Pouring The Concrete Slab

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As you can see, there is concrete being poured, through the black hose from a concrete "pump". This is usually a device that the General Contractor has in his tool box, this piece of machinery is rented, along with an operator or two as the need arises. The pumper always coordinates his arrivals at a job site with that of the concrete truck - no concrete, no need for a pump, eh? This bit of coordination from one trade to the other, or between one cement supplier and one cement-industry service provider, is rarely seen in this place.

The concrete pump operator had some trouble with his gear, when there was a delay in the arrival of a subsequent concrete delivery - the sauce (wet concrete) hardened in the tube! What a spectacle to watch as the operator scrambles, not only to save the concrete, but his "wicked expensive" concrete pumping equipment. The boss and his helper took turns sledge hammering the 3" concrete hose, as they tried desperately, against the clock, to clear the tube of the hardened gray stuff as they pumped more concrete in behind the existing. I had to leave the jobsite - the attempts - one after the other, pummel and pump, pummel and pump!

If those hoses were under warranty - and I doubt it - you can bet it is now void on those two puppies! How much abuse do the owners think can they endure, anyway?

They got it poured, level and true, by days end.