4 Things You Need to Know to Help Your Concrete Project Go without a Hitch
Your concrete projects can't always wait until summer, and you may be in the middle of a big concrete project when the weather decides to up and turn cold on you with little to no warning. Whatever the case may be, dealing with concrete in cold weather is not easy. This is especially true if you are performing a concrete project in a high location or a hard-to-access place and require the services of a concrete pump truck. There are many things that can go wrong if the proper precautions are not implemented ahead of time. So, here is what you need to know about concrete pumping in the winter (or at least in the colder weather):
1. Make Sure HOT Water Is Used during the Mixing Process.
The first and most obvious concern is keeping the concrete from freezing while being delivered and while it's waiting to be pumped and poured. To help reduce the risk of the concrete freezing, it should be mixed with exceedingly hot water.
2. Make Sure the Boom Pipeline Is Insulated.
The most common way to insulate the boom pipeline is to wrap a piece of foam tube insulation around the pipe and tape it together. By having foam firmly placed around the pipeline, the concrete will flow as efficiently and effectively as possible. This is true even when it is freezing outside because the material will help keep the cold out and the heat in.
3. Make Sure to Continuously Pump the Concrete.
Once the concrete pump truck has started pumping the concrete, it is crucial that the process is not interrupted. If it is, there is more of a chance of the concrete freezing at some point in the line.
4. Make Sure to Have Heat Sources to Keep the Equipment and Concrete Warm.
In addition to the above, you need to keep all of your equipment warm. Everything needs to be kept at temperatures above freezing. This includes embedments and forms, which can be covered with tarps. To keep equipment and the pipeline warm, you can utilize blankets and heaters, such as hydronic heating systems. Although expensive, you could use heated enclosures. Windbreaks can also be made to sufficiently keep the wind away from the concrete as it is poured and as it sets.
When it comes to concrete pumping during cold weather, there is a lot at stake. If the operators are not conscious of their surroundings, the job will not be executed successfully. Therefore, you need to be just as aware of what's going on as they are. The aforementioned information will help you ensure that your concrete project is a success. However, when all else fails and your concrete truck freezes up and breaks down, you can contact an industrial repair service for their expert assistance.
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