Final Finishing and Curing
At 0:36 in
mas concrete work
What happens here
After the initial floating, the concrete must be allowed to set to the proper consistency, known as 'bleed water' disappearing and the concrete being able to support weight with only a slight indentation. This crucial step is followed by final finishing, which can involve multiple passes with hand trowels or a power trowel, depending on the desired surface texture (e.g., smooth, broom finish, or rough). Edgers are used to create clean, rounded edges along the perimeter of the slab, which helps prevent chipping. Groovers are used to cut control joints (if they weren't installed during formwork setup) into the surface, guiding where the concrete will crack due to expansion and contraction. Finally, proper curing is essential for the concrete to reach its maximum strength and durability. This can involve covering the slab with plastic sheeting to retain moisture, applying a liquid curing compound, or regularly misting the concrete with water for several days (typically 7 days), especially in hot or windy conditions. Forms are usually removed 24-48 hours after the pour once the concrete has gained sufficient strength.
Goal: Achieve the desired surface finish and ensure proper concrete curing for strength and durability.
Tools and materials
- Concrete Broom — Creating a non-slip 'broom finish' by dragging it across the surface after initial troweling
- Edger — Creating smooth, rounded edges along the perimeter of the concrete slab to prevent chipping
- Groover/Joiner — Cutting control joints into the concrete surface to guide cracking in controlled, straight lines
- Plastic Sheeting — Covering the concrete to retain moisture and promote proper curing
- Sprayer — Applying liquid curing compound or misting water onto the concrete for curing
- Steel Trowels — Smoothing, compacting, and hardening the concrete surface to achieve various finishes
- Curing Compound — Forming a protective film on the concrete surface to prevent rapid moisture evaporation during curing