8 Important Things to Keep in Mind During Concrete Construction Projects

Most modern construction projects utilize concrete in some way. 

It’s a crucial building material that all construction professionals must know how to work with. 

If you have an upcoming concrete construction project, you might need help handling certain tasks, such as concrete waterproofing. 

Read on to learn about eight important things to keep in mind during concrete construction projects so you can have the best experience.

1. Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment

Before getting the concrete delivered, it’s imperative to check your equipment. Make sure that you have the right equipment that you need to handle the job.

Generally, you’ll need to use specific types of forming equipment so you can form the concrete and put it where it needs to be. Having everything good to go will make it simpler to finish the job efficiently.

2. Be Prepared for Delivery

You need to make sure that you’re ready and waiting for the concrete to be delivered. Have everyone who is working on the project ready to help get the concrete where it needs to be. 

Being unprepared can lead to delays in the project. 

To avoid mishaps, you will need to have your people prepared to handle the delivery and their tools ready to go.

3. Don’t Use Shoddy Equipment

It might be tempting to use equipment that is a little worse for wear to save money. Perhaps some of your forming equipment has seen better days. It’s not wise to use forming equipment if it’s cracked or warped because you won’t get the right results. 

So you should always check the equipment to make sure that all is well.

Don’t move forward until you give your equipment a thorough inspection. 

You need to ensure that you have the right equipment, but you must also ensure that the equipment is in good working order. Inspect your tools as well as your forming equipment just to be safe.

4. Remove Forms on Time

Forming the concrete is important, and you can’t allow it to sit in the form for too long. 

You must remove the form from the concrete around two days after pouring the concrete into the form. Don’t allow the concrete to stay in the form longer than forty-eight hours. Always hire professional concreters who know how to handle the task with expertise.

You’ll have a simpler time smoothing certain areas, but the concrete will still hold its form.

5. Waterproofing is Essential

Concrete waterproofing is essential, and you want to make sure that you’re using the right methods and products to get the job done. 

You should have someone on your team who can handle this aspect of the job. If you don’t get things right, it could jeopardize the entire project. 

So take your time to get waterproofing right, and buy the best sealant to ensure that things go smoothly.

6. Always Use Concrete Vibrators

It’s best to use concrete vibrators when handling a construction project. The vibrators help to make the concrete much more durable overall. 

Forgetting to do this isn’t wise since you want your construction project to stand the test of time. Failure to go the extra mile could lead to issues such as walls collapsing if you’re not careful.

7. Brace the Formwork

Bracing the formwork is a simple thing that you should always do. When you don’t brace the formwork, it can cause problems such as bulging. 

It’d be better to brace the formwork more than necessary just to be safe. Always err on the side of caution when handling construction projects.

8. Double-Check to Make Sure the Formwork Is Going in the Right Place

Always double-check things before pouring the concrete. After you pour the concrete into the form, you’re not going to be able to move it. So it’s best to double-check your plans and make sure that you’re proceeding the right way. 

Your last chance to make changes will be before you pour the concrete. 

Conclusion

Even the most experienced supervisors and contractors can sometimes overlook the basic specifications for working with concrete. As a project manager, you should stay on top of the process and check that the construction standards are not compromised. 

These tips will help you pay attention to the fundamentals of concrete construction works and avoid blunders at the site.