Concrete pumping is a quick and cost effective method to lay concrete over a large surface. However, concrete pumps can become blocked, slowing down the operation and causing costly delays on your construction site. Below are 3 common causes of blockages during concrete pumping.
Bad Mix
If the sand and water is added in the wrong quantities during the mixing of the concrete, it can lead to a bad mix. A mix will cause water to bleed out, which causes the concrete mix to separate. This can lead to the pumping lines becoming clogged with particles. These blockages will take time to clear. To avoid this problem, you need to check each batch of concrete which is added to the pipe to ensure it is correctly mixed.
Delayed Pumping
Another common cause of blockages is delayed pumping of the concrete. If the pipes are not set up before the concrete is mixed, or if the cement mixer is late arriving at your site, the concrete may began to set. The hardened concrete will attach itself to the inside of the pipes and narrow the flow. This places additional pressure on the pumping system, increasing the chance of further blockages. You should ensure that the pipes are set out and connected and that the pump is primed for action before you begin to mix and add the concrete.
Incorrectly Configured Pipeline and Pump
When you are buying or hiring a concrete pump for your construction site, the first thing you should consider is the length of pipe you will require to pump the concrete to its final location. This will help you to work out the size of motor you require to effectively pump a certain volume of concrete the required distance. If the pump is underpowered, the chance of a pipeline blockage increases as the slow moving concrete is likely to begin to set while still in the pipe.
When laying out the system of pipes, you should try to minimise the number of bends. A large number of bends can increase the chances that concrete will become stuck at these points. You should also check that the pipe in completely clear of bits of old mud or concrete before you begin pumping, as these may detach from the side of the pipe and cause a blockage.
If you wish to hire a concrete pump, you should contact a professional concrete pumping service like Hunter Concrete Pump Hire.
