Are you gearing up for a construction project and wondering whether you need a water cart on your site?
Determining the type of heavy machinery you need to hire is a key part of planning a construction project. And if you are on a fixed budget, or are simply looking to keep the costs of renting equipment low, it’s natural to wonder which tools are a necessity and which ones you can skip.
In this article, we’ll share 5 key reasons why a water cart is a must-have tool on your construction site.
- To prevent and control dust
- To help with soil compaction
- To help with fire suppression
- To provide clean water supply
- To help with site cleaning needs
To prevent and control dust
Dust is a common problem at many construction sites, and understandably so. Construction site activities like earthmoving and excavation, and the cutting, grinding, and drilling of materials like concrete, mortar and even wood, all generate substantial amounts of dust.
If uncontrolled, dust can spread across your site and lead to several negative outcomes. More specifically, dust can:
- Endanger your workers’ health by causing issues such as eye and lung irritation, asthma and bronchitis.
- Clog down tools or damage them.
- Reduce visibility and obstruct workers’ pathways, making projects take longer to complete.
- Pollute the surrounding environment.
Having a water cart (also called a water truck) on site can help you prevent or control dust and thus avoid some of these negative outcomes.
For example, before you start excavation, you can wet the area you are working on to stop dust particles from forming in the first place. You could also dampen parts of your construction site after you finish working on them to prevent dust from settling on them, and the wind from then blowing it around your site. And if there’s airborne dust on site already, you can use water to wash down the particles or clear them away.
In a nutshell, a water cart is a worthy investment that can help you control dust and ensure a safer and more productive work environment for your team.
To help with soil compaction
Soil compaction is the process of increasing soil density by removing pockets of air from it using mechanical equipment like compaction wheels or plates. The process helps create a flat, stable base on which structures can be safely built.
Water content plays a key part in soil compaction. The optimum soil density for different construction projects is only achievable when the water to soil ratio is at an ideal level.
Too much water can make the ground sludgy, unstable, and thus unsafe for construction. On the other hand, too little water content will cause dry soil particles not to adhere to one another.
This is where water carts come in. If the soil is too dry, you can deploy water carts to raise the water content to within the ideal range for optimum compaction.
To help with fire suppression
Emergencies or unforeseen events like fires can happen at your construction site.
A single piece of faulty equipment, for example, could easily spark a fire. A worker might cause an inferno by using a particular piece of equipment or tool incorrectly. A lot of flammable materials on your site can also increase the risk of a fire breaking out.
A water cart can make a world of difference if a fire incident occurs on your site. You can use it to extinguish small fires before they escalate and cause irreparable damage and extensive losses. And in the case of larger fires, a water cart can help you control the blaze until emergency fire services arrive.
To provide clean water supply
Many construction sites are open in nature, making them vulnerable to hot weather. There might also be machines at your site that are constantly running and generating a lot of heat.
One major risk of a hot working environment is that it can leave workers vulnerable to dehydration, which could lead to physical and mental problems like fatigue, confusion, and irritability. And if the only available water on your site is contaminated, your workers might contract more serious conditions like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery if they drink it.
This is another situation where a water cart can prove to be a lifesaver. You can use the cart to supply your construction site with fresh water all day and thus keep your staff hydrated as they work on projects.
To help with site cleaning needs
A water cart can also help you address any cleaning needs that come up on your site..
Indeed, construction sites can get messy fast. Having a water cart close by makes it easy to clean equipment, machinery, and other materials on site as needed. This can reduce the risk of equipment breakdown and lead to a safe, hygienic working environment, ultimately increasing productivity.
OrangeHire can help with your water cart needs
Orange Hire is a market leader in the construction equipment rentals space, and can be an invaluable partner in your next construction project.
What types of water carts are available?
Water carts are available in a wide range of sizes to suit different needs. The types of hoses, pumps and spray nozzles used can vary between applications.
We offer a wide range of quality and affordable water carts to help meet your unique construction site needs and requirements. Whether it’s a low volume slip-on water cart for a small-scale project, or a large water truck for a more extensive project, we’ve got you covered.
And if you’re unsure about the best type of water cart for your project, our knowledgeable team is always available to help you make the right selection.
Want to learn more? Get in touch with us today.
