What is Concrete Pumping?
Working in the construction industry or a DIY enthusiast, you probably know that manually pouring concrete into place is hard work. It takes a lot of manpower and a long time. This is why concrete pumping is becoming a go-to solution for getting concrete in the right place. But what is concrete pumping?
The basics of it are that large pumps transfer the material from the volumetric or drum mixer truck to the project site. It is quick, easy and efficient, saving time, money and manual labour - positives for any project.
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we provide trustworthy concrete pump services and hire across the South Coast. With a fleet of boom and line pumps, we are equipped to tackle any project, no matter what size. We are passionate about making life easier for you with reliable concrete pumping services.
In this blog, we share everything you need to know about what concrete pumping is.
What is Concrete Pumping?
Concrete pumping is using machinery to push concrete or liquid screed through a set of pipes from the mixing or transport vehicle to the project site.
It differs from concrete pouring because it is predominantly done through the equipment, whereas pouring requires labourers to ferry wheelbarrows or the like to and from where it is mixed or stored to the site.
Pumping is far more efficient and, for most projects, more cost-effective, making it a preferred option for most people.
Typically, you will find concrete pumping on larger-scale projects or where there are obstacles that make getting the concrete from point A to point B a challenge (for example, a row of terrace houses). However, pumping can be used for smaller, simple jobs to save time.
How Does Concrete Pumping Work?
Now you know what concrete pumping is, it's time to understand how it works.
It is quite simple because the machine does most of the work.
- Your desired concrete design mix is produced in a mix-on-site truck, or ready-mix concrete is transported via a drum mixer.
- Operators connect a pump to the truck and set up the line or boom pump.
- At the press of a button, concrete is pumped from the mixer truck through the network of pipes to the designated area.
- Sometimes, there might be a need for manual levelling (most concrete designs will flow within the space, covering it all and self-levelling).
Once the required amount has been pumped, operators will tidy up and leave the concrete to cure.
Types of Concrete Pumps
There are two types of concrete pumping available: boom pumps and line pumps.
Boom Pumps
Boom pumps are robotic arms that lift over obstacles.
Because they are able to extend up and over large objects, such as houses, they are often used to get concrete or liquid screed into hard-to-reach locations.
The arms are often referred to as booms, hence the name boom pumps.
Boom pumps can often be paired with line pipe to extend its reach, so you can get concrete over an obstacle and along the floor to your project area.
Line Pumps
The other type of concrete pumping is using a line pump. These are pipes that connect together and sit on the ground.
They are used to go around or through obstacles.
Typically, these will be used for smaller projects, such as on a residential DIY project or on driveways.
This solution is highly flexible because you can add as many hoses as you need to reach the area where you need concrete placed. Plus, because they don't extend up and out, they are often used where there are height restrictions such as trees, or powerlines.
Key Benefits of Concrete Pumping
So, what are the benefits of concrete pumping?
- Increased efficiency - time taken to get concrete where you need it is faster, reducing labour time and costs.
- Greater precision - pumps provide more precise placement of the concrete, especially in tight or complex areas and the control over continuous pouring means greater control of when to stop so you don't overpour.
- Reach difficult areas - boom pipes and line pumps can work together to reach areas that otherwise might not be reachable with manual pouring.
- Improved safety - pumping minimises manual handling and work, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing site safety.
Concrete Pumping vs. Traditional Concrete Pouring
| Feature | Concrete pumping | Traditional pouring |
| Speed | Quick, continuous flow and faster completion. | Manual transportation that is stop and start. |
| Precision | Controlled and precise placement. | Limited control over placement increasing uneven or excess pouring. |
| Manpower requirements | Requires fewer men, and highly trained operators will work the equipment. | More workers needed to transport the material and place it. |
| Suitability for Project Size | Suitable for all projects but mainly used on large-scale constructions. | Better suited for small-scale projects, such as residential projects. |
| Efficiency in complex areas | Able to navigate obstacles without disturbing surrounding areas. | Manual placement can be hard in tight or complex spaces. |
| Consistency of mix | Continuous flow ensures uniformity in the mix consistency across the pour. | Concrete can settle or segregate in transport affecting the design mix consistency. |
| Cost-effectiveness | Cost-effective for large projects as it saves labour costs and material waste. | Lack of equipment rental costs can make it a cheaper option, so is more cost-effective for smaller jobs. |
How to Hire a Concrete Pump in the UK
Concrete pump hire in the UK is easy, all you need to do is contact a concrete pumping supplier, such as us (wink wink, nudge nudge) and share details of your project.
They can work with you to book a date for their assistance, and on the day their team of operators will turn up with all the equipment needed ready to pump the concrete into place.
Most concrete pumping companies are also able to offer concrete production, providing an all-in-one service so that you can save time and energy working with two lots of contractors - at least, this is what 2 Brothers Concrete and Pumping does (if you didn't guess by the name).
Don't worry, you won't need to know what type of pump you need, as the experts will be able to recommend the right solution for your project when they know more about it.
Things to consider before opting to hire a concrete pump include:
- Project size
- Location of project
- Pump reach
- Surrounding area
- Potential obstacles
- Project budget
Concrete Pump Hire with 2 Brothers
Hopefully, in this blog, we have answered your question "What is concrete pumping", so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not it would be the best way to get concrete to your project site.
With two types of pumps, boom and line, they offer flexibility and ease, as well as efficiency and precision.
If you are unsure if concrete pumping is right for your project, don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today.
We will be able to answer any questions you might have about the process and work with you to figure out which concrete pumping (if any) solution will be best for you.
Why choose us? Because at 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we offer a complete concrete service, meaning we can also supply the concrete and liquid screed so you only have to deal with our friendly team rather than two lots of contractors. It can't get any easier than that.
Call us today on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form and we will give you a call back to learn more about your project and what you need.
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