• All ground preparation should be completed ready for infill with concrete. This includes any required temporary access e.g. barrow ramps, running boards.
• You should have all tools and equipment on hand to complete the job. Each job is different but generally you will need a selection of the following,
o Wheelbarrows (we can supply two for you to use FOC)
o Shovels and rakes
o Tamping / striking beam
o Wood float and / or steel trowel
o Vibrating poker - for working concrete around steel mesh or to aid compaction.
o Dumper truck
o Polythene sheeting for curing.
• The driver will discuss what, where and how you intend to get the concrete into place. In terms of access the driver must not compromise safety to persons or property and will only enter site or park in such a way that doesn't conflict with safety.
• Ensure you have enough labour on site to complete the delivery in the allotted time. As an example: Client purchases 3.0m3 and intends to wheel barrow it from the road 30m to the rear of his property. We would normally allocate 30 minutes on site. To achieve this the client will need to have two men constantly wheel barrowing and 1 / 2 men, depending on their energy levels! actually spreading and generally levelling the concrete ready for actually finishing once we have left site. We like to reasonable on site and don't work to 5 minutes. However, as we hope you understand, we need to maintain our delivery schedules for the next clients and we can only be flexible to a point. Charges for standing time are set at £60.00 + Vat per hour, charged in minimum 30 minute intervals.
• Spread the concrete between the formwork, working from the rear of the site and avoiding the heavy wheel barrows having to push through wet concrete. It is advisable to obtain a level approx 10mm above your formwork to give you some materials to work with.
• Initially compact the concrete with your tamping / striking beam by lifting and striking the beam onto the wet concrete moving forward as you work. This is normally a two man job.
• To achieve the final level 'saw' the beam from side to side moving forward as you work. Remove any excess concrete as you work with a rake to avoid unnecessary hard work.
• To achieve your final finish you need to consider the final use of the concrete. There are 4 main finish types,
Tamped
Provides a rough, anti slip finish normally used on slopes, paths, drives and external areas.
Steel Float
Where a smooth, dense finish is needed e.g. house and garage floors.
Wood or plastic float
Provides a smooth, lightly textured finish suitable for paths, garages and general floors.
Brush
Suitable for 'higher specification' drives, paths, roadways etc where a finer, more decorative finish is preferred to a general tamp finish.
