The materials used for a typical construction project can be extremely expensive, particularly if they need to be purchased in large quantities. Given this, it is important to take steps to prevent them from being damaged. Here are two ways to do this:
Use the right equipment to handle materials
Throughout the course of a construction project, heavy, bulky materials, such as steel rebar, timber and bricks, often need to be transported from one part of the building site to another. Due to their weight, they cannot be moved manually. Instead, trailers (attached to trucks), will usually be used to transport them.
If the wrong type of trailer is used for this process, there is a good chance that the materials will end up damaged.
For example, if you need to transport a collection of timber boards from one area of the site to the other, and choose to use a flatbed trailer that does not have any barrier around its perimeter or any means of securing the timber to the trailer floor, the timber will almost certainly end up tumbling off the trailer during transit. The impact could result in the wood breaking or splintering. Furthermore, if the ground is wet, the timber could end up sustaining moisture-induced damage, such as mould and wet rot.
Likewise, if you have a trailer which is only designed to transport lightweight materials and you pile it up with a large number of extremely heavy steel pipes that exceed its maximum load-bearing capacity by several tonnes, the trailer will most likely collapse under the weight. Should this happen, the steel pipes will fall from the trailer and could end up severely dented.
As such, when arranging a trailer hire for your construction project, it's important to draw up a detailed list of the type, weight and quantity of materials you will have to ferry around the site and make sure that the trailers you rent are appropriate for your needs.
Be careful when it comes to storage
Making sure that your construction materials are stored properly is crucial if you wish to avoid the expense and hassle of replacing damaged goods.
For instance, as mentioned above, timber may develop wet rot or mould when exposed to moisture. To prevent this from happening, it should never be placed on the bare earth or concrete outside; instead, it should be stacked on top of a series of bricks. If it needs to be kept outside for more than an hour or two, it should be covered in waterproof plastic sheeting to protect it from any sudden downpours.
Timber and other flammable construction materials, such as fibreglass insulation, should also be stored as far away from ignition sources (like wood treatment chemicals and rags soaked in solvents) as possible.
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