What is a bull float and what is it used for?

A bull float is used to level and smooth freshly poured concrete. Concrete used for visible projects, such as driveways, patios and sidewalks, often requires finishing. Finishing is a process that gives a concrete surface the desired smoothness, texture and durability.

What is the purpose of a bull float?

The purpose of darbying or bull floating concrete is to level ridges and fill voids left by the screeding operation. It should also slightly embed the coarse aggregate to make subsequent finishing operations easier.

Why is it called a bull float?

Bull Floats

This is because these floats consist of a long handle attached to a wood, resin, aluminum or magnesium float. The handle can measure anywhere from 4 feet to 16 feet long.

Can you finish concrete with just a bull float?

A bull float is used to level and smooth freshly poured concrete. Concrete used for visible projects, such as driveways, patios and sidewalks, often requires finishing.

How long do you leave concrete before floating?

Allow all of the water to disappear before you do anything else. This can take 20 minutes or 4 hours depending on the temperature, humidity and how hard the wind is blowing. After the bleed water is all gone you can get out your steel finishing trowel and put on the final touches.

How to Finish Concrete with a Bull Float

How often should I wet new concrete?

To put it simply, the goal is to keep the concrete saturated during the first 28 days. The first 7 days after installation you should spray the slab with water 5-10 times per day, or as often as possible. Once the concrete is poured the curing process begins immediately.

What is Devil float?

A devil float, also known as hand float, contains nails that slightly stick out at one end and is used to roughen the surface of plaster to provide a key for the next coat. It can also be used to get rid of any bumps.

What's the difference between a float and a trowel?

A float has a thicker base than a trowel and is usually made of plastic, sponge, rubber, wood or magnesium – a lightweight pale grey metal. It's used to even up the surface on plaster or concrete, make it firmer and give whatever texture is required. The finish will depend on the float chosen.

What's the difference between a Fresno and a bull float?

What it is: The fresno may look similar to the bull float, but its blade is made of tempered or “blue” steel. The fresno should only be used following the bull float. Purpose: The fresno is applied after the bull float to better seal the surface of the slab. Size: Approximately 6” x 36” but sizes do vary.

How do you edge concrete after it dries?

What does a Fresno do to concrete?

A Fresno trowel is used in the final stages of the finishing process to seal a smooth concrete surface prior to drying. Fresno's can be used to cover larger areas and eliminate time consuming use of a finishing trowel.

When should I take magnesium trowel?

Once your top is flat from screeding, use a magnesium float to flatten and smooth the top while opening the pores of the fresh concrete, allowing bleed water to evaporate and air to escape. Once the concrete is firm enough and all bleed water has evaporated, use a steel trowel for your final finish.

What is a float used for concrete?

A concrete float is a tool used to finish a concrete surface by making it smooth. A float is used after the surface has been made level using a screed. In addition to removing surface imperfections, floating will compact the concrete as preparation for further steps.

Can you float bonding?

Bonding coat is not the easiest to float! (Sand & cement /lime on the other hand just loves to be floated!) Therefore do as much as you can with the straight edge, to leave very little for the float to do.

How long does 4 inches of concrete take to cure?

The general rule of thumb is that concrete takes about 28 days to dry for every inch of slab thickness.

What happens if you dont water concrete?

Concrete that is not moist-cured at all dries too rapidly, and reaches less than half its potential design strength. It will also have a greater number of shrinkage cracks.

Can you leave concrete forms on too long?

In short, there is no such thing as leaving concrete forms on for too long, as they will simply continue the curing process as the forms remain in place. However, there is no real need to leave forms on for longer than necessary.

Why do brooms finish concrete?

Sometimes called brushed concrete, a broom is used to create a slip-resistant texture on the surface of the concrete. Concrete finishers have been broom finishing for about as long as there has been concrete. Broom finished thin overlays add skid resistance and upgrade a deteriorating concrete surface.

How do you make concrete smooth and shiny?

If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even. Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.

Can you pour a driveway with bagged concrete?

Fortunately, whether you plan to make a patio slab or a driveway, working in small areas divided by concrete forms and using bagged concrete mix can make the job easier for a DIYer.