Using a material for construction is a part of your work. You also need to understand how to extend the material’s life with the right handling techniques. So, if you use plastic formwork, proper maintenance will give you further success in your industry.
The right techniques help the formwork last through many uses on construction sites. You get more value from your investment when you take care of your formwork correctly. Construction teams who maintain their formwork properly can use the same panels for years on multiple projects.
You need to wash your formwork right after each concrete pour. Remove all concrete bits with water and a soft brush to keep surfaces smooth. Hard scrubbing can damage the plastic surface, so use gentle pressure when cleaning tough spots. Dried concrete becomes much harder to remove and can permanently damage the smooth finish of your panels.
Keep the materials away from direct sunlight when not in use. Stack panels flat on even ground with nothing heavy on top to prevent warping and bending. A simple tarp covering or storage in a warehouse protects your investment from heat and rain between jobs.
Apply a thin coat of release agent before each pour to help concrete release cleanly. Too much oil can damage aluminium formwork and plastic types over time. Choose the right release agent that works well with plastic without causing chemical damage. The right release agent makes cleaning easier and extends the life of your formwork panels.
Make sure your team knows how to set up and take down the materials correctly. Rough handling causes the most damage to quality plastic formwork on construction sites. Show workers the right techniques for fastening, aligning, and removing panels safely. Productive training reduces accidents and damage while speeding up assembly and removal times.
Switch panels between different positions and projects to spread wear evenly across your entire set. Some areas get more stress than others when Formwork is used repeatedly. Keep records of which panels have been used most often and rotate your inventory systematically. This practice prevents some panels from wearing out faster than others and increases the life of your formwork system.
You can save money and help the environment by taking good care of them. Following these six simple steps will keep your plastic formwork durable for years to come. Properly maintained plastic formwork in India can be reused over 100 times, making it truly cost-effective for construction companies. The team at Novaformworks can help you choose the right plastic formwork system for your construction needs in India.
