Pressure washing in a Montana January is a non-starter. Water freezes on the surface, on the equipment, and on the operator. Chemical cleaning slows dramatically below 40°F as solvent action drops off. Dry ice blasting, on the other hand, is unaffected by ambient temperature — which is why most of our Mountain West and Western Canada customers ramp dry ice work into the winter months.
Why temperature doesn't matter to dry ice
The pellets are already at –78°C (–109°F). Whether the ambient air is 80°F or –10°F, the thermal differential at impact is the same and the cleaning mechanics are identical. The only cold-weather adjustment is on the operator's PPE and on compressor warm-up time.
Equipment considerations
Diesel compressors need a longer warm-up cycle below 20°F and we run winter-grade fuel and additives. Blast hoses stay flexible at temperature. Pellet storage actually improves in winter — sublimation slows dramatically, so a single delivery covers more job time.
Operator PPE
Standard cryogenic gloves, plus winter outer layer, plus heated cab access for breaks. Crews work shorter outdoor shifts in extreme cold and we plan accordingly. Indoor work in heated facilities is unchanged.
Customer wins
- Year-round equipment cleaning instead of seasonal-only
- Winter is often the lowest-production window — ideal for major cleaning
- Restoration after winter pipe-burst events: no risk of refreeze
- Fleet salt-and-grime removal from December–March, when pressure washing is impossible
What we won't do
We won't blast outdoors below –20°F sustained — operator safety drives that. Heated containment shifts the rule, and most of our true cold-weather work moves into the customer's shop or a temporary heated tent.