Shoutout to the crew that finally got the bullfloat timing right

For years I've watched guys pull the bullfloat way too early, leaving that gritty surface you have to fight later. The key is waiting until the bleed water is just gone and the slab has a dull, wet sheen. I learned this on a big warehouse floor in Tacoma about six months ago, and it cut our finishing time by nearly an hour. What's your biggest time-saver for a smooth finish?

3 comments

3 Comments

milar461mo ago

Wait, what if that gritty surface is actually better for traction later on? I've seen guys rush the timing and end up with a slab that's too slick when it gets wet.

iris_adams1mo ago

My buddy learned this the hard way last fall. He rushed his backyard patio and power-troweled too early, got it glassy smooth. First rain, it was like an ice rink. His kid took a nasty spill just walking across it. @milar46 is totally right about that gritty texture being safer. Now he has to add those anti-slip strips, which look kinda bad.

the_eva1d ago

Iris that line about it being "like an ice rink" is exactly what scares me. Did your buddy try to grind it down a bit before adding those strips, or did he just give up and stick them on top? Seems like a lot of extra work when a rough trowel job from the start would have saved the headache.