Concrete Slab Power Float Finish

Power trowelling of air entrained concretes is not recommended due to the risk of surface delamination.

Concrete slab power float finish.

Power floating concrete too early while it is too wet can cause delamination of the material basically it will tear it up. It is generally not appropriate for external paving. However timing is crucial and if power floating is undertaken too early bleed water may be worked into the surface thereby weakening it and leading to the risk of surface delamination. Concrete finishing is performed after floating and it produces a dense smooth hard surface.

At cfs we usually perform this task after your purchased concrete has partially set and has been leveled and tamped. A power float is a machine used by hand either with the operator walking behind it or riding on a larger one if the project requires it in order to produce a smooth dense and level finish to a newly laid onsite poured concrete floor. When carried out correctly on concrete of the appropriate class trowelling leaves a smooth very dense surface. Just make sure that you wait and allow the slab to dry up between passes to allow the concrete to reach proper set.

Therefore before beginning the power floating process the concrete must be left to partially set having been levelled and tamped. It is produced for warehouses and similar large slab areas but can also be a finish to small slabs. A power float is a hand operated machine used to produce a smooth dense and level surface finish to insitu concrete beds. You may need to do two or more passes.

Power trowels or power floats are used to smooth and finish poured concrete before it is fully dry so timing is a critical element in how your finished product will turn out. Power floating eliminates the time and materials needed to apply a finishing screed and is quicker and less labour intensive process than hand trowelling.