To Trowel or not to Trowel? 1

[jike]

For an exterior slab that will receive a broom finish, is it necessary to trowel it after floating?

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

I would use a Fresno to get it a little more even before using the broom.

 

[jike]

Never heard of a "Fresno" in the midwest. What is that?

 

[Ron]

Trowel it for flatness purposes then immediately broom it.

 

[Zambo]

I agree with Ron, but also I would say that troweling will seal and densify the surface making it less liable to shrinkage cracks following the brush finish. Good curing also a strict requirement.

Zambo

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

We use Freson pattles on all our streets in the midwest, St. Louis specifically. It is generally 4 foot wide with a very thin surface. Here is a link from a google search:

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...ges?q=fresno+concrete&start=20&hl=en&lr=&sa=N

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Bridge slabs used to be longitudinally screeded, longitudinally belted, then broomed (sometimes even the broom finish was intentionally omitted). Either way, no trowel finish at all - results were a good looking, durable finish.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net