Tips for Pumping in Colder Weather

Operating a concrete pump in cold weather presents various challenges and hazards at the job site.? Not only do you need to be aware of the typical problems that can arise, but now you have to be prepared to handle even more safety concerns and threats against your equipment.? Here are some tips, tricks, and admixtures that can help make your next cold-weather concrete pumping job just a little less complicated.??

No Frozen Concrete

One of the main concerns when working with concrete in cold weather is that the water in the mix will freeze. If concrete freezes in either the hopper or the boom of a concrete pump, it creates significant headaches for the job.? The pump will have to be removed from the job to somewhere warm to allow the concrete to thaw out.? Once the concrete has thawed, it can’t be reused.? So not only will a new pump have to be brought in to finish the job, but a whole new load of concrete will need to be batched as well.?

So, how do you keep the concrete from freezing inside the pump???

First, you want to make sure you don’t skip the prime. As concrete moves through the boom, the pipe can absorb water from the mix.? Not only does this slow down the movement of the concrete, but it also lowers the temperature of the pipe. This significantly increases the risk that the concrete will freeze inside the pump.? Using a high-viscosity primer, like our Slick-Pak or Slick-Pak II, reduces the friction in the boom and lowers the water absorbed by the pipe.? This allows the concrete to move through the pipe quickly and helps maintain the temperature of the pipe.? You could even use the primer to preheat the pipes by mixing the product with warm or hot water.?

The second thing you can do to reduce the risk of concrete freezing during the pumping process is to reduce the amount of water in the mix. The water molecules are what react with the cold air to freeze the concrete.? So it stands to reason that less water lowers the risk of freezing.? Adding a superplasticizer to the concrete is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to reduce water content in the concrete, but it should be something that is factored into the mix design.? So be sure to work with the ready-mix company to make sure the load is prepared for the cold weather.

Be Safe

Operating a concrete pump on the job site in cold weather also presents some significant safety risks that are not normally part of the equation.? Icy conditions can make it difficult to find the right place to set up the pump.? So thorough walk-through of the job is highly recommended.? Ice also presents a hazard for you the operator, and your crew.? So be sure to slow down, wear shoes with good traction, and pay extra attention to where you are placing your feet.? Slips or falls on the ice can result in serious injuries.? You also need to be cautious when handling the pipes or clamps, as they can accumulate ice throughout the job.?

Be Aware of Your Equipment

While it is common practice around the globe to operate concrete pumps in extreme temperatures, not all pumps are manufactured to withstand these types of weather conditions.? So before you pull your pump out for the job, check with the manufacturer's specs.? If the pump was not made to withstand freezing temperatures, exposure could result in cracks in the steel pipes.

Learn More

To find out more about working with cold-weather concrete, and how our concrete admixtures can help, visit us online at fritzpak.com.? Don’t forget to follow our social media channels for more information about how our products can improve your concrete.