Screed the Concrete Surface

What happens in this clip

After the concrete is roughly spread, use a screed board (a long, straight piece of lumber or metal) to level the concrete precisely with the top edge of the formwork. Place the screed board across the forms, resting on both edges. With two people or one person using a vibratory screed, move the board back and forth in a sawing motion while simultaneously pulling it forward. This action removes excess concrete, fills any low spots, and compacts the surface, creating a flat and even slab. Ensure smooth, continuous passes to avoid leaving ridges or dips.

Goal: Achieve a flat and level concrete surface

What's used

Tools

• Rubber Boots
• Screed Board
• Vibratory screed
• Work Gloves

Materials

• Wet Concrete

About the full video

This project demonstrates the process of installing a concrete walkway, connecting an existing building to a previously poured concrete slab. The video focuses on the key stages of pouring, spreading, leveling (screeding), and initial finishing (floating and edging) of the concrete to create a durable and smooth pathway suitable for pedestrian traffic and light vehicles like golf carts.

Step 6 of 10: Screed the Concrete

Using a straight piece of lumber (such as a 2x4) as a screed board, rest it on top of the 2x6 formwork. Move the screed board back and forth in a sawing motion across the surface of the wet concrete, dragging excess concrete with it and filling low spots. This process levels the concrete to the height of the form.

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 (this video)

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

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