Before starting a residential or commercial concrete project, there are certain industry terms that you must know. In our previous blog post, we discussed the definition and purpose of concrete joints. Today, we will define what a concrete finisher is and discuss their role in completing your concrete project.
Role and Responsibility
In the construction industry, a concrete finisher is an experienced tradesperson that places, protects, finishes, and repairs concrete. They take on the responsibility of setting concrete forms and making sure that they possess the proper pitch and depth.
The Average Workday
The average workday as a concrete finisher typically involves the following:
- Examine finished work to guarantee proper installation
- Arrange construction molds or forms
- Spread concrete
- Add finisher to finalize the concrete
Another important daily task for this job includes monitoring the weather. The cold, heat, and wind can affect how concrete cures, and a finisher must know how to work around it. Additionally, they must signal and instruct the mixing truck driver on where to park so the concrete is poured where it’s supposed to be.
Tools Used
Concrete finishers are skilled in operating various equipment, all of which they must know how to operate in order to place the concrete. They will also need to know how to operate numerous power and hand tools, like saws, in order to cut expansion joints. You might also see a concrete finisher using a rake, straightedge, or a shovel to spread the concrete until it’s leveled.
Once the concrete is leveled, they will use a long-handed bull float, powered floats, or a hand trowel to smooth the surface. After smoothing, the finishers will then press an edger in between the concrete and the forms to decrease the likelihood of chipping.
Different Types of Finishes
Following the edger pressing, a concrete finisher can use a variety of different finishes on top of the outdoor concrete. For example, if you’re seeking a more decorative look for your concrete, you can ask for a stamp finish. If your main concern is safety, you can prevent slipping by using a broom finish on top of your concrete.
Once you find the right contractor and finisher, let the knowledgeable professionals at Port Aggregates get you the right product. Contact us today to start your concrete project!