Just realized I've been timing my bull float all wrong

I was finishing a garage slab last week and the surface kept tearing up. My buddy from the crew pointed out I was starting to float way too early. I was going by the clock, about 45 minutes after the pour, but he said to watch the bleed water. The concrete was still bleeding when I started, which was pulling fines up and making it rough. Now I wait until the sheen is completely gone, even if it takes over an hour. How do you guys judge the right time to start floating?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray_miller412mo ago

Going by the clock" was my mistake too. I've left more boot prints in concrete that was too wet than I care to admit, trying to be on schedule.

robin_roberts842mo ago

Tell me about it, I've ruined a few slabs myself rushing to beat the rain, lol.

derek6562mo ago

Look at it this way, a few boot prints aren't the end of the world. It's not like the whole slab cracks. Most of the time you just trowel over it and it's fine. People act like it's a huge fail but it's just part of the job sometimes.