced roads and potentially cause damage/crashes on company property. Access roads and car parks are the very first thing a person sees before they enter a premises. If  the first thing they are greeted with is a road/car park in need of extensive maintenance works then the first impression isn’t going to be a good one. From an aesthetic standpoint it is imperative that a car park is not full of holes and divots if it is to give a professional appearance that is a reflection of the business.   The Top 5 Ways to Maintain Commercial Road Surfaces 1) Develop a Surface Drainage System Installing an effective drainage system in your car park is not only regulation but is also imperative to maintaining the surface wellbeing. If surface liquids and other materials do not have an effective runoff and drainage system then they cause erosion, pollution and in certain cases; localised flooding. Surface erosion will create cracks and crevases which in turn develop into potholes if not not dealt with quickly. These potholes will only cause further damage to road users vehicles and be a source of potential hazards/injuries. Pollution from materials such as: vehicle oil, fuel, grease, hydraulic fluids and suspended solids can be a direct result of poor surface drainage. In many cases additional measures may be needed to ensure that none of these pollutants enter surface water drains or other water courses. The installation of oil separators can be used to combat this. Aside from the environmental impact and potential health hazards; a business may also be prosecuted if they are not seen to deal with polluted materials. Localised flooding can be a direct result of poorly maintained or a non-existent drainage system. If surface water drains are not regularly cleaned and unblocked then this can cause water to back up and flood as it has nowhere else to go. Once water starts pooling then it will start to damage the integrity of the surface above and below ground. Does your commercial property already have a drainage system? If so, it may need to be improved or evaluated to ensure it is up to standards and regulations. If a more efficient drainage system is installed then it could do a lot to prevent road surface issues going forward. With over 20 years experience in the industry, THB can install and maintain the drainage systems in your car park and access roads to help prevent and eradicate any drainage issues.   2) Filling in the Cracks and Potholes Winter nights in the UK tend to experience high rainfall and below-freezing temperatures regularly. Subsequently, below surface water from rainwater frequently freezes; expanding, contracting and causing weakening to various parts of the surface over days, weeks, and months. This movement in the substrata then pushes towards the surface and as vehicles drive over the area regularly, it eventually causes pieces of the road to become loose and break away from the surface. The early signs of damage will be small cracks and holes on the surface. That is how dangerous potholes are formed. Access roads and car parks are the very first thing a person sees before they enter a premises. If the first thing they are greeted with is a road/car park in need of extensive maintenance works then the first impression isn’t going to be a good one. From an aesthetic standpoint it is imperative that a car park is not full of holes and divots if it is to give a professional appearance that is a reflection of the business. The faster you act, the more effective pothole reparations are. The longer these problematic areas are left, the worse the situation will become. As the potholes become more trafficked and weather conditions worsen, this will only lead to the holes becoming longer, wider, deeper and more prevalent throughout a road. As the conditions worsen then subsequently so do the negative effects.   3) Vegetation Clearance Do you have a lot of trees and bushes surrounding the commercial roads of your property? Through clearing and eradicating problematic vegetation (trees, hedges, bushes)  that encroach on or above

Everything you need to know about the UK’s pothole problem

The United Kingdom has been plagued with a growing pothole problem over several decades.The issue has become so drastic that you can guarantee that you will encounter potholes across different roads in a short journey. Often you may not see or be able to avoid an encounter before it’s too late. Car wheels and tyres need relatively smooth surfaces to travel or else they could get damaged quite easily. Not only does a pothole have potential to cause  damage to a vehicle’s tyres, wheels, or suspension system but it can also be the catalyst towards accidents and crashes. Some may not fully appreciate the potential to cause such damage and destruction to a vehicle but in some instances the results can be catastrophic. As many as 32% of motorists have had their car damaged by a pothole, new research by Citroen reveals. The average repair bill for this type of damage is £141.95, with 11% of drivers having to cough up more than £251 for a pothole-related repair. (RAC, March 2021) It is also reported that 1 in 10 vehicle breakdowns in the UK are as a direct result of coming into contact with a pothole.  Over a longer period of time, pothole damage can be so problematic that issues caused are either in the thousands of pounds or past the point of repair all together. So how do you prevent yourself from hitting potholes in the UK? Let’s explore the problem more closely.   Why Does the UK Have a Pothole Problem? Winter nights in the UK tend to experience high rainfall and below-freezing temperatures regularly. Subsequently, below surface water from rainwater frequently freezes; expanding, contracting and causing weakening to various parts of the surface over days, weeks, and months. This movement in the substrata then pushes towards the surface and as vehicles drive over the area regularly, it eventually causes pieces of the road to become loose and break away from the surface. The early signs of damage will be small cracks and holes on the surface. That is how dangerous potholes are formed.   What Can You Do to Avoid the Problem? Whilst driving, it always helps to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings and the potential obstacles on the road. Always be cautious of debris and potholes regardless of the type of road or weather conditions. In some cases it may be easy to maneuver around or over potholes but much of the time this is not the case and a collision is unavoidable. One strategy is letting the potholes pass under the middle of your car rather than under a tyre. However that may not be easy if cars and other potholes surround you on the road. Swerving to avoid potholes may only lead to vehicular collisions and so is not advised. Potholes cost motorists an estimated £3 million in vehicle damages each year. Unfortunately local governments throughout the country are doing very little to combat the growing pothole problem in their towns and cities. Many motorists are furious with their local government for not doing more to address the pothole issue. These feelings are completely understandable considering the cost of road tax which (some) goes towards fixing potholes when compared to the current state of many UK roads.   What Can Be Done to Eliminate the Pothole Problem? Since there are more than 33,000 m2 of potholes throughout the United Kingdom, resolving the UK’s pothole problem will require a nationwide effort. Hiring a reputable surfacing contractor like THB to fix and repair potholes will help towards eliminating the issue. THB is a nationwide leader in road surfacing and civil engineering. We already work for many local authorities and councils carrying out patch and pothole repair schemes. With over 20 years experience in the industry, THB can extensively repair all potholes to a standard that ensures they don’t rear their ugly head for a long time. Ensuring that the road or surface in question is privately owned (not council) then THB will be able to assist. Pot holes on local authority roads should be reported to the relevant local councils. The faster you act, the more effective pothole reparations are. The longer these problematic areas are left, the worse the situation will become. As the potholes become more trafficked and weather conditions worsen, this will only lead to the holes becoming longer, wider, deeper and more prevalent throughout a road. As the conditions worsen then subsequently so do the negative effects.   Conclusion The UK government and people have the power to fix the country’s growing pothole problem. But even if the potholes get fixed, new potholes will continue to form every day on the various roads and streets throughout the country. That is why addressing the pothole crisis will be an ongoing process with no end time. Road maintenance will simply have to become a bigger priority for every local government throughout the UK. As for now, take good care of your vehicle and carry out regular checks or services to make sure that tyres, suspension, chassis etc. are in good working order. Make sure you change your tyres whenever the treads wear thin and avoid driving over potholes if safe to do so.

Cats Eyes Content

A lack of visibility is one of the biggest hazards on the road, especially at night. It can even be difficult for drivers to tell which lane they’re in or even that there are lanes at all, making collisions and other accidents more likely. However, when it comes to marking lanes at night, THBUK has the ideal solution. Our team of professionals can install cat’s eyes, which you might also know as studworks or road studs. Our cat’s eyes are securely installed into the road itself and have a reflective surface that illuminates when hit by a vehicle’s headlights. This method helps make lanes visibly clear, making journeys safer. Our cat’s eyes are also durable and low-maintenance, meaning less time and money spent on repairs and replacements. Not only can our studworks withstand the stresses of countless heavy vehicles passing over them, but they will also remain bright, helping to maintain safety. Our cat’s eyes can also be used in all weather conditions and can withstand even the harshest British winters. The team at THBUK is experienced in working on large-scale jobs so we have all the equipment and experience we need to take on any task. Our professional and friendly team can also lend their expertise and experience to help ensure your project goes as smooothly as possible. In addition to installing cat’s eyes, THBUK also offers a wide range of road surfacing and maintenance services. We have also worked on a wide variety of tasks, including estate roads, airports, warehouses, and car parks. If you need to have cat’s eyes installed or you have any other road surface-related task, please feel free to get in touch. Our team will be looking forward to hearing from you and will be more than happy to help in any way we can.

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