A concrete mixer is an essential tool for construction sites. They are a time and labour-efficient way to make concrete which is an integral element for almost any construction site. Powdered cement is mixed with water, gravel and sometimes sand to make a paste which will harden into concrete. In this article, we will investigate different kinds of mixers and how to reduce waste when combining concrete. We will also discuss the maintenance that is required for a concrete mixer and the safety measures that need to be in place. If you would like to learn more, continue reading this article for further information.

 

A concrete mixer is used to efficiently mix cement into concrete before it hardens during the construction process. At BS Power, we stock powered mixers fitted with reliable Honda and Baumax engines. Our extensive product catalogue includes volume ranges between 360L to 500L. The concrete mixer you need will depends on how much cement is required for your project as well as how quickly you need the cement to be mixed. The scale of your project and how often you will be using the mixer also contributes to making the correct selection. At BS Power, we value our clients’ needs and if you are unsure about what mixer would suite your needs best our friendly and experienced consultants are sure to be able to point you in the right direction.

 

 

How The Concrete Mixer Can Help Minimise Waste On A Construction Site

 

Waste is an inherent aspect of the construction industry. It is unavoidable, no matter how meticulously a project was prepared. However, good project management and proper disposal methods help reduce the amount of waste that comes with any sized construction project. Considering the finite nature of Earth’s natural resources, they should be used responsibly and consciously.

 

In construction, natural resources such as water, stone, sand, wood and even gas are needed, as such reducing waste in construction is closely related to reducing the waste of natural resources. Proper waste management also ensures a reduction in debris that goes to landfills, which can actually save the construction firm money on both materials and disposal expenses. In some cases, large quantities of concrete waste will get rejected from landfill sites and might have an additional cost associated with dumping.

 

Concrete is used in almost all aspects of construction for both small-scale and large-scale projects. Construction contributes to pollution; reducing concrete waste, recycling and reducing quantities minimises the overall waste generation and curtails a project’s carbon footprint. As constructors, we need to play our part in reducing our carbon footprints to lower greenhouse gases due to the excess production of carbon which is unavoidable when concrete is made.

 

In this section we want to highlight why reducing concrete waste is so important.

 

How To Prevent Wastage:

 

• One way to prevent wastage is by educating the crew on how much cement is needed for each batch of concrete made with a concrete mixer. This education should also extend to the ratios between water, cement powder and aggregate needed. Before measuring and using materials these numbers should be confirmed with a supervisor otherwise large amounts of water and cement might go to waste. This can ensure the correct materials are being used and that the concrete being used throughout the project is uniform and of the same strength. A concrete mixer can make the exact amount of concrete needed, as long as the correct number of materials are being used.
• When ordering cement, you should have the exact number in mind that you will need for your project. This will require precise calculations and many times may even require the use of a construction estimator who is an expert at working out the number of materials needed. It is their job to prevent initial wastage through ordering too much. This is critical when it comes to concrete as mixing more than necessary for your project will result in having to dump the excess concrete which is both costly and laborious. Furthermore, it is also good practice to always check your measurements before adding the materials to the concrete mixer. Measuring twice helps to avoid mistakes which saves the construction project time and money and avoid concrete wastage.
• Even if you have followed both steps mentioned above, there will always be concrete left over. This means that even when being cautious there will always be mixture that needs to be cleaned out of the concrete mixer and dumped. One way to reduce the environmental impact of the inevitable dumping process is to make sure you are using sustainable concrete. Check to see if the kinds of concrete you are buying are good for the environment.
• Another way you can reduce the environmental impact on your construction site is by being smart with left over materials. Concrete and other building materials can be reused and recycled. For example, drywall scraps can be used as fillers or kept for other projects, rather than just sending it straight to the landfill. Clean unused bricks and cement can be repurposed for other projects. Cement powder should also be stored with caution to ensure that if it is not used for the intended project, it can be used for the next one.
• In addition to using sustainable concrete, you can also try using new sustainable building methods such as using durable modular metal rather than using lumber or plywood formwork that will have to be thrown away and will add to waste. Durable metal can be used again and will help contribute to sustainable business practices. The kinds of products you buy should have minimal packaging and if it does come in packaging opt for recyclable packaging.
• Energy consumption rates should also be considered during the construction process. Electronic machinery should only be running when necessary. Construction machinery are powerful tools that draw a lot of energy, as such, the machines should only be turned on when they are needed and once the task is complete, they should be turned off. This is both a safety measure and an energy consumption measure.
• Consider employing a waste management plan. Waste is inevitable in building and having an outlined method of how you will deal with waste will help you consciously reduce the amount produced. Work with your suppliers to outline plans and find out if they would be willing to refund products which you do not use. This saves you money in the long run. Part of your waste management plan should be having a skip on your construction site. A skip should be used to separate waste from hardened concrete. Hardened concrete can be repurposed into gravel for future projects and can also help monitor how much concrete has not been used in your construction to keep in mind for future projects.

 

By using eco-friendly construction methods as a construction company, you are considering the future generation. As the population grows and the world rapidly changes, it is vital to practice sustainability in all aspects of business practices; in construction, this can look like being conscious about the amount of waste generated and using renewable and recyclable materials. There is a myth that moving over to sustainable construction methods is expensive. Some people don’t even consider eco-friendly methods because of the preconceived notion that it is costly. This is not true, sustainable practices such as only buying materials needed, having limited packaging, and reducing waste save money in the construction business.

 

Safety Measures And Tool Maintenance Tips

 

Safety measures and maintenance of concrete mixers are closely related to sustainable practices. Looking after any machine properly expands its lifespan and saves you time and money in the long run. A concrete mixer should be well maintained. Their engines are powered by petrol or diesel and need to be serviced as instructed. At BS Power we also offer servicing options as part of our aim to make the use of powered tools as simple as possible for our clients. Speak to one of our consultants to find out more.

 

But that is just one way to maintain your mixer, below we will review some other methods you can employ to keep your concrete mixer well maintained.

 

Towable mixers come with durable wheels; these wheels should always be inspected before it is attached to the vehicle transporting it to the site. Further, the brakes, steering and chassis should also be inspected before transport. The drum should also be in a secure position for transport.

 

A concrete mixer and other construction machinery should be stored undercover when not in use and should always be kept away from direct water contact. Water might damage the machine which can be costly to fix. When storing materials, ensure that you are aware of the conditions in which they should be kept. Powdered cement, which usually comes in bags, should be stored in a dry enclosed area. Bags of cement need to be protected from rain and should be covered with a waterproof tarpaulin if it is being stored outside. Bags of cement should not be stored on wooden or concrete floors as there is a risk of damage to the flooring. Ideally, they should be stored on a raised surface and should be protected from moisture.

 

Anyone operating the cement mixer needs to be trained before its use. This will help avoiding mistakes in the making of cement and means that materials will not go to waste. It is also important for the safety of the operator as they need to know how to correctly operate the mixer in order to avoid bodily injury. Furthermore, operators should understand how to anchor the machine correctly to prevent the mixer from rolling or tipping.

 

Workers should be wearing the correct protective gear when using the machine. This includes safety goggles, hard hats, long-sleeved and long pants made of durable material, safety boots, face shields or masks and gloves.

 

 

About BS Power

 

We at BS Power have a respectable history as we were founded 20 years ago. We value excellence and know what it takes to support professional users of construction equipment. With a line of fully trained sales and technical staff, we aim to provide for the needs of the construction, forestry and agricultural industries. We are based in Cape Town but have serviced and satisfied clients all around southern Africa, including other parts of South Africa as well as neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Swaziland.

 

At BS Power, we have extensive experience in servicing diesel- and petrol-powered engines. We stock products with trusted Honda and Baumax engines.

 

We deliver the best service and solution for our customers’ needs; whether you need a concrete mixer, water pump, chainsaw, or a generator, we have it all! Explore our website or give us a call if you are interested in finding out more.