How to Bull Float a Cement Slab

Pouring cement, believe it or not, is an art form. Without the proper instruction or experience, though, it is a job that can go wrong very quickly. One of the tools used when finishing a slab is a bull float, which is the tool that is used to give the finished product the smooth appearance that we come to expect from a well poured slab.

Water hose
Screed board
Bull float with extension handle

Instructions

- 1
  Drag the screed board (a 2 x 4 or similar piece of material) across the form boards that line the slab to bring the cement down to the correct level.
- 2
  Attach as many extension pieces to the handle of the bull float as needed to reach the farthest parts of the slab.
- 3
  Spray the surface of the wet cement with water from the hose.
- 4
  Draw the bull float across the slab to yourself, starting at the farthest point from yourself.
- 5
  Continue smoothing the surface by repeating step 4, spraying more water if needed to help smooth and guide the float.
- 6
  Continue in this manner until the slab is completely smooth.

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