What to Consider When Ordering Concrete Pump Hire
When using concrete on a project, concrete pump hire makes getting concrete from the truck to the site easier and hassle-free. A pump will place the concrete more accurately, saving manpower as you won't need several men going back and forth with wheelbarrows of concrete. However, before ordering a concrete pump, there are a few things you need to consider.
Considerations such as where the truck will be set up on-site, obstacles above that might stop a boom from extending and site access need to be made when ordering a concrete pump, as these could prevent the concrete from being laid and cause delays.
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we specialise in concrete pump hire and provide the South Coast with reliable and professional concrete solutions. We are experts at everything concrete, including what needs to be thought about when hiring a pump. In this blog, we share the checklist we run through when someone is ordering a concrete pump from us.
Understanding Your Project Requirements
The first place to start when hiring a concrete pump will be the project itself.
You will need to consider the scope and size of your project because if it is a small pond in a residential back garden, hiring a pump might not be cost-effective.
However, a large construction project that is going to need a large volume of concrete should almost definitely use a concrete pump for efficiency.
Concrete pumps can help you reach as far as you need them, as we can design a solution using a combination of boom and line pumps, so they are ideal for large-scale projects.
Once you have decided that a concrete pump is needed, you will need to think about which pump type you will need.
For projects that are at the back of a building or higher up, a boom pump will be needed. Where there is a through route or a route around an obstacle, a line pump might be more suitable.
Site Access and Preparation
Concrete pump trucks aren't small vehicles, so you will need to ensure there is plenty of space for them on your site. Even once they have arrived, they will need space to manoeuvre and set up.
If you are hiring a boom pump, the arm will extend up from the vehicle and over an obstacle, so you will need to make sure there is vertical space for this. This means no trees or wires in the way. If your site is near trees or wires, we might need to use a line pump instead, so it is important to check these factors before ordering a concrete pump hire.
These trucks can be heavy, so you will need to ensure the ground is stable and solid so that it will be able to withstand the weight of the trucks, especially under the movement of the pump arms.
Permits and Regulations
There are a number of permits that you might need depending on where the work is taking place.
If the pump equipment is set up on a public road or pathway, you will likely need a Street Works Permit from the local council to ensure the work will not pose any danger to the public in the area.
If the work is being completed by any watercourses or sensitive environmental areas (for example, the New Forest), you might need an environmental permit from the Environment Agency to ensure that concrete pumping activities do not harm the environment.
Of course, if you are constructing a new building or adding to your existing property in a way that goes beyond your Permitted Development Rights, you will also need to have applied for planning permission.
Planning for Safety
Safety will be at the top of your mind throughout a project, and when it comes to concrete pumping, it will be no different.
Our operatives will work the pumping equipment, setting it up and running it. However, we will collaborate with you and your team to ensure they are all safe while assisting us.
Coordination and Communication
For your project to go smoothly, no matter what size, you will need to consider the timeframe for it and make sure everything is coordinated. Concrete will need about a month to completely cure, so consider this when creating a timeline and hiring a concrete pump.
Of course, you will need to schedule the concrete pump to arrive at the same time as the concrete for an efficient use of time and to avoid concrete becoming too dry or unworkable. Alternatively, you could order concrete from us and have a complete solution with one company to prevent any timing issues. Our ready-mix trucks allow us to produce the exact concrete design you need on-site and transfer it onto our pump, making it a smooth and easy process.
Weather Conditions
More often than not, the weather conditions won't prevent concrete from being pumped as long as you are prepared for it.
Weather does impact the curing of the concrete, particularly hot weather, which can weaken the concrete. However, if you have steps in place to combat this, then we can work in most weather conditions.
Get Advice From Our Experts
There is a lot that needs to be considered when hiring a concrete pump, from weather conditions to site accessibility and space to permits and safety.
The team at 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping are pumping specialists, providing this service day in and day out. With this, they run through a consideration checklist with customers all the time and know the process like the back of their hands.
If you are looking to hire a concrete pump but aren't sure whether it is right for your project or which pump to hire, get in touch with our team, and we can help you work it out.
From getting to know your project, site and goals and discussing the above considerations, we will determine the best pump solution.
Call us on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form for a callback.
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