High above Dearborn, Michigan, at a large steel facility, an MPW crew took on one of the toughest industrial cleaning jobs to set up and execute: the stack wash. Two massive precipitator stacks, each 30 feet in diameter and 11 stories tall, required precision, power, and nerves of steel.
An MPW team led by Dearborn Branch Manager Rich Woodhall, Account Manager Charlie Adkins, and Regional Manager Kevin Smith, used an advanced 2D rotating wash head with dual nozzles and extension arms to clean the inner walls of the stacks from the 11th floor down to the 6th. It’s a job that can take 15 hours from start to finish and isn’t for anyone afraid of heights or confined spaces.
MPW’s method stands out from the competition. Where others use a single lance system that often leaves striped residues, MPW’s dual-nozzle setup provides full, consistent coverage. The result is a cleaner stack and a consistently satisfied client.
“We do a better cleaning than the other contractor. We’re consistent and on time—even ahead of time,” Woodhall said. “You’ve got to have the right people and the right gear to do this job right. It’s not something just anyone can walk into and figure out.”
Despite challenges like lockout/tagout delays and navigating tight workspaces nearly a dozen stories in the air, MPW’s Dearborn team delivered exceptional results safely and efficiently.