Bull float A wide, flat tool attached to a long, extendable handle that is pushed and pulled across freshly poured concrete to level large areas and embed coarse aggregate.
Immediately after wet concrete is poured and screeded, a bull float is used to flatten the surface of the sidewalk slab. The long, multi-section handle allows the operator to smooth the entire width of a standard NYC sidewalk flag from a single position without stepping onto the wet concrete. This step consolidates the mix, pushes larger stones below the surface, and prepares the top layer for fine hand floating and the required slip-resistant texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bull float
What is a bull float?
A wide flat blade on a long extendable handle, pushed and pulled across fresh concrete to level large areas.
Why use one on a sidewalk flag?
Its reach lets the operator smooth the full width of a standard flag without stepping onto the wet concrete.
What does bull floating accomplish?
It flattens the surface, consolidates the mix and pushes coarse aggregate below the surface so finishing can proceed.
When is it used?
Immediately after screeding, before hand floating and final texturing.