Quick Answer: What Is Floated Concrete?

When should you float concrete?

Float the concrete when you‘re done grooving and edging (Photo 6). Floating removes the marks left by edging and brings the surface one step closer to a final finish. You may have to bear down on the float if the concrete is starting to harden.

Do you need to float concrete?

Floating has to be done on virtually every concrete job after concrete is poured and leveled. (Leveling is usually accomplished with a screed.) When done properly, floating pushes the aggregate down into the concrete and encourages moisture to rise, helping the concrete dry and creating a smoother surface.

What is the purpose of a floating slab?

Floating slabs behave as a barrier for the entrance of the moisture coming from the ground. It acts a barrier between the superstructure and the ground. This avoids seepage of water and frosting. For this purpose, the slab can be insulated for frost or moisture.

What is a floating slab of concrete?

The term floating slab refers to a two-stage slab construction, where footings are individually. poured, and the centre floor of the slab is poured after footings have cured. The forms of a monolithic slab are designed so that both footing and slab floor are poured at the same time.

How thick does concrete need to be to not crack?

Applied-load cracking.



In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for walkways and patios. Garage slabs and driveways should be 5 to 6 inches thick if any heavy truck traffic is anticipated, otherwise 4 inches is adequate.

What is the difference between a trowel and a float?

A float has a thicker base than a trowel and is usually made of plastic, sponge, rubber, wood or magnesium – a lightweight pale grey metal. It’s used to even up the surface on plaster or concrete, make it firmer and give whatever texture is required.

Why does magnesium float on concrete?

Magnesium smooths the surface of fresh concrete and opens the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool. Most magnesium floats are extruded or cast. Molten magnesium can be cast into any shape desired.

What happens if you overwork concrete?

Overworking can create excessive mortar at the top surface but primarily overworking the surface can significantly reduce or even destroy the air-entrainment along the surface of the slab as shown in Image 3.

Can you put a garage on a slab?

You may want to consider a 6″ thick slab for larger vehicles such as trucks or RVs. For a garage WITHOUT a floor – BUILT ON SITE: Prepare a level concrete slab at least 4” thick and to the exact, outside, dimensions of your garage. You may want to consider a 6″ thick slab for larger vehicles such as trucks or RVs.

What is a floating garage?

What is a floating slab? A floating slab is a concrete slab foundation on which a structure is built. A floating slab does not have frost protected footing and is designed to “float” with the ground during the winter months. Floating slabs are most commonly used when building a detached garage or shed.

Is it better to build on a slab or crawlspace?

Crawl space foundations are recommended for dryer climates since moisture can accumulate there, and they are also recommended in flood-prone areas. A concrete slab ¹ foundation is better in a wet, but not flood-prone climate where moisture might accumulate within a crawl space.

Can I pour my own concrete slab?

Used for walkways, patios, and floors, concrete slabs are inexpensive to install and durable enough to last for years. When you pour your own concrete slab, you’re giving yourself a design material that is adaptive to all of your needs.

How thick should a concrete slab be?

Standard concrete floor slab thickness in residential construction is 4 inches. Five to six inches is recommended if the concrete will receive occasional heavy loads, such as motor homes or garbage trucks. To prepare the base, cut the ground level to the proper depth to allow for the slab thickness.