What is the difference between bull float and Fresno?

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.

What is a Fresno trowel for?

Purpose: Fresno trowels are designed to attach to long extension handles so finishers don't have to walk out on the slab. They permit rapid work over large areas, such as driveways, but do not achieve the same degree of compaction possible with hand trowels.

What does it mean to Fresno concrete?

A fresno is a large, long-handled trowel that looks similar to a bull float, except the blade is made of tempered or “blue” steel. Blades are typically 5 inches wide and 18 to 48 inches long with rounded corners, but square corners are available. Handles are attached to the blade with adjustable or swivel brackets.

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 many times do you float concrete?

Push the bull float in one direction only across the concrete, keeping its front edge slightly above the surface by raising or lowering the handle. Two or three times is enough. Don't overwork the concrete or you'll weaken it by drawing too much sand and cement to the surface.

04 Fresno, Blue Glider and Bullfloat

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.

What is 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 is a bull float in construction terms?

A tool or machine used to smooth unformed surfaces of freshly placed concrete.

When should I start bull floating concrete?

Darbying or bull floating should be done immediately after "screeding", or after the concrete has been tamped if tamping was done. This process should be finished before excess moisture or bleedwater appear on the surface.

What is a Fresno broom?

Fresno broom is a general purpose tools designed to apply a textured brush finish of concrete flat work, and consist of a zinc plated steel blade and medium textured brush attachment. The blade of the fresno broom is curved at the ends to prevent digging of the work surface and eliminate lap marks.

Can you Fresno exterior concrete?

Never use a steel trowel* or Fresno* on exterior concrete flatwork. Steel troweling seals over the surface trapping water and can also compromise the air entrainment* near the surface of the slab that was designed for greater freeze/thaw resistance.

Why do you use a magnesium float on concrete?

Although they are slightly weaker than their aluminum counterparts, magnesium floats are lighter and are the most popular choice among professionals. Magnesium smooths the surface of fresh concrete and opens the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool.

What trowel is best for concrete?

Edward Tools Finishing Trowel for Cement and Concrete is the highest grade cement trowel on the market as it is made with high tempered carbon steel for the best of finishes. Alloy mounting makes this more lightweight than solid steel concrete trowels while maintaining the most solid build structure.

How long do you wait to float concrete?

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.

What defects can be caused by bull floating too soon?

More often, premature finishing or improper first (bull floating) or second floating results in trapping rising bleed water and air below the top surface of the concrete (Image 2). When this occurs, the resulting weak or soft zone below the surface causes the top surface of the concrete to flake or scale off.

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.

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.

How much rebar should I use in a slab?

Contractors sometimes use the “1/8 Rule,” meaning the size of the rebar is 1/8 the thickness of the slab. For example, a slab that is 6 inches thick might have rebar marked as size 6 or 3/4-inch. Slabs for septic tanks may require the use of both welded wire fabric and rebar.

What does broom finish concrete mean?

Broom Finish concrete is concrete finished by dragging a horsehair broom, or something similar, over its wet surface. Brushing the concrete makes for a textured surface with small, but noticeable grooves. Broom Finish concrete has been the preferred utilitarian texture for exterior concrete for decades.