FAQs

Water jet units are used by many types of industries and by contractors who provide specialty-cleaning services to those industries. They are also widely used by the surface prep industry to remove all sorts of paints and coatings. Essentially, if you have a product that is extremely difficult to remove, water jets could be your answer. Here is a small sampling of specialized applications:

• Chemical and Plastic Plants: Water jets are used for tank and reactor cleaning, and for pipe and tube cleaning.
• Paint Shops: Water jets are the single most effective tool for removing both live and cured paint from fixtures, carriers, and grates. Almost every automotive paint shop in the world has a high-pressure water jetting system in place.
• Cutting: Water jets are used around the world to cut all types of materials. There are basically two methods. Straight water jet cutting uses only water and is typically used for softer materials, like food, cloth, foam, or wood. Abrasive water jet cutting mixes an abrasive into the water to cut even the hardest metals.
• Energy Production: Water jets are used extensively by power plants to clean boilers, re-heaters, cyclones, and scrubbers.

NLB carefully designs equipment to fit operators’ needs. Our hand lances, for example, have shoulder stocks and other ergonomic features that make them comfortable to operate. If you have questions about how much water a person can handle at any specific pressure, please contact us.

Costs vary with your needs. If you can tell us about your application, we’ll be happy to help determine exactly what type of equipment you need, and its cost.

The distance between the nozzle and the surface is directly related to the volume of water you have to work with. Typically, the more water you have, the further away you can work.

As a frame of reference, NLB tank cleaning systems typically use as much as 50 gallons (189 lpm) per minute and can reach out nearly 15 feet (4.6 m). Conversely, our ultra-high pressure systems might only use 3 gallons (11 lpm) per minute and could discharge that flow out over 8 or more nozzles. In this type of application, you would need to be only a few inches from the surface you are trying to clean.

Yes. NLB has a multi-gun valve that allows two or more people to work off the same pump. This valve allows each operator to start and stop the flow of water to his or her lance without affecting the other operators.

This depends on the kind of work you want to do. If you know how much water you’ll be using, and what pressure you need, you can look over the different models we offer and select the correct one. If not, please contact us. We have years of experience in helping people select the best pump for their application.

Note: When considering horsepower, please be sure to look at hydraulic horsepower, not the horsepower of the engine or motor running the pump. The ‘Pump Horsepower’ in many companies’ marketing literature refers to the horsepower driving the pump, not the actual horsepower that makes it to your nozzle. These are NOT the same thing. NLB can explain this in detail and can provide formulas to calculate how much horsepower you can actually expect.

No. Pressure and Flow both play key roles in an efficient water jetting system, and applications respond differently to each variable. Typically, hardened deposits respond better to higher pressures, and softer materials are best removed with higher flows. Each application is unique, though, and NLB can help you determine which combination of pressure and flow will work best for you.

Water jets are less dangerous than many other methods. Nevertheless, proper safety procedures must be followed, and they require the same respect that you would afford any power tool.

Payment – Until credit has been established (click here for a credit application), payment can be made by check or credit card. First-time customers must pay the first month’s rent plus a security deposit.

Training – All renters must complete the NLB training program for the unit or accessories being rented, or show certification of previous experience with it.

Insurance – You must provide a certificate of insurance (property and liability) naming NLB Corp. as additionally insured.

Payment is required in advance unless credit has been established (see above).

Credit accounts are due and payable in Net 30 days. At 45 days an account is past-due; at 60 days a credit hold is implemented; at 90 days collection proceedings begin.

We gladly accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.

Check with your local branch for delivery options and pricing.

You need a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck.

NLB units come with a 2″ or 2-5/16″ ball hitch or a pintle hitch. Please check with the rental location before setting out to pick it up.

NLB trailer lights have round, 6-pin connectors. Adapters are the responsibility of the renter. NLB trailers have electronic brakes; your truck must be equipped with a brake actuator unit.

NLB rents only to contractors, municipal end users, and industrial end users. Any permits required to do a job are the responsibility of the renter.

Yes; many customers rent NLB equipment for jobs in other locations. If you need help with export arrangements or container freight forwarding (we have extensive experience), please advise us well before your rental date.

Yes; NLB equipment is widely used on offshore platforms and aboard ships.

If you have navigated through our job listings and haven’t found the specific opening for which you are looking, we are not recruiting for it at this time. Please check back soon as this list is constantly updated with new openings.

Detailed information about the job can be found by selecting the “More” link for any of our current open positions. If you have other questions not answered there, they will be answered at the time of your appointment, if you are selected for one, by our local hiring managers who are most familiar with the opening.

Our site is designed to let you know of the available job openings matching your location and interests and to allow you to express interest in a particular job. The first step in the process is to complete an online file which simply allows us to build an inventory of your skills, qualifications, and interests. This helps our hiring manager decide for which positions you would be best suited.

The specific steps vary from one position to another; one location to another; and can even vary from one time to another, as our hiring needs change. All positions begin with the online application found with each job listing. For some positions, we may schedule you for an in-person appointment, or a telephone interview, or simply send your profile to our hiring manager for review. The next steps after that vary even more, so please ask your hiring manager, if selected for an appointment, what the remaining steps would be.

Your privacy is very important to us. Your online file is completely confidential and is never used for any purpose other than considering you for a position with us. We don’t sell or give your name, number, email address, or any other personal information to any outside party unless they are directly involved in our recruitment process. We require the same confidentiality from any such vendors.

No. Our online file is the first step in our recruitment process and lets us know you’re interested and some basic information about you and your experience. At some point in the process, you may be asked to fill out and sign a paper application or offer letter, which will constitute your official application.