Concrete Floating and Troweling

What happens in this clip

Allow the concrete to stiffen sufficiently (when it can support your weight without deep indentation). Then, use a hand float to smooth out any ridges or imperfections left by screeding and edging. For a super smooth finish, transition to a steel trowel. The steel trowel compacts the surface mortar and creates a very hard, durable, and smooth finish. This step often requires multiple passes with the trowel as the concrete continues to set.

Goal: Achieve a smooth, durable concrete surface.

What's used

Tools

• Hand Float
• Knee Boards / Plywood
• Steel Trowel

About the full video

This project details the process of installing a concrete pad for a hot tub, starting from site excavation and preparation, through formwork setup, gravel base installation, concrete pouring, and various finishing techniques including screeding, edging, floating, troweling, and applying a curing compound. While the video does not explicitly show the operation of a plate compactor, such a tool is visible on site, implying its use for compacting the gravel base, which is a crucial step for a robust foundation.

Step 8 of 10: Finish the Concrete

Once the concrete has set further and the float marks have disappeared, use a steel trowel to create a smooth, hard finish. Hold the trowel at a slight angle and move it in large, sweeping arcs across the surface. For a very smooth finish, multiple passes may be necessary as the concrete hardens.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Pour a Concrete Landing Pad for Deck Stairs

1. Step 1: Excavate Area

   • 13:17–15:33 Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging
   • 4:20–8:36 Prepare & Pour Concrete Pad

2. Step 2: Install Formwork

   • 2:04–2:33 Build and Position Concrete Form
   • 0:33–0:47 Formwork Installation
   • 0:00–0:34 Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base

4. Step 4: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

   • 2:45–3:06 Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar)
   • 1:30–1:40 Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement
   • 5:41–6:46 Rebar Placement for Reinforcement

5. Step 5: Mix and Pour Concrete

   • 0:30–0:42 Pour and Level Concrete
   • 3:10–3:41 Pour and Screed Concrete
   • 1:58–2:31 Mix and Pour Concrete

6. Step 6: Screed the Concrete

   • 0:04–0:13 Screed the Concrete
   • 0:24–1:01 Screed the Concrete Surface
   • 0:17–0:45 Screed the Concrete Surface

7. Step 7: Float the Concrete

   • 0:16–0:25 Float the Concrete Surface
   • 0:44–0:46 Hand Float Concrete Surface
   • 1:15–1:29 Float Concrete

8. Step 8: Finish the Concrete

   • 0:07–0:11 Trowel for Smooth Concrete Finish
   • 10:04–11:22 Final Troweling and Finishing
   • 3:30–4:49 Concrete Floating and Troweling (this video)

9. Step 9: Cure the Concrete

   • 2:08–2:39 Cure Concrete
   • 0:57–0:59 Cure Concrete and Remove Forms
   • 5:50–6:12 Cure the Concrete

10. Step 10: Remove Formwork

    • 8:43–10:04 Remove Form and Backfill
    • 4:03–4:08 Remove Formwork
    • 0:52–0:54 Remove Formwork