When there are cold weather conditions, a number of issues can arise when pumping concrete. This is why insulating concrete boom pipes is essential. Without insulation, the slurry mixture can freeze inside of the pipes and deem them unusable and in need of replacing. Replacing a boom pipe will take the concrete truck out of commission for the rest of the job – therefore slowing down progress and costing time and money until a new boom pipe is installed onto the truck.
To prevent a boom pipe from freezing up, insulation is vital. There are two ways to go about it: DIY solutions or purchasing a wrap.
These are the two most important things you need to know when insulating a boom:
DIY Alternatives that don't work
Insulating a concrete boom pipe can be time consuming when trying a do-it-yourself solution. There are two common methods: bubble wrap and foam insulation.
Bubble Wrap
The bubble wrap method is comparable to wrapping up glass dishes when moving. All you need is bubble wrap and duct tape. First, you measure the length of the boom pipe, cut the bubble wrap to length, wrap the bubble wrap around the boom pipe, and then you duct tape it on.
There are a few issues with this method:
- Bubble wrap is unreliable and easily damaged. The wrap can rip or be punctured, and the duct tape will not be able to hold up against the winter weather if snow seeps into the tape and causes it to fall off.
- Bubble wrap is time consuming to install - it can take hours to wrap up a boom pipe.
- Bubble wrap is not designed to protect pipes from the elements.
- Bubble wrap doesn’t insulate well. Due to it being an economical solution, it does not insulate properly and isn’t designed to stand the test of time. It only last for one cold season (if that) and will need to be removed when warm weather sets in.
Adding a layer of saran
Adding saran wrap before adding bubble wrap is supposed to provide an extra layer of protection for the pipes so they are not as easily damaged from the bubble wrap rubbing onto the boom pipe while it is in use. Adding a layer of saran adds additional time to installing the bubble wrap. The entire process is time consuming and money draining.
Foam
A second method is using foam for pipe insulation. Its downfalls are similar to bubble wrap.
Foam insulation:
- Can fall apart while installing.
- Can be damaged by all kinds of weather; especially rain, ice, and melting snow.
- Takes hours to install due to cutting the foam to size and duct taping the foam on.
- Is held on by duct tape, which water can easily leak through.
Both foam and bubble wrap have similar setbacks - lengthy installation times, significant effort to install, and lack of durability and longevity. In contrast, boom pipe wrap is a cost-effective and long lasting solution to temperature change woes.
Boom pipe insulation That's built to last
Boom Pipe Wrap
Boom Pipe Wrap is designed to protect and insulate a boom pipe in every season. It is built from a rugged, non-breathable, poly-vinyl coated nylon outer shell to protect the pipe from water, moisture, and abrasion. The outer shell also features a high-density polyethylene foam to regulate the concrete's temperature, no matter the ambient conditions.
This wrap also features:
- Military hook-and-loop enclosure
- Insulated elbows
- Easy installation
- Flexible and durable cover
- Abrasion Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Moisture Resistance
- And more!
The Boom Pipe Wrap can fit on any part of the boom pipe with ease. There is no need for duct tape, extra foam, or rolls of bubble wrap to keep concrete and slurry at an optimal temperature throughout critical jobs. The military hook and loop enclosure can withstand all weather conditions and ensure the wrap will stay on while the boom pipe is at work or sitting in a facility.
One roll of boom pipe wrap lasts for years, and takes 20 minutes to install with two workers. That means less costs in the long run for labor, and for equipment maintenance. See how it's done:
Why Boom Pipe Wrap?
Boom Pipe Wrap is a reliable solution that saves time, money, and keeps concrete at an optimal temperature in all four seasons. That means once the boom pipe wrap is installed, it can stay on even when the temperatures rise. Extreme heat and extreme cold weather are unable to penetrate this wrap. Contact our team of experts to learn more about our wrap and what it can do for your business.
