A concrete slurry moves through a hose during the preliminary phase of a concrete pumping project. Next, a concrete contractor will guide a pump hose as they dispense a concrete mixture. These steps support consistency throughout the concrete installation process.
Materials A Contractor Uses
- Mechanical or hydraulic pump
- Water hose
- Slurry mixture
- Concrete forms
- Pump hose
- Water reducer
- Skimmer
The Beginning Steps
A concrete pump uses a mechanical or hydraulic driven motor. The pump releases an even mixture of cement, water, and fine aggregates that have been blended together. A concrete contractor will need to flush out the hose line, before dispensing concrete. This requires that a slurry mixture be pushed through the hose.
The slurry will coat the interior walls of a hose and will bind with the concrete mixture that will be pushed through the hose. Concrete forms are laid out during the beginning of a project too. The forms will act as barriers and prevent concrete spillovers. Forms will aid with creating a concrete surface that is consistent in height and width.
A Water Reducer
The characteristics of concrete are greatly influenced by the amount of water that is added to cement and aggregate materials. A concrete contractor may use a water reducer when preparing concrete. The purpose of reducing water is to support an even distribution of the concrete and to slow the settling rate of the concrete.
A contractor may administer some of the concrete prior to aiming the hose into the concrete form barrier that has been laid out. The concrete will be dispensed from the hose and settled onto a test surface. A contractor will determine if the consistency of the concrete is adequate.
The Hose Control Process
Hose control will support an even application of concrete. When a pumper's motor is engaged, the mechanical or hydraulic parts of the equipment may vibrate. Excessive force can be felt as a hose is gripped. A contractor may tuck the hose between their legs. This will allow them to maintain control of the hose. The dispenser that is on the end of the hose will stick out and be aimed toward the area where concrete is being added.
A contractor may slowly shuffle their feet and move their body as they distribute concrete along the area where concrete forms are located. The slow and calculated movements of their feet will prevent the hose from loosening between their legs. After all of the concrete has been applied, a contractor may use a hand skimmer to smooth the surface of the wet concrete.
