Ready-mix concrete is a type of concrete that is prepared at the manufacturing facility. This removes the need for an additional space at the construction site to prepare fresh concrete on a daily basis. While ready-mix concrete offers a lot of convenience, it is important that the construction site is ready to take delivery as well. As easy as it seems, concrete mix delivery requires a bit of planning and smart decision-making. This guide will help you manage ready-mix concrete delivery via some tried and tested tips.

Preparing For Ready-Mix Concrete Delivery

Choose The Right Contractor

It all starts with the right contractor. You won’t realize it until you end up with someone who cares least about how the concrete is delivered to the site. Although most contractors tend to be professional, you cannot rule out some that will hardly care about the quality of the concrete or how it is handled until it arrives at your doorstep.

This is why it is important to go through your options and pick someone who is licensed and certified by the state to carry out such tasks. Ready-mix concrete delivery might seem easy, but if the construction site happens to be a bit far, the contractor will have to make sure the concrete remains fresh during the process.

Inform The Team

The delivery process of the ready-mix concrete is not just limited to you or the contractor. Once the concrete reaches the sites, you will have to get a team down to work as soon as possible. The last thing you would want is the team having no idea whatsoever when the concrete is going to be delivered.

To prevent such issues, you should be in contact the supplier and inform the team accordingly. This way, if the team is already busy with some tasks on the site, they are able to complete them before the concrete arrives. Otherwise, they will be stuck between multiple tasks, which affects their mental state, causing distraction and loss of focus. Your team should be prepared for what is coming at all times.

Know What You Need

Before the concrete gets delivered to the site, you should double-check the quantity with the manufacturer. At the same time, you will need to gather the tools to receive and work with the ready-mix concrete.

The reason is that if you do not have the tools to receive the concrete, you are most probably going to end up wasting it, as it will dry very fast. On the other hand, ordering more than required is going to make it difficult for you to handle the excessive amount.

But, if the quantity comes out less than required, you will need to immediately request the manufacturer to send some more concrete, as it will make things a bit difficult to manage. To avoid such situations, you should request the manufacturer to send a representative to the site to determine the amount of concrete that is going to be needed.

Clear The Site

This is perhaps the most important part of the entire process. The construction site is an extremely busy place. With multiple teams working on different tasks and equipment and tools lying around, even a minor mistake could cause serious damage.

Instead of clearing the site and removing obstacles just when the truck from the concrete supplier Potomac arrives, you should task the team to remove any obstacles or hurdles that might impede the delivery process. You will also need to make sure the entry gate is big enough for the truck to move in safely.

In addition to that, the power lines and other important factors will need consideration to keep things safe and secure when the site is already being worked on.

Ensure Safety

Construction sites, are extremely busy places, means they are dangerous and risky as well. Even a small mistake could lead to significant losses, including human lives. This is why construction sites need to follow strict safety protocols to ensure every task, regardless of being small or big, is done in the safest way.

Before the concrete is delivered to the site, you should ensure the team is wearing protective equipment and the area has safety measures in place to protect the surroundings as well. You wouldn’t want someone to accidentally fall into the concrete or the concrete accessing sensitive areas. Be sure to plan out the delivery process and keep a close eye on the regulations.

Clear The Pouring Site

You might think that ready-mix concrete can be poured anywhere at the construction site, but that is not the case. You will need to find an area away from the main site to avoid causing disturbance. Once the area has been decided, you will need to remove any stones, concrete blocks, or other obstacles that could interfere with the pouring process.

You cannot pour concrete directly over dirt, dust, or muddy terrain. You will need to put in some effort and prepare the area for concrete delivery in the future as well. At the same time, the ground should be prepared as well and made free of organic matter like roots and grass.

The temperature and weather conditions also impact the delivery process. If it’s too cold, you will need to prepare frost blankets. But, if it’s hot, dampen the storage area to keep moisture from evaporating. And, avoid pouring during rain or extreme temperatures. You should follow these practices even if you need concrete in smaller amount and for building an outdoor structure like a patio or pool.

Gather The Essentials

Handling concrete delivery requires using essential tools and equipment. If you wait for the last hour, it is possible that the team forgets something and the entire delivery process is stalled. Construction sites rely on strict deadlines, and there is hardly any room for ignorance or irresponsibility.

You should ensure the team has gathered and assembled the essentials at least a day before the concrete is supposed to arrive. This will help the team relax as well when it is time to deal with the concrete.

Check The Concrete Quality

Before the concrete is poured, you should ask an expert to check the concrete for quality while it sits in the delivery truck. The reason is that if the quality is not up to the mark, you can send the concrete back without having to worry about it being poured and not being able to do anything about it.

Furthermore, ready-mix concrete can be expensive based on the additives and preferences of the client. Since you are paying for high-quality concrete, you should expect the same in return. Some suppliers or manufacturers tend to save money, knowing their quality won’t be questioned.

However, it is your responsibility to make sure the concrete quality is exactly what you ordered and needed.

Conclusion

The process of preparing for ready mix concrete delivery Silver Spring requires paying attention and focusing on safety measures. The tips mentioned above are industry standards and protocols that every construction site is expected to follow. That said, take your time and have your team and the site prepared for safe concrete deliveries.