Airport Runway Cleaning Equipment: Why You Need it and How to Use it to Ensure Safety
Airports worldwide constantly seek to innovate runway cleaning methods. Every plane that lifts off and lands on your runways will leave behind streaks, rubber marks, and uneven spots.
If you fail to clean your runways within a specific number of takeoff and landings, you’ll pose a significant safety risk.
Modern technology has made airport runway cleaning equipment more accessible than ever. Streamlined pressure washing trucks and smaller handheld models are the best way to minimize maintenance costs, increase your safety ratings, and extend the lifespan of your tarmacs.
We’ll break down what you need to clean your runways. We are Southeast Texas’ authorized Hotsy retailer, bringing you the best commercial pressure washer brand and our friendly expertise to set you up for success.
The Need for Regular Airport Runway Cleaning
You might have some reservations if you run a smaller airport or have a tight budget. Do you need top-of-the-line airport runway cleaning equipment? Can planes still take off with rubber marks on the tarmac?
Even minor imperfections on your tarmac are incredibly dangerous for aircraft. The longer you go without cleaning, the sooner you’ll need to repair and replace your tarmacs.
Preventing Accidents From Rubber Buildup and Other Foreign Objects
Every time landing gear hits your runway, it leaves behind some rubber. This is why airplane tires require replacement so frequently. As rubber deposits onto your tarmac, it creates a slippery surface.
This unstable ground can cause your planes to slide after landing, have uneven liftoffs, and cause other potentially dangerous outcomes.
Foreign objects like nuts, bolts, and luggage tags can litter your runway, creating additional hazards. If these objects get sucked into an engine or puncture a tire, you’re in danger of a catastrophe.
Extending Runway Lifespan by Preventing Erosion
Airport tarmacs are costly. Runways can cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Each landing, takeoff, and a bit of inclement weather will slowly deteriorate your tarmac until you realize you’re on the hook for a multi-million dollar replacement.
Regular airport runway cleaning will help you nip problems before they spiral out of control. Blasting away rubber marks and removing harmful debris will prevent the pores in your asphalt from becoming damaged. This cleaning will extend the lifespan of your runway by several years.
How Are Airport Runways Cleaned?
Understanding how airport runway cleaning works is essential to the success of your airport.
You can’t just send a team out there with rags and sponges and hope for the best. You’ll need powerful machines that can clear large areas quickly.
Mechanical Sweeping for Loose Debris
Mechanical sweeping devices are powerful tools. They feature rigid brushes to pick up and move large pieces of debris. Think of them like lawnmowers but for concrete.
Some mechanical sweepers, including surface cleaners, can be operated by hand. However, most airport runways require vehicles with a mechanical sweeping tool attached. This will allow you to cover large areas efficiently.
Pressure Washing for Deep Cleaning
The crown jewel of airport runway cleaning equipment is a high-quality pressure washer. Industrial-grade pressure washers can eradicate stains from asphalt–even the tough stains found on your tarmac.
With the correct nozzle, soap, and tools, you can clean your runways and ensure your planes have a stable foundation for safe operation.
The following section provides a detailed overview of what to look for in a pressure washer.
Chemical Applications for Surface Contaminants
Chemicals can be essential to your cleaning routines, but you must ensure you have suitable blends.
For example, the best pressure washing detergents can remove rubber marks, road film, and oil stains, lifting them from the porous tarmac.
However, other chemicals may not be ideal for runway use. They could remove the stains but simultaneously damage the tarmac or pose a safety hazard for luggage crews.
Vacuum Systems for Efficient Waste Removal
Vacuum systems play a vital role in runway cleaning. Like mechanical sweepers, they are most commonly found on vehicles, giving you an all-in-one solution. Pressure washers and surface cleaners will kick up lots of debris. Your vacuums will swoop up that debris and clear the tarmac for landings and takeoffs.
Your pressure washer will remove the stains from the concrete pores while your vacuum clears the runway of the emerging gunk.
What to Look for in Your Airport Runway Cleaning Equipment
Cleaning your airport’s tarmacs starts with having the correct equipment.
You can clear your entire runway using pressure washers and assorted attachments. Unless you run a small private airport, this usually requires a trailer-mounted machine.
With the trailer, you can supplement tools like chemicals, vacuums, and surface cleaners to achieve the best results.
But with so many types of pressure washers, how do you know which machines to get? You’ll need to weigh a few different criteria.
PSI and GPM Requirements for Runway Cleaning
Sizing is the starting point for any pressure Washer purchase. Airport runways have some tough stains that require heavy-hitting machines.
PSI and GPM stand for pounds per square inch and gallons per minute, respectively. These two metrics measure the force and volume of water.
A pressure washer with a minimum PSI of 4,000 and GPM of 6 to 8 will work for most stains on an airport runway.
However, you’ll need an ultra-high-powered machine with a minimum of 12,000 PSI for rubber stains. Some of these models can escalate up to 30,000 PSI.
Why Heated Pressure Washers Perform Better
For airport runways, the hot water vs cold water pressure washer debate isn’t much of a contest. You need high temperatures to lift the typical stains from asphalt, with values above 200 degrees preferred.
The extra heat softens deposited stains, jolting them from the concrete pores they usually hide in.
Gas, Electric, and Trailer-Mounted Models
The next decision you must make is between gas vs electric pressure washers. Like the water temperature decision, it’s relatively quick.
Gas-powered pressure washers are preferred due to their raw power and mobility. If you’re using your power washer to clean runways, it will almost certainly be trailer-mounted. You don’t want to worry about lugging around an extension cord for an electric model.
Pressure washer trailers provide everything you need, including reliable transportation to clear large areas simultaneously and a place to store your soaps and attachments.
If you need help finding high-quality pressure washer trailers in Houston for sale or rent, check out Hotsy of Houston! We assist businesses with homemade pressure washer trailer setup and commercial builds to ensure smooth operations.
Specialized Nozzles and Surface Cleaners
To restore your runway to pristine condition, you must consider your nozzles. The standard nozzle on a power washer is a good starting point, but the best pressure washer accessories can reduce cleaning time to a fraction of the original duration.
Turbo nozzles are a solid choice for clearing large areas. But if you want to clear taxiway paint to redesign your tarmac, we recommend a nozzle with a fan spray pattern.
You’ll also want to pick up a surface cleaner. These nifty tools act as mechanical sweepers, allowing you to clear debris from the runway without breaking a sweat.
Don’t Forget the Detergents!
Don’t make the decision of what kind of soap to use in a pressure washer lightly. You’ll need specialized soaps to clear those stains.
There are a few options we consider among the best soaps for pressure washers. Hotsy’s line of soaps is biodegradable and formulated for specific conditions.
Hotsy Blue Thunder is effective for road film and exhaust stains. Hotsy Salt Lick also works on exhaust stains and lifts de-icing solutions from surfaces to eliminate that slick feeling.
We’ve given you a great starting point for your shopping list. But if you want an in-depth list of solutions for your airport, why not let us take charge? As the #1 retailer for commercial pressure washers in Houston, we have everything you need to do the job.
Hotsy of Houston Has All the Equipment and Supplies You Need
If you want to restore your runways and create a stable foundation for aircraft taking off and landing at your airport, Hotsy of Houston has your back. We’re the #1 home for commercial cold water pressure washers in Houston and commercial hot water pressure washers in Houston.
We’ve helped local Southeast Texas businesses like AgPro, McDonald’s, and HEB with their cleaning needs.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team has seen it all. We’ll be right in your corner every step of the way to ensure you find the perfect solutions. From recommending pressure washer detergent choices to providing commercial pressure washer rental in Houston, we’ll give your airport all the necessary tools.
We’ll explain how to rent a power washer, show you how pressure washer storage works, how to maintain a pressure washer, and recommend supplemental attachments and tools.
You can rely on us long after your initial purchase. We’re the #1 home for commercial pressure washer repair in Houston, with affordable pressure washer repair costs and speedy service to help you avoid downtime.
Tips on Pressure Washing Airport Runways
Once you have your equipment, it’s time to learn how to use a pressure washer on your runways and taxiways!
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
Before you fire a single spray of water, you have some preparation to take care of.
Grab some personal protective equipment to wear while pressure washing, as the high-powered water can cause damage if you’re unprepared.
Airport protocol is critical here. You’ll need clearance from air traffic control to clean the runways and clear the personnel and equipment area within just minutes. From there, begin sweeping the area of any debris using your surface cleaner or mechanical sweeper. You don’t want any large objects flying around and causing damage.
Chemical Application Best Practices
From there, fill up your soap tank. Learning how to add soap to a pressure washer is simple; just fill the tank and make sure its connected to your nozzle. You’ll begin by applying the soap as a pre-treatment; let it soak for around 10 minutes without thoroughly drying. This will lift some of the stains from the pores.
Proper Water Pressure and Technique
With the soap soaked in, you can start washing. Start with a slightly lower pressure to get the asphalt wet. Then, ramp up to your maximum PSI. Try to keep your nozzle at an angle to allow for the correct amount of force.
For thorough coverage, you should overlap your water spray around 20 to 50%.
Once the runway is cleaned, you’ll begin rinsing the surface. Make sure all of the stains and debris are clean. You can use a vacuum system mounted to your trailer for this.
You’ll then need to dry the runway. Follow airport regulations to ensure that departing and arriving planes can safely use the runway once you’re done.
Post-Cleaning Inspection
As the runway dries, you should inspect it properly. Get up close and personal to look for missed spots, stubborn stains, and any damage you inadvertently caused. Document any issues accordingly, as air traffic control will need to be informed.
How Often Are Airport Runways Cleaned?
Runway cleaning frequency will vary based on the traffic in your airport.
Some airports clean their runways multiple times per week. Others go months without doing so.
It’s important to remember that rubber buildup is hazardous. To ensure a safe environment for every aircraft, you need to take care of the stains on your runway. Err on the side of weekly cleaning in most cases.
Wrapping Up Our Airport Runway Cleaning Guide
Taking charge of your runway cleaning is essential to your success. Eliminating those stains and ensuring aircraft are safe will give you peace of mind. Plus, regular cleaning extends the lifespan of your taxiways and runways and keeps your balance sheet looking healthy.
If you need assistance restoring your runways to peak condition, talk to our team at Hotsy of Houston!
We’ve helped thousands of local businesses pressure wash commercial buildings, including warehouse pressure washing, cleaning a cooling tower, pressure washing factory floors, fleet pressure washing, farm equipment, restaurant pressure washing, and pressure washing parking lots.
Our team has even advised budding entrepreneurs on pressure washing business start-up costs and how to quote pressure washing jobs.
If you want to experience unparalleled cleaning power, look no further than Hotsy of Houston. Stop by our Pasadena store or give us a call to learn more!
