Good storage is the cheapest way to protect the money you have spent on materials. Plan it before the first lorry arrives.
Storage by Material
| Material | Store | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cement | Closed shed or covered; platform ≥150 mm high; stacks ≈10 bags; away from walls | Bare ground, open sky, tall stacks |
| TMT steel | On sleepers or blocks ≥150 mm high; sorted by size; covered | Lying in mud or water |
| Sand | Hard base; covered; separate heaps for concrete and plaster sand | Dumping on soil; mixing with aggregate |
| Aggregate | Hard base; separate by size | Mixing with soil |
| AAC blocks | Level ground on pallets; covered | Soaking in rain; tipping off lorries |
| Bricks | Level ground; stacked in rows | Unloading by tipping |
| Water | Tank or drums; clean | Contaminated sources for mixing |
| Admixtures, adhesives | Dry, shaded, sealed | Sun, damp |
Site Layout Tips
- Near the mixer: cement, sand and aggregate, so batching is quick.
- Clear access: a path for lorries and for wheelbarrows to the pour.
- Steel yard: with space for cutting and bending.
- Drainage: away from stores, especially in the monsoon.
- Security: lockable store for cement and fittings.
The Short Version
Raised, covered, separated, drained and locked — and buy by stage so the store never has to hold more than a few weeks of work.
