How to Set Up Concrete Block Forms

The following instructable is to show you how to break down and reassemble a concrete block mold to prepare it for re-use.

The use of heavy equipment will be needed. Keep a safe distance away from all moving equipment.

Concrete molds are heavy, approximately 75-100 lbs for each piece. Use two people to move the pieces safely.

Keep all fingers and other extremities away from pinch points.

Proper PPE to complete this task includes the following:

Steel Toed Boots

Leather gloves

Long Pants

Safety Glasses

Hard Hat

Tools required will be as follows:

Tile Scraper

Garden Sprayer with Form Release

6000 lb Chain

Front-End Loader

Optional: 4" Rebar/Wood for prying

With a filled concrete mold, unlatch both latches at the end of each piece. If you are unable to unlatch the latches, use a piece of rebar or wood to pry against the latch.

After each latch has been unlatched, use two people to remove each piece of the form away from the concrete block. Be sure to move the form pieces out of the way for the block to be picked up in the next step.

Attach a chain to the front-end loader. While one person is operating the loader, slowly hook the chain to the re-bar sticking out of the concrete block to move the concrete block to the storage area. Keep a safe distance (5-10 ft) away while the block is being removed.

Now that the concrete block has been removed, clean the surface of the steel plate and mold pieces from any excess concrete.

With the mold and plate clean, use two people to carry and place the mold forms back on the steel plate, and latch them together. Be cautious of keeping your hands away from pinch point between the forms.

Now that the form is clean and back together, spray form release on the interior of the forms. Make sure all of the form is covered, this will assure a clean strip when the form is filled again.

Grab the rebar hook and place it through the slot in the form piece and rest it inside the channel of the form. Use a zip tie to secure the rebar hook to prevent it from moving.

Now the forms are ready to be filled again with leftover concrete. The concrete driver will fill the mold, and screed the surface off, creating a new concrete mold block.