Concrete pumping is the act of pumping liquid concrete using a concrete pump. You might need a concrete pump if you are constructing a structure using concrete. You may come across two kinds of concrete pumps: a boom pump and a line pump.
Line pumps are recommended for smaller construction projects because they pump less liquid concrete per hour. They also require more labour (they are less automated than the boom pump), meaning that if they were used for larger projects, they would require a lot of labour and working hours. A line pump consists of hoses that are linked together and attached to the liquid concrete outlet. The hose is then manually guided to where it is supposed to pour liquid concrete.
A boom pump comprises a concrete pump attached to a truck. It has an automated arm (referred to as a boom) that is used to guide liquid concrete to the desired area. A boom pump pumps a lot of liquid concrete per hour and pours it accurately with minimal labour. This is why it is recommended for larger projects.
Which Pump Should You Use?
Based on the features of the two pumps, you can tell that hiring the services of a boom pump is more expensive than a line pump. Review the size of your project to see whether you need a boom or line pump.
Concrete Pump Operators
Concrete pump operators should be competent and professional. They not only need to know how to operate a concrete pump but also how to safely use it as per the concrete pumping code of practice. A good way to tell if the operators are competent and are following the concrete pumping codes of practice is if you see at least two operators handling a concrete pump.
Quality and Reliable Concrete Pumps
Before hiring concrete pumping services, find out whether the concrete pump company is compliant to OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety) principles of inspecting and maintaining its concrete pumps. Of course, you will need to ask about its inspection and maintenance schedule and what happens in case a piece of equipment breaks down. A visual inspection of the concrete pumps can also tell whether the concrete pumps are taken care of or not; rusty or dirty-looking equipment is a bad sign.
You should also ask about the different insurance covers the company has and what they cover. A company that has different insurance covers, that is, for its equipment, workers and work activities, is reliable and reputable.
Welcome! I started this blog because I want to help homeowners to identify problems with concrete structures on their property. By quickly recognising potential issues, you will be able to take steps to repair the concrete before things go badly wrong. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to this subject, but I have learnt lots of useful things from the contractor who came out to my home to complete repairs on a concrete wall. I've also done my own research into this subject at my local library and online. I hope you find the articles published here informative. Thanks!