Silos · hoppers · tanks
Silo and tank cleaning
We remove wall build-up, bridging and discharge blockages from silos and hoppers, working on ropes from the top hatch.
Scope of work
- Breaking away crusts and build-up from internal walls
- Clearing bridging and blockages at the cone and discharge outlet
- Cleaning tanks before inspection, repair or a product change
- Pressure washing where the product and the installation allow it
- Visual inspection of internal walls and a photo report after cleaning
When rope access makes sense
In tall silos, or where the only access is from the top, and entering from below would mean working under unsupported material.
The silo atmosphere, the risk of material collapse and the confined-space measures are settled before we quote; we never enter an installation that has not been isolated.
How the job runs
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Review of the installation
We discuss the stored product, the degree of build-up, hatches and discharge systems.
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Isolation
The client stops filling and discharge; together we agree the confined-space measures.
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Top-down cleaning
We descend on two independently anchored ropes and remove material in controlled stages.
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Check and handover
We check the flow, record the condition of the walls and hand the installation back.
Rope access, scaffold or crane?
We choose the method after the site visit. If a scaffold or a MEWP suits your job better, the quote will say so.
| Criterion | Rope access | Scaffold | Crane / MEWP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobilisation time | hours, once the plan is approved | days to erect and strike | depends on plant and permits |
| Reach into tight areas | good: interiors, façades, steelwork | limited by building geometry | limited by boom reach |
| Ground footprint | minimal, exclusion zone only | for the whole job | outriggers and a cordon |
| Impact on operations | low, work runs section by section | high around the scaffold | medium, with traffic restrictions |
What helps us quote
- The stored product and its condition (wet, caked, powdery)
- Diameter, height and type of bottom (cone, flat)
- Size and position of access hatches
- The shutdown window available
- Data sheet or photos of the installation
Where this work comes up
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Agriculture and food
Grain silos, feed mills, food processing.
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Manufacturing
Factories, industrial sites, workshops with overhead cranes.
Request for quotation
Give us a short outline of the job. We will come back with technical questions or a proposed site visit, then a written quote.
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Your request has been received.
We will contact you to clarify the technical details. For urgent work, call 0373 809 111.
Frequently asked questions
How is the price set if you do not publish rates?
It depends on the silo size, the quantity and consistency of the build-up, hatch access, the confined-space measures and the length of the shutdown. Photos taken through the hatch help a lot with the estimate.
Do you clean silos in the food industry?
Yes. Equipment and cleaning method are chosen to meet the client’s hygiene requirements, which we write into the method statement.
How long does a clean take?
From one day to several, depending on volume and how compacted the material is. The estimated duration is in the quote, tied to the shutdown window.
Who deals with the material removed?
It is agreed in the quote: usually the material drops to the outlet and is taken by the client under their own procedures.
Relevant services
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Steel structures
Installation, inspection and corrosion protection on tall structures.
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Industrial maintenance at height
Inspections, fixings and repairs in plants, halls and on tall equipment.
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Bird netting
Netting, spikes and wire under canopies, at loading bays and on façades.
Got a job that is hard to reach?
Send us your request and we will come back with the right technical questions.