Beautiful, durable concrete can make or break a project. It doesn’t matter if you’re a landscape contractor pouring a simple steppingstone or a construction crew pouring an entire foundation, setting concrete correctly can mean the difference between a happy customer or wasting thousands on costly rework.
The key to durable concrete is removing excess air. Having too much air in your mixture can lead to anything from an ugly finish to dangerous weak spots.
A quick way to get rid of troublesome air bubbles is to rent a concrete vibrator. In this article, you’ll explore how to use a concrete vibrator so you can make sure your next concrete project is level, sturdy and free of imperfections.
What Is a Concrete Vibrator Used For?
Air gets trapped in wet concrete during mixing and pouring, forming large, unevenly distributed air pockets. These air pockets can reduce the strength and stability of concrete as it dries.
Concrete vibrators are motorized pieces of equipment that release the trapped air by shaking — or vibrating — the mixture hundreds of times per second. When the air is released, the mixture becomes denser and stronger.
A concrete vibrator only needs to run for a short time, usually 5 to 15 seconds. During vibration, bubbles will rise to the surface of the wet concrete and pop. When the bubbles stop and the surface is smooth, vibration is complete.
Why Rent a Concrete Vibrator?
For many residential and commercial concrete pouring projects, having a concrete vibrator is essential. In some areas, the building codes may require using vibration to consolidate concrete.
Every job is different, so renting can be an ideal way to get the right types of concrete vibrators for each job. Renting also lets you take advantage of the latest technology without the hassle and cost of buying, storing and replacing your own fleet of equipment.
Every successful project requires a safe and compliant job site. In the next section, you’ll learn the top tips for getting the most value and best results from your concrete vibrator rental.
5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Concrete Vibrator Rental
If you’re considering adding a concrete vibrator to your next project, use the tips below to make sure you secure the right type of equipment to get the best results.
1. Start With the Right Type for Your Project
The type of concrete vibrator that’s best for your project will depend on what you’re pouring, how thick the concrete will be and what type of power supply is available on the jobsite.
Local building codes and the engineering requirements of your project may specify if the vibration needs to be internal (from the inside out) or external (from the outside in). Additionally, if there is no electricity available, you’ll need a gas- or battery-powered model.
Types of Concrete Vibrators:
- Internal Concrete Vibrators: Internal, or immersion, vibrators are best for thicker concrete, as they can vibrate deeper into the pour. These vibrators have a motorized wand that’s inserted into wet concrete and sends vibrations through the mixture from the inside out.
- Surface Concrete Vibrators: Surface vibrators, also known as screed vibrators, have a vibrating bar that skims across the top of a pour. They create a very smooth surface and are best for shallow pours. However, you can still use them alongside an internal vibrator for concrete that’s more than 6 inches deep.
- Table and Form Vibrators: Table vibrators and form vibrators offer external vibration for precast concrete, such as countertops and walls. They attach to the outside of the form.
2. Create Back Up Plans and Rent Quality Equipment
Remember, concrete dries on its own timeline, and it won’t wait for you to get replacement equipment if the vibrator breaks. It’s important to have enough concrete vibrators to tackle the whole pour in a timely fashion. This will help you avoid uneven results and costly rework.
Renting additional concrete vibrators for a large or quick-drying project will help you avoid uneven results and costly rework if something breaks down.
Plan ahead and contact a reliable equipment rental provider early. They can help you create backup plans and secure the best rental terms.
3. Learn How to Use a Concrete Vibrator Safely to Avoid Costly Damage and Injuries
Working with concrete vibrators comes along with all the normal hazards of working with concrete, such as loud noise, dust and particulates. The vibrations may also affect an operator’s balance, grip and endurance.
Review your model’s instruction manual and ask your rental provider for equipment operation and safety training.
Also make sure everyone who works with and near the vibrator has proper safety equipment.
- Gloves: You should always wear gloves to avoid contact with wet concrete. Plus, they can help you keep your grip on a vibrating machine.
- Footwear and Fall Protection: Concrete pour sites can be slippery and using a concrete vibrator may affect the operator’s balance. Make sure operators have sturdy, non-slip footwear. If using vibrating equipment at height, have fall protection equipment in place.
- Eye Protection: Concrete vibrators can cause wet concrete and aggregate to splash, so anyone working near the vibrator needs to wear safety glasses.
- Hearing Protection: Concrete vibrators can be very loud. If site noise reaches 85 decibels or more, OSHA requires employers to implement hearing conservation measures.
- Hard hat: The vibrations can extend to things nearby, causing objects to fall. If there are objects or equipment above the area, such as tools on a shelf, wear a hard hat.
4. Don’t Over-Vibrate the Concrete
Overdoing anything can have negative results, and vibrating concrete is no different. Over-vibrating concrete can damage the equipment and cause the water in the mixture to separate from the cement. If the mixture separates, the concrete will lose its integrity.
- Do not vibrate wet concrete for longer than necessary, usually 5 to 15 seconds.
- If using an internal vibrator, keep it vertical and insert it in an even pattern at regular intervals.
- Watch the surface. Stop as soon as the surface becomes shiny and the air bubbles stop.
5. But Don’t Under-Vibrate the Concrete, Either
Think Goldilocks. Under-vibrating can leave air pockets behind, which is exactly what you don’t want. If you don’t get all the air out, you risk having weaker concrete and more costly rework.
The important thing to watch out for is bubbles on the surface. If bubbles are still coming out, go a little longer. If they have stopped, then it’s time to move on to the next section.
If you’re using a form vibrator, you might also be using low-slump concrete. Low-slump concrete can be quite stiff and require stronger vibration than other types of concrete.
Find High-Quality Concrete Vibrators at Herc Rentals
Using a concrete vibrator will make sure that your pour is strong and durable. At Herc Rentals, we have all the trade and contractor equipment you need for nearly any concrete project.
Our team will help you find the best concrete vibrator for your project goals and site conditions. Our electric concrete vibrator offers enough power to settle wetter and drier mixtures. Meanwhile, our gas backpack concrete vibrator is great for large or remote project sites where plugging in equipment is impossible or impractical.
So, the next time a project calls for high quality, reliable concrete equipment, contact Herc Rentals. Explore our wide selection of concrete and masonry equipment or call 888-777-2700 to get started today.
