What is hydrodemolition?

Hydrodemolition is a concrete removal technique that uses high-pressure water to remove both deteriorated and/or sound concrete. The process provides an excellent bonding surface for repair and new coating applications. Unlike jackhammers, hydrodemolition does not produce vibrations throughout the structure and because of that, it reduces the micro fracturing within the surface of the structure, creating a superior bonding surface. Some other benefits of hydrodemolition are that it creates no dust pollution and the water used during the process can be collected, treated and reused or discharged. To learn more about how hydrodemolition can help you with your projects contact us now!

Applications

Bridges & Roads

  • Elevated Roadways

  • Bridge Decks

  • Soffits & Parapets

Piers & Columns

  • Docks & Columns

  • Marine Piers

  • Piles & Pile Caps

Concrete Elements

  • Overhead Horizontal

  • Vertical Walkways and Arches

  • Sloped Surface (Spillways & Dams)

Hydrodemolition Methods

Walco Industries Ltd. delivers hydrodemolition through two purpose-built methods — robotic and handheld — each deployed based on the specific demands of the project at hand. With one of the largest robotic hydrodemolition fleets in North America, our automated systems handle large-scale surface work with speed, consistency, and precision that manual methods simply cannot match. Operating at pressures calibrated to the exact depth and concrete strength required, our robotic units work across bridge decks, dam faces, vertical spillways, penstock interiors, and other complex structures — all while keeping operators safely removed from the high-pressure work zone. Where site conditions restrict robotic access, our hand lancing systems step in. Utilizing pressure systems from 3,000 to 40,000 psi, our trained and certified technicians execute precise, controlled removal in confined spaces, at shallow depths, and in sensitive areas where detail and accuracy are critical. Together, these two methods give Walco the capability to tackle any hydrodemolition project — regardless of scale, geometry, or complexity — with the same standard of quality and safety that has defined our work for over 40 years.

Walco Industries Ltd. Robotics

Walco Industries Ltd. brings one of North America's largest and most capable robotic hydrodemolition fleets to every project we take on. Our robotic systems are available in both electric and diesel-powered configurations — giving us the ability to match the right equipment to the demands of any site, from enclosed or emissions-sensitive environments to remote locations requiring fully self-contained power. What truly defines our robotic capability, however, is the range of specialized custom tooling we carry. Equipped with attachments including a centralizer unt for precise circumferential work inside pipes or penstocks, a rotating head for revolving jet access in recesses and cavities (providing a shallow but perfect scarified surface), extension kits for deep and elevated hard to reach areas, a rail system for controlled linear runs, a circular power head for full-circumference interior/exterior pipe rehabilitation, a tunnel kit for arched and curved concrete profiles, and a track system  with a separate compact controller unit for extended-reach stability and operator precision — Walco's robotic fleet is configured to work where others can't. Whether the project involves a standard bridge deck, a vertical dam face, a narrow penstock, or a complex tunnel lining, we have the equipment and the expertise to execute it with the accuracy, safety, and quality our clients expect.

Handheld Concrete Removal Method

Walco Industries Ltd.'s handheld hydrodemolition service delivers the same high-pressure precision as our robotic fleet in a format built for the jobs that require a human hand on the lance. Operating pressure systems from 3,000 to 40,000 psi, our trained and certified technicians bring controlled, selective concrete removal to areas where robotic access is restricted — confined spaces, complex geometries, sensitive structural details, and projects where shallow, precise depth removal is the priority.

For clients specifying concrete repair on bridges, parking structures, dams, or industrial floors, the surface preparation method is not a secondary consideration — it is the foundation on which the entire repair depends. Walco's handheld hydrodemolition service ensures that foundation is as strong as the structure it is restoring.