How to Prevent Blockage in Your Pump During Concrete Pumping

One of the major problems that you are likely to face during a concrete pumping project is line blockage. This occurs when the concrete mix fails to come out of the end of the pipeline. This problem can cause significant delays in your project and result in losses; therefore, it is essential to understand what causes it and how you can prevent it. Here are some of the top causes of blockage in a concrete pump's line and the measures that you can take to avoid them.

Poor choice of pump components

Using the wrong parts for your pumping system can result in blockage after feeding the mix into the pump. An incorrectly sized system with a pump and motor horsepower that cannot accommodate the project will lead to problems. Additionally, if the bends in the system are too short or too sharp, they will hinder a smooth flow of the mix through the line. Ensure that you have the right concrete pump and components for the job. Ensure that the pump's capacity can handle the amount of concrete mix that you want to pump. Also, make sure that the motor has adequate horsepower to dispense the mix through the line.

A clogged pipeline

Simple issues such as cleaning a concrete pump are often ignored during large concreting projects, but they can result in major problems such as line blockage. If the line isn't cleaned after a previous project, the dry concrete mix inside will block the passageways. This will make it hard for the fresh blend to be appropriately dispensed by the system. Before commencing a concrete pumping project, ensure that the line and other parts of the pump are clean to avoid blockage.

Poor choice of aggregate

When the wrong aggregates are chosen for the mix, they will present a problem during pumping and also after installation of the structure. For instance, poor choice of sand for the combination will cause water to bleed. Additionally, choosing the wrong concrete that does not hold water will also cause blockage during the pumping stage as the concrete may begin to set and become too hard to pump. Make sure that you have quality aggregates for the concrete mix. Also, do not leave the mix out for so long as this will cause it to dry prematurely. Always make sure that there are no delays or inconveniences which will hinder the pumping process once the aggregates have been mixed.

Concrete pumping is not an easy project as it requires time consciousness and precision to ensure that the mix is in the right state for pumping. Follow these tips to avoid blockage issues in your pumping line. However, if a blockage occurs, locate the clog, break the line, and clear it before proceeding with the project.