Ask any jobsite manager in the concrete coatings industry how to ensure a smooth installation and they will likely tell you that proper planning has a lot to do with success. As the old adage goes, “By Failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Don’t leave your jobs to chance. Instead, use the five steps below as a guide to help work through the details of your installation beforehand so you can mitigate problems in advance.

STEP 1: Material Storage & Staging
The management and storing of your materials are one of the most important aspects of preparing for your project. Once your materials are on site, get all pallets broken down. Next, organize the materials by product and component in the order that you’re using them. Be sure to get a count of all your materials to make sure you’re not missing any critical components and that you have everything you’ll need for the project.

Once all material inventory is accounted for, you’ll want to decide where it will be stored. Ideally, you will store them close to where your mixing station and equipment will be placed. Other factors to consider is long-term storage of material. This is mainly for larger jobs or jobs that will require climatization of materials due to environmental conditions. In this case you will need two storage areas, one for immediate use and one for later phases of the project.

STEP 2: Staging & Securing of Equipment
You’ll want to ensure that all the equipment that is necessary for the project is on the jobsite. Additionally, it will be important to choose a location to store and secure the equipment. Don’t overlook this detail. Stolen equipment is expensive to replace and can cause delays in the installation if you don’t have what you need. First, pick a spot that is conducive to where you are working. Ideally, you want it to be secure, possibly a lockable space. If that’s not an option, use a job box to secure all hand tools and small equipment. Secure any grinders and larger equipment as well, finding something you can lock larger equipment to, or lock them together and to a pillar or post using a steel cable and lock.

STEP 3: Power
Power is going to be necessary to run your equipment and lighting during the installation. You’ll need to do a walkthrough of the jobsite to ensure that you have what you need. Make sure you have your generator setup or determine where you will tap into onsite power. On new construction sites, pay close attention, because not all new construction is going to have available power. You will also need to ensure that you have enough power to run all the necessary equipment. Each piece of equipment will have different requirements; single phase, three phase, et. Some equipment will require a spider box, or power distribution box, which you can plug into a 50 or 70 amp circuit to run hand grinders, vacuums, lights, and small equipment such 220 machines. Determine what equipment you’ll be running, what the power needs are, and ensure that you have the power to support it prior to beginning your installation.

STEP 4: Planning Your Installation
Once you’ve got your materials, equipment and power sorted, you’ll want to plan how you’re going to install. Choose where you will start the installation and where will you finish. Mark out the stages of installation as they relate to material coverage. For example, if you know that your product mix is going to yield 200 sq ft, place a mark on the wall with tape to indicate the anticipated coverage area. This will ensure that materials are not being installed too thick or being stretched too far and they will be consistent throughout.

STEP 5: Setup Your Mix Station
Now that you’ve planned your installation, you’ll need to setup your mix station. Having a mix station will help to prevent mixing errors and improve jobsite workflow. Attention to this area of staging will help you operate and install faster as well as maintain a clean, professional work area.
• Set up near your installation
• Prepare with floor protection like ram board and plastic
• Organize products, tools and accessories in order of use
• Arrange for the disposal waste, packaging, etc.