Shipyards are bustling commerce, leisure, and distribution hubs, hosting ships from behemoth cruise liners to weathered fishing dinghies.

With so much traffic causing wear and tear, shipyard maintenance is necessary. Power washing is the fastest, safest, and most cost-efficient option for cleaning shipyards.

If you’re ready to blast away layers of grime, algae, biofilm, and rust, you’ll need to understand how to pressure wash shipyards.

We’ll show you how to clean shipyards using these powerful tools. We’ve assisted local Southeast Texas business owners in finding the perfect pressure washers, soaps, and accessories to do the job correctly.

Don’t hesitate to ask our Hotsy of Houston team questions about how to pressure wash shipyards effectively.

The Role of Shipyard Maintenance

Shipyard maintenance is crucial to your facilities’ short- and long-term success. Learning how to clean shipyards will create a safe work environment, extend the lifespan of equipment, and keep the local ecosystem safe.

As such, pressure washing shipyards is essential to your bottom line.

Safety

Cleaning shipyards is the difference between smooth operations and disastrous lawsuits.

You can’t just put off learning how to clean shipyards by sticking to old, ineffective methods. Hazards like algae, biofilm, and barnacles can pose slip-and-fall risks and health dangers.

Equipment Longevity

Cleaning shipyards is essential to keeping your tools in peak condition. Regular shipyard maintenance allows you to patch up minor issues before they become big problems.

Many corrosive materials and chemicals, including salt, moisture, biofilm, rust, and mildew, can damage your machinery.

Cleaning shipyards with a pressure washer will clear these harmful buildups. As a bonus, clean, gunk-free equipment works more efficiently. Whether you are cleaning your cranes, lifts, or caisson gates, that extra bit of TLC goes a long way.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental responsibility is an integral part of shipyard maintenance regulations.

If your ships and machinery are covered in dirt, algae, and barnacles and you fail to clean them properly, you’ll pollute the local waterways.

That’ll put you in the crosshairs of local, state, and federal environmental agencies. Suddenly, the time or money you saved by skipping out on cleaning shipyards will cost you 10 times that in fines.

What Makes Pressure Washing Shipyards the Optimal Approach?

Shipyard maintenance isn’t something you can just ignore.

But why is cleaning shipyards with pressure washers the best method?

Shipyards are complex facilities with many moving parts, heavy machinery, and traffic. Therefore, you need a fast, reliable method.

Challenges in Keeping Shipyards Clean

The amount of stains you’ll find in a shipyard can make your head spin. Rust, salt, barnacles, algae, mold, mildew, sludge, grime…the list goes on.

Unfortunately, there are practically no one-size-fits-all ways to clear these stains. These issues can pop up in every part of your shipyard–including your industrial machinery, dry docks, gates, cranes, anchors, walkways, and smaller nooks and crannies.

To top it all off, shipyards are massive facilities. Even if cleaning shipyards was possible with most methods, there would still be the issue of time.

Shortcomings of Traditional Cleaning Methods

If you’ve relied on a mop and bucket or harsh cleaning chemicals, you know the futility of cleaning shipyards with them.

Manual scrubbing takes forever–frustrating your staff and eating into your payroll. Sandblasting is slightly more effective but has detrimental environmental impacts that will have the EPA knocking at your doorstep.

Harsh chemicals create a toxic environment that harms your employees, vendors, and product quality.

Thankfully, pressure washing shipyards avoids these issues. That’s why businesses worldwide rely on pressure washing for commercial buildings, and shipyards are no exception.

Pressure Washers Effortlessly Eliminate Stubborn Salt, Rust, and Marine Growth

Shipyard maintenance is simple with a pressure washer.

All of those varied types of stains? There’s a pressure washer detergent for each one. Moving between salt and barnacles is as simple as swapping out soap tanks and watching the gunk melt away.

Even seemingly impossible stains like rust or barnacles are child’s play. These hefty machines can clean shipyards in minutes.

The Efficiency and Environmental Benefits of Pressure Washing

While most shipyard maintenance techniques harm the ecosystem, that isn’t true of power washing.

Even the most potent power washers use only 8 to 12 gallons per minute, which is half or less than the rate of standard hoses. Coupled with the much faster cleaning time, you’ll use a fraction of the water.

Plus, most power washing detergents are biodegradable, posing little pollution risk.

What You Need for Shipyard Pressure Washing

If you want to master the art of shipyard maintenance, you’ll need the right tools.

The best commercial pressure washer brand is Hotsy, with a storied reputation dating back 5 decades. Let’s break down all the factors to consider when cleaning shipyards.

The Relationship Between PSI and GPM

PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute) determine your machine’s size.

You’ll want a machine with a minimum of 3000 PSI. Some tougher biofilm stains may require up to 4000 PSI. 4 to 8 GPM is suitable for most jobs.

Note that there may be a few delicate surfaces on your property, including vehicle fleet pressure washing, where going for a lower PSI in the 2000 range is ideal. Consult with your retailer for specific advice.

Should You Use a Gas or Electric Unit?

The choice between gas vs electric pressure washers is simple–gas models have the mobility and raw power you need to deal with tough stains. Electric models are a good choice if you also have indoor facilities to clean, but gas should be your go-to for cleaning shipyards.

Are Heated Pressure Washers Worth It?

Water temperature is vital to your results. There’s no match between hot water vs cold water pressure washers; you need the extra heat to deal with tough stains like barnacles and rust. Look for machines that can go up to 200°F or higher.

How Detergents Elevate Efficiency and Efficacy

Finding a powerful machine is just half of the battle. You’ll also need to equip yourself with powerful detergents for specific stains.

Hotsy also makes the best soaps for pressure washers with biodegradable blends. You’ll want at least a few different options to tackle the litany of stains on your property.

Hotsy Ripper I & II: Your go-to degreaser for tough grime, oil, and grease stains.

Hotsy Breakthrough: An all-around cleaner that works on most surfaces.

Hotsy Aluminum Brightener: An aluminum-safe blend for keeping your equipment shining like new.

Hotsy Salt Lick: Hotsy’s most effective salt remover.

Hotsy Yellow Fever: This aluminum-safe blend is rated explicitly for hard-water scale, minerals, and grease.

Hotsy Verde All-Purpose: An all-natural formula that is effective in various applications.

Hotsy Carbon-Ate Plus: Adds a wax-like finish to protect from salt and acid rain.

Essential Accessories to Maximize Productivity

You can’t forget about accessories! The best pressure washer accessories will streamline your cleaning process even further.

First, invest in several types of nozzles. They range from narrow angles that are excellent for focusing on stubborn stains to wide nozzles that can clear large areas quickly.

Hotsy makes a few different specialty nozzles, which are worth considering. Hotsy’s Turbo Nozzle uses a jackhammer-like motion to clear grime from surfaces without the underlying damage. Hotsy’s X-Jet Nozzle has a range of 40 feet, letting you reach those isolated nooks and crannies effectively.

Finally, we recommend investing in a surface cleaner, like the 24” Hotsy Rotary Surface Cleaner. Using them is one of the most reliable commercial floor cleaning techniques across industries, helping you scrub those decks in a fraction of the time manual methods would take.

With your shopping list complete, all that is left to do is find a retailer to help you get started!

Trust Hotsy of Houston for All Your Equipment and Supplies!

Hotsy of Houston is Southeast Texas’ #1 home for industrial cleaning. Thousands of local businesses, including major corporations like Bobcat, Sonic, and PEC Safety, have trusted us.

When you shop with us for an industrial pressure washer in Houston, you’ll have a seamless experience you can’t find anywhere else. As the region’s only authorized Hotsy retailer, we offer the best equipment. We also provide sales and industrial pressure washer rentals in Houston, letting you choose the best option for your budget.

Our friendly and knowledgeable team of Houston natives will walk you through everything. Whether it is how to rent a power washer, what to look for in a pressure washer, or

what kind of soap to use in a pressure washer, you can sit back and let us do the work for you.

We also sell and rent pressure washer trailers in Houston, so you won’t have to worry about setting up a pressure washer trailer yourself.

Even after your purchase, we’re still here to help. Our store is the best location for industrial pressure washer repair in Houston, offering speedy service, affordable pressure washer repair costs, and the knowledge needed to keep your machine functioning for the long haul.

How to Pressure Wash Shipyards: Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Shipyards

With your equipment sorted, let’s teach you how to use a pressure washer in your shipyard.

Grab some PPE to wear while pressure washing, and you’re ready to begin.

Step 1: Clear the Area of Loose Debris and Hazards

Before letting a single drop of water out, you must clear the area. Remove any loose tools or hazards. Even a stray bolt or jar can become a dangerous projectile. Make sure the area is clear of human foot traffic, as well.

Step 2: Apply Detergent for Pre-Treatment

From here, you’ll add soap to your pressure washer. Spray it onto your surfaces, allowing it to soak in for 10 to 15 minutes. This will soak in and loosen any salt or grime, but ensure it doesn’t dry completely.

Step 3: Set the Appropriate Pressure and Attachments

While the soap soaks, set your PSI and add your attachments. Starting with a slightly lower PSI, in the 2500 range, can let you ramp up and protect your surfaces. We recommend beginning with a wide nozzle and narrowing as you identify problem areas.

Step 4: Begin Cleaning in a Systematic Manner

From here, start blasting away. Use gravity as an aid, with overlapping motions from top to bottom. Keep the wand at a safe distance, at least 12 inches from the surface. Keep the wand moving to avoid placing excessive pressure on singular spots.

You can switch to your surface cleaners for flooring–that will be the most efficient way to clear those areas.

Step 5: Rinse and Inspect for Remaining Stains

After blasting away, it’s time to rinse. Apply thorough coverage, keeping an eye out for missed spots.

While the surface dries, take out a flashlight and look for leftover stains. You will need to go back and cover those areas again.

Step 6: Perform a Final Clean-Up and Dispose of Waste Safely

Once the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned, you can tidy up the area. Gather all your pressure washing equipment and check briefly for any wear and tear.

You’ll also need to dispose of wastewater properly. For more information, check your local regulations, including those centered around runoff.

If you don’t already have one, a water reclamation system can be an excellent investment and help you save on water costs in the long run.

Ideal Frequency of Shipyard Cleaning

While pressure washing doesn’t take much effort, it’s still not something you necessarily want to do every day.

So, how frequently do you need to go through this process? We recommend deep cleaning every 2 to 3 months, especially for areas with high salt or pollution. Supplement those with lighter cleaning sessions monthly or even weekly, which will make the deep cleaning sessions easier.

Bringing Our Shipyard Maintenance Guide to a Close

With the right equipment, shipyard maintenance is a breeze. Pressure washing is the most reliable method, with unparalleled speed, efficiency, and eco-friendliness.

You can rely on Hotsy of Houston for all the equipment you need. Our team is here to help you with personalized advice, including pressure washing business start-up costs, how to quote pressure washing jobs, pressure washer storage tips, how to maintain a pressure washer and more.

We’ve helped hundreds of local businesses streamline their cleaning abilities. Beyond shipyard cleaning, we sell equipment suitable for these applications: