How Does Concrete Pumping Work?

Getting concrete to a pour site can sometimes be challenging, especially when the mix is needed at a height or in hard-to-reach areas. Concrete pumping is a modern solution that helps make this easier. 

While wheelbarrowing is the traditional way of moving concrete, this can be slow and labour-intensive, not to mention the risk of spilling the mix is increased. With this in mind, concrete pumping is often the best way to pour concrete. 

At Chorley Concrete, we offer a comprehensive concrete pump hire service to our clients in Wigan, Chorley, Preston, Manchester and the surrounding areas, making it easier for you to get concrete from A to B. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how concrete pumping works.

How does concrete pumping work?

Concrete pumping is the most efficient way of pouring concrete. It sees concrete placed directly at the required location, without having to use wheelbarrows, which can often be impractical. 

Once you have ordered your concrete mix, it is delivered to your site in one of our volumetric mixer trucks. Pumps are then connected to the truck, and the concrete is moved through them. The exact manner in which this occurs will depend on the type of pump you have selected, and we’ll go into more detail on this in the next section. 

Concrete pumping means that concrete can be quickly and easily poured right where it’s needed, even if this location is hard to reach. Some common examples of when concrete pumping is required include: 

• High-rise buildings
• Basements
• Tunnels
• Bridges
• Foundations 
• Any area where access is restricted 

Types of concrete pumps 

There are two main types of concrete pumps:

• Boom pumps – These pumps are mounted on a truck and come with an extendable arm known as the boom. These pumps can reach up to 56 metres in height, making them the perfect choice for projects that are working at a height, such as high-rise buildings, or if the mix needs to be lifted over obstacles. 

• Line pumps – These pumps use a series of flexible hoses that are laid out along the ground to the pour site. Our pumps can reach up to 120m in length, and they’re easy to manoeuvre around a site and through small gaps.  

The advantages of concrete pumping 

There is a wide range of benefits of concrete pumping. These include: 

• Speed and efficiency – Concrete pumping helps place concrete much faster than the traditional methods.

• Access hard-to-reach areas – Concrete can be pumped over, around and even through obstacles. 

• Reduced labour – The use of concrete pumps requires less manual handling and negates the need for wheelbarrows. 

• Less waste – Your concrete will be placed exactly where it’s needed, and there is no risk of spilling it, meaning less waste. 

Why choose Chorley Concrete for concrete pumping 

At Chorley Concrete, we have spent more than a decade supplying concrete to both domestic and commercial customers. When you partner with us for your concrete pumping needs, you’ll receive:

• Same/next day deliveries – We offer fast turnarounds for those urgent jobs. 

• Local company – As a family-run company, we’re proud to serve the local community in Chorley and the surrounding areas.

• Only pay for what you use: Minimise waste and keep costs down.

• Experienced team – Our skilled technicians will ensure safe and efficient use of concrete pumps.

For more information or to book concrete pumping, get in touch with our team today.