Serving Western PA, Eastern OH, and Northern WV

Graf Concrete Pumping - Logo

Respect | Honesty | Quality

,

Business Tagline Lorem Ipsum Dolor


FAQs

FAQs

Graf Concrete Pumping

Have a concrete pumping-related question? We have the answer. Check out these FAQs and give us a call today for more information!

  • Why should I choose Graf Concrete Pumping for my concrete pumping needs?

    Graf Concrete Pumping is a contractor-focused pumping partner with a genuine desire to help you get your job done right. We take pride in our reputation for honest and fair treatment and bring added value to your project with our extensive construction experience. If you're looking for concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA, call us today!

  • What sets Graf Concrete Pumping apart from other concrete pumping companies?

    Concrete production and delivery is a $63 billion revenue industry in the United States, according to Concrete Financial Insights. Our team at Graf Concrete Pumping genuinely cares about helping you get your job done right. We approach our services with the end user in mind, ensuring that your concrete pumping needs are met efficiently and effectively. Call us today if you're looking for concrete pumping companies in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • What services does Graf Concrete Pumping offer?

    Graf Concrete Pumping offers concrete pumping solutions for general contractors, concrete and masonry contractors, homeowners, and project managers. We provide free estimates and optional flat-rate pricing to help you better budget your job. Call us today if you're looking for concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Can Graf Concrete Pumping help with my residential concrete pumping needs?

    Yes, we work with homeowners to provide concrete pumping solutions for residential projects. Whether you're pouring a new driveway, patio, or foundation, Graf Concrete Pumping can help. Call us today if you're in need of concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • How does Graf Concrete Pumping approach customer service?

    Customer service is a top priority at Graf Concrete Pumping. We are willing to help in any way possible to ensure that your concrete pumping needs are met. We work hard to earn and keep your business! Call us today if you need concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • What regions does Graf Concrete Pumping serve?

    Graf Concrete Pumping serves the Pittsburgh, Erie, and eastern Ohio regions, as well as northern West Virginia. We are committed to providing reliable and efficient concrete pumping services to these areas. Call us today if you're looking for concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA and beyond.

  • Does Graf Concrete Pumping offer project management services?

    Yes, we bring project management expertise to every job to ensure that your concrete pumping needs are met efficiently and effectively. Our team is here to help you from start to finish. Call us today if you need concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • How can I get a free estimate from Graf Concrete Pumping?

    Getting a free estimate from Graf Concrete Pumping is easy! Simply contact us through our website or give us a call, and we will be happy to discuss your project and provide you with a free estimate. Don't hesitate to contact us if you're looking for concrete pumping companies in Pittsburgh, PA!

  • What certifications does Graf Concrete Pumping have?

    Graf Concrete Pumping has certifications and extensive construction experience in concrete pumping. Our team is trained to handle a wide range of concrete pumping needs with professionalism and expertise. Call us today if you're looking for concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA.

  • What is the significance of Graf Concrete Pumping having an ACPA certification?

    The ACPA certification held by Graf Concrete Pumping is a mark of excellence in the concrete pumping industry. The American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) was founded in 1974 with the goal of promoting concrete pumping as the preferred method for placing concrete while ensuring safety and industry education.


    Being a member of ACPA demonstrates Graf Concrete Pumping's commitment to adhering to the highest standards of safety and professionalism. ACPA membership provides access to a range of programs and services, including comprehensive safety training and certification for operators. This certification program helps to increase safety effectiveness, operator awareness, efficiency, and overall job site safety. By choosing Graf Concrete Pumping, customers can trust that they are working with a company dedicated to safety, quality, and industry best practices.

  • I’m not familiar with pumping. What are some considerations when planning my pump job?

    PRIMING: You must have a plan for priming the pump. Priming is typically performed at the beginning of a pump job OR whenever a new/clean line is attached to the existing pump system. Priming is a means of lubricating the pump pipe and/or pump line, to allow for adequate sliding of the concrete through a clean pump system without segregation or dry packing. Typically, with our overhead pumps we prime with a starch-based “slick pack” priming agent; with our line pumps we typically will prime with a bentonite clay-based “clay pack” priming agent. Both of these materials are not suitable for extensive mixing with concrete and there should be a plan to discard the priming agent beside/outside the placement area. If the option of discarding the priming agent is not available, priming with a Portland cement-based grout is recommended. 


    MIX DESIGN: Mix design refers to the specifics of the concrete material mixture that is delivered to you on-site. Specifically, how much and what type of large aggregate(stone), fine aggregate(sand), cementitious (portland cement, fly ash, slag, etc). You must verify that a suitable and pumpable mix design is selected with your ready-mix supplier. We must know what mix you are planning to send, so we can make recommendations and prepare our equipment to accommodate. For example, if you need to reach a footer 250 feet from the setup point with a line pump versus reaching the same footer with an Aerial boom pump 120 feet from the setup point; those mixes can be different and we can aid you in selecting that mix AHEAD OF TIME, which can potentially save you money on the concrete. 


    LINE DIAMETER AND WHY IT MATTERS: When pumping out of a line pump or off the end of a boom, the pump line diameter must be determined ahead of time. To help determine mix design, Typically, ready mix companies will ask what the diameter of the pump line is. Here are some generic facts about each size: 

    • A 2 or 2.5-inch line would be used for line pump work where ease of line control and weight is paramount and where placement rates are not required to be over 20-25 yards per hour. This is commonly used for grouting of CMU blocks, infill slabs or structural work, or anywhere else of line movement is a concern. This is the lightest to move, but the mix designs required for this smaller line which are typically higher in cement and sand content while using a pea gravel or small #8 limestone aggregate, do have some limitations that need to be discussed before ordering.  
    • A 3-inch diameter line is our most typical placement line size, where a blended aggregate mix (i.e. 50% Pea gravel or #8 and 50% #67 stone) is utilized, where typical placement rates of up to 50 yards per hour are acceptable. This line is still very manageable and can be moved by one or two people without issue.  
    • A 4 or 5-inch diameter line is used when a lightweight aggregate or a spec mix with a straight large aggregate is needed. With consistent ready-mix service, it is possible to pump over 100 yards per hour with this size line. This line is also used in conjunction with our Line Dragons.  

    WASHOUT: There needs to be a suitable location where both the ready-mix trucks and the pump can wash out on site. This could be a dug-out depression in the ground, a gravel driveway, or anywhere suitable to contain the concrete material when washing.  For an added cost, we can either provide plastic lined and reinforced washout bags, which can be utilized to washout into OR if there is a location within a short distance of the job, washout in an “offsite” location. The removal of the remnants of the washout bags is the responsibility of the customer.  

     

  • What are Line Dragons?

    Line Dragons are a flatworker’s best friend! They are remote-controlled units, which aid in the dragging of lines and placement of high volumes of concrete in areas where a 4 or 5-inch diameter line is used, and typically where traditional placement with an overhead boom is not possible. 

  • How are pump jobs priced?

    We are more than willing and happy to estimate the cost of pumping for a job, and our goal is to be transparent and fair with our pricing. It does not benefit us to lowball a price, just to upset the customer with a much higher cost in the end. That said, there is much that is outside of our control, which will ultimately affect your final cost; those variables may include:  

    • Service speed and timeliness of the chosen ready-mix company 
    • Pumpability of the mix design 
    • The speed at which the contractor can place the concrete 
    • Complexity of the pump and system setup 
    • Quantity of pipe system necessary to place the concrete 
    • Weather conditions 
    • Road conditions 
    • Site conditions (good access, on-site cleanout, ability to get one or two trucks to the pump at a time,  etc.)  

    These will all ultimately affect the speed with which we can complete our portion of the job for you. Due to this, unless there is a written agreement otherwise, all jobs are priced based on the final actual time expended. We want to be cost-competitive and honest. Pricing is based upon a combination of the following items: 

    • Travel time to and from the job site 
    • Pump time – starts upon arrival time through setup/pumping/teardown/final washout. Includes a 4-hour minimum 
    • Primer cost – priced per bag of priming agent necessary 
    • Line system utilized – priced per linear foot of line laid 
    • Yardage pumped  
    • Fuel surcharge – variable percentage, based on fuel rates 
    • Washout bags – if used 
    • Any additional setup, dry runs, late cancellation, extra requested labor, etc are all based on a case-by-case basis 

    Pricing is broken down on our price lists and can be obtained by calling or emailing.   


  • I’ve heard of Graf Custom Construction, are you related?

    Yes. We are part of the Graf Family of Companies which includes the following independent companies: 

    • Graf Custom Construction LLC  
    • Seneca Foundations LLC 
    • Graf Concrete Pumping LLC  
    • Liberty Dumpster Service LLC 

  • How does Graf Concrete Pumping ensure safety on the job site?

    Safety is a top priority at Graf Concrete Pumping. We adhere to strict safety protocols to ensure the safety of our team and your property during the concrete pumping process. Call us today if you need concrete pumping in Pittsburgh, PA.

Share by: