Vehicles hauling and moving gravel in front of cement storage silos at concrete plant

Why is My Cement Storage Silo Experiencing Clogs?

Your cement storage silo carries a lot of weight for your business. It protects the key ingredient for your concrete blends against the elements. It makes your cement easily accessible. It helps keep your projects moving forward. That is, when that material flows out as it should.

If you’ve noticed clumping, slower pours — or even complete obstructions — in your cement storage silo, rest assured you aren’t alone. As average temperatures rise around the globe, humidity levels have risen right along with them. And that added moisture has a tendency to create unwanted clogs inside a cement storage silo. (That’s true even for silos that have never before experienced such issues.)

Cement storage silos with rust stains
Book preventative maintenance for your cement plant silos every three months.

In recent years the General Chipping team has seen an increase in calls from companies looking to get their stopped-up silos back in working order. And while we’re always happy to help with emergency assistance for a down-and-out cement storage silo, we recommend companies take preventative measures to keep material flowing and projects continuing safely forward. Here’s how:

  • Have Your Cement Storage Silo Professionally Cleaned Every Three Months: Quarterly checks by a trained and licensed crew can help you spot potential issues before they become real problems, and clear any material that’s become hardened. Remember, silo cleaning work is incredibly dangerous and should only be left to the pros.
  • Keep an Eye Out for Issues with Your Cement Silos: We recommend making regular walk-throughs around your plant to inspect your silos. (While you’re at it, take a look at your central mixers and redi mix concrete drums, too.) Make note of any potential problems, and be sure to pass that information along to your silo cleaning company the next time they dig in on your maintenance work.
  • Tackle Small-Scale Maintenance Work Between Silo Cleaning Appointments: While we’re adamant that an untrained individual should never carry out the full-fledged silo cleaning process, there are a few things your crew can do to keep your cement storage silo healthy in between cleanings. Minor repair work, such as tightening loosened screws, treating corroded areas and tending to cracks or breaks can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping your cement safe and dry.

Clumped cement inside your silos might not seem like a big deal now, but as time progresses and that clumping increases, it can grind your crew’s work to a halt. The good news is, a keen eye paired with regular maintenance can keep your material moving as usual.

If you have questions about anything you’ve just read, or if you’re interested in learning more about General Chipping’s silo cleaning, redi mix drum chipping or central mixer cleaning services, please contact our team. We’re here to help, and we look forward to hearing from you!