Sandblasting in Ann Arbor

What's typical in Ann Arbor

Historic districts come first

Ann Arbor has a number of local historic districts, including the Old West Side, overseen by the city's Historic District Commission. Under Michigan's Local Historic Districts Act, work that affects a resource's exterior appearance in a local district generally needs approval before it starts (Michigan Local Historic Districts Act, MCL 399.205). Blasting brick, stone, or siding is the kind of work commissions review closely.

Masonry: gentlest method that works

The National Park Service's Preservation Brief 6 explains how abrasive cleaning can remove brick's harder outer surface, erode mortar, and accelerate deterioration, and it recommends against abrasive cleaning of historic buildings (National Park Service, Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings). Many Ann Arbor masonry jobs are better served by chemical cleaning, low-pressure water, or soft media, tested on a small patch first.

Older homes and lead

Much of the housing near downtown and campus was built before 1978. Paid work disturbing paint there falls under EPA's RRP rule, and open abrasive blasting of painted surfaces is prohibited without HEPA-shrouded or contained equipment. Ask about paint testing up front.

University, research, and commercial

University and medical-campus facilities, labs, and tech manufacturers generate equipment-cleaning work, where dry ice blasting is often the choice because it leaves no media residue. These sites typically have their own contractor safety requirements.

Practical notes

Tight lots, mature trees, and close neighbors make containment, noise hours, and dust control especially important. Wet and dustless systems are common requests here.

Sources: Michigan Local Historic Districts Act, MCL 399.205; National Park Service, Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings; 40 CFR 745.85 (RRP work practice standards).

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