Concrete Flatwork Tools

Screed

• A screed is a straight edgeused to push concrete around and create a level surface. Once the concrete is poured into the form, workers use shovels and rakes to help direct the concrete into place and then a screed is run over the top to begin the finishing process. In some instances the screed is longer than the form and a worker runs it across the top of the form to knock down the high spots and fill in the lows spots.

Float

• Floats knock down ridges in concrete while also filling voids. Workers use them to smooth the concrete by pushing down the stone and bringing the fine material to the surface. Floats come in wood, aluminum, magnesium and stainless steel and have either a tool with a closed handle or mounted on a pole. Floats attached to a pole handle are typically called bull floats.

Trowels

• Trowels are the finish tool when working with concrete. They are made with steel and feature thin blades that are flexible under pressure. Similar to floats, trowels function as hand tools or mounted on poles. Hand trowels feature an open handle. Larger trowels mounted on poles are typically called fresnos. Fresnos do not allow for as much compaction as hand trowels but they do allow workers to reach a larger work area without having to walk on the concrete.

Groovers or Joint Cutters

• Groovers, or joint cutters, make grooves in the concrete. The grooves are used to relieve the pressure of large concrete pads and give the concrete a line to crack along. Without grooves cut into the concrete, the pad could crack unpredictably and be difficult to repair. Grooves should be at least one-quarter of the thickness of the slab. Groovers are hand tools with a closed handle and a "V" shaped bit, while joint cutters are gas-powered saws that use a blade to cut into the concrete.

Other Tools

• Brooms and edgers are a couple of other tools you might find for concrete flatwork. Brooms or brushes create a brushed surface that minimizes the need for maintenance and sealing versus stamped concrete. Edgers come into use while concrete is still in the mold, to round over the edges of the pad and minimize chipping.