Hello, my name is Tony and this is my concrete installation and maintenance blog. I am not a professional concrete contractor but I am very passionate about DIY. My dad was a contractor and when I was growing up he taught me all kinds of neat tips and tricks. Once time, he took me out into the yard and made me inspect the concrete wall. The concrete was crumbling away, exposing the metal bars beneath. My father explained that this was concrete cancer and then demonstrated how to repair the damage. I hope you find my blog useful and entertaining.
If you are working on a large construction job which involves laying a large quantity of cement, you may be thinking about hiring a concrete pump so you can cover a large area. A concrete pump will mean that you won't need to break you back shovelling wet concrete from the back of a concrete mixer, and it will allow you to complete the job at a faster rate. However, before you hire a concrete pump, it is important that you ask a few questions. Asking the right questions will help to ensure you hire the right type of pump and that it works as intended. Below is a guide to 3 questions you should ask your friendly local concrete pump supplier.
Can the pump move concrete around awkward obstacles?
A standard concrete pump can move liquid concrete down and up inclines. However, if you plan to pump concrete around obstacles such as landscaping features like fountains, trees or outdoor structures, you should double-check that the pump has the power and reach to do this. A professional concrete contractor will be able to advise you if the pump you are considering hiring will be able to do this. It will be useful if you have measurements and photographs of the obstacle.
Can the pump move the type of concrete you are working with?
Concrete is made using a mixture of water, concrete dust and other aggregates which are added to thicken the mix. Different mixes of concrete will have different consistencies. If you are pumping standard concrete for a driveway or paving area, it is likely you will be able to use a wide variety of pumps. However, if you are using thicker mixes of concrete to construct a wall or building, you may not be able to pump it using a standard concrete pump, as it will become blocked. You should let the pump rental company know which type of concrete you plan to pump so they can offer further advice.
Can the pump move concrete in cold or wet weather?
While the majority of concrete pumps can deal with day-to-day rain showers, if you plan on using a concrete pump during the winter months or during extremely wet weather, you should check its capabilities beforehand. Cold weather or excessive water can cause concrete pumps to become clogged or waterlogged.
If you would like to find out more about concrete pumping, you should contact a pump hire company like Hunter Concrete Pump Hire today.
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