That pump truck hose line failure set me back 4 hours last Thursday

Was doing a 30 yard pour for a warehouse slab in Phoenix and the pump truck hose let go right at the swivel. Concrete sprayed everywhere, had to stop the pour and wait for a replacement hose. Ended up having to hand finish the cold joint and now the customer is pissed about the color difference. Anyone else dealt with pump hose failures mid-pour and got tips for managing the customer after?

2 comments

2 Comments

evac721mo ago

Honestly, a 4 hour delay on a warehouse slab in Phoenix doesn't sound that bad. I've seen guys lose a whole day because the ready mix truck showed up with the wrong slump and they had to send it back. Your customer is probably just looking for a reason to complain, and that color difference is a classic excuse. Tbh, if they were that worried about a cold joint they should have specified a broom finish or something to hide it. Ngl, I'd just tell them it's part of the deal with concrete and offer to topcoat the whole slab for a change order.

lindareed1mo ago

Wow I gotta disagree with you there @evac72. A four hour delay on a 30 yard pour in Phoenix heat is actually a huge deal. That concrete is setting fast and a cold joint in a warehouse slab isnt just cosmetic it can be a structural weak point if they ever put heavy loads on it. The customer might not be a pro but they know it looks different and it bothers them. Hand finishing a cold joint is a pain and the color difference is always gonna be there no matter how good you are. I think people downplay these failures too much like it's just part of the job but that attitude is gonna lose you customers. You gotta own up to it, explain that the pump hose was the issue not your crew, and offer something practical like a smooth power trowel blend or a sealer that evens out the color.