Before troweling, what must have been done first to the surface?

Before troweling, what must have been done first to the surface?

• A. Edging
• B. Screeding
• C. Floating
• D. Cleaning

Answer: (C)

Finishing a concrete surface requires floating to be done before the final trowel finish. Floating consolidates and smooths the top layer, bringing fines to the surface and closing over small voids. This creates a uniform, workable surface that can support a dense, smooth trowel finish without tearing or pulling laitance. If you go straight to troweling without floating, the surface may be too soft or uneven, leading to a rough finish and more surface flaws. Edge work and the initial leveling are done earlier in the process to shape the slab, while cleaning is not the step that prepares the surface for troweling.

Finishing a concrete surface requires floating to be done before the final trowel finish. Floating consolidates and smooths the top layer, bringing fines to the surface and closing over small voids. This creates a uniform, workable surface that can support a dense, smooth trowel finish without tearing or pulling laitance. If you go straight to troweling without floating, the surface may be too soft or uneven, leading to a rough finish and more surface flaws.

Edge work and the initial leveling are done earlier in the process to shape the slab, while cleaning is not the step that prepares the surface for troweling.