![]() Walking Edgers function in the same way, but you can stand and walk behind it. How: Use the forms as a guide and run the tool in long, sweeping strokes along the edges of your slab until the edges are smooth, solid, and straight. ![]() ![]() When: This tool can be used after the smoothing process when the concrete is firm but not solid. What: Edgers are tools featuring a wide, flat blade with a radius edge used to round the edges of a concrete slab to prevent it from chipping. If crack prevention tools cause imperfections on the surface, simply smooth them over again with your smoothing tools. The Crack Prevention and Smoothing processes go hand-in-hand on the jobsite since they happen at the same time. To achieve a smoother finish, allow the concrete to set before returning for a second and third pass. How: Hold the finishing trowel at a 45° angle to prevent drag and work around the perimeter of the concrete slab using long, straight, back-and-forth strokes. When: Use this tool after floating the concrete or when your palm leaves behind an indentation no deeper than 1/8”. These also come with a rounded blade to avoid gouging the concrete and a pointed blade for hard to reach corners. What: Finishing Trowelsfeature large, flat, rectangular blades specially designed to achieve a perfectly smooth concrete finish and are ideal for interior concrete projects. Be sure to use light pressure! If you’re struggling to reach part of the slab, you can use a darby in place of a hand float. You can use a variety of movements: arcs, sweeping motions, or running the tool back and forth. How: Hold the hand float at a 45° angle to prevent the tool from gouging the concrete. When: Only start hand floating concrete when pressing the palm of your hand into the surface leaves an indentation between ¼” to ⅜”. Like a wood float, this tool won’t seal the concrete, but it will smooth the surface quite nicely, much like a magnesium float. Resin (or Composite) Floatsare a cross between wood and magnesium hand floats. They can be effective on all varieties of concrete as long as they aren't used too soon.ģ. ![]() Magnesium Floatsare used for concrete mixes with air-entraining properties. These Floats also leave the surface torn, or open, to allow bleed water to evaporate without sealing the concrete.Ģ. Wood Floatsare used for going around the perimeter of the slab to consolidate the aggregates present within the mix. There are three distinct types of hand float blade materials that all serve a specific purpose during the finishing process:ġ. It also works to remove imperfections and leave you with a flatter, smoother surface. What: This process consolidates the aggregate, pulls cream to the surface, and cuts the mud to the right height with one tool. If it sinks up to your first knuckle, the concrete is still too wet. Another way to know it is ready is to push your finger into the concrete. You will know it's evaporated when the slab loses the glossy sheen of wet concrete. This means you must wait for the bleed water to evaporate. Repeat this process until you’ve screeded the entire length of your slab.Ĭoncrete needs time to set before you can begin the smoothing process. Then, screed over the area again to level it. If you notice any voids too deep for the Screed to fill completely, grab a handful of excess concrete and toss it onto the void. If there are low spots the screed can’t reach, toss in a handful of excess concrete, then repeat the process. Move in a back-and-forth sawing motion, slowly moving forward the length of the slab. Now, skim the screed over the surface, smoothing out lumps and bumps and filling in low spots. These will support and help guide the screed. How: Rest the screed on top of the forms. Screeding in sections ensures more consistent results. You can screed in sections as you pour or wait until the forms are filled. When: Screeding can take place almost as soon as the concrete hits the subbase. This can be a 2 x 4 or a lightweight aluminum screedthat spans the width of your slab. What: A screed is a straight edge used to level concrete. The goal of leveling is to cut high spots and fill voids until the surface is level with the form boards. This will make a difference between a low-quality finish and a professional-quality finish. The important thing to know is when to use each tool. We recommend heavy-duty, chemical-resistant, waterproof gloves.Įach category has a different purpose, but one thing remains constant – timing. When you are working with concrete, you need to wear gloves to prevent potential concrete burns.
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