In finishing concrete, which step is typically performed last?

In the process of finishing concrete, troweling is typically the last step performed. Troweling involves the use of a trowel to smooth the concrete surface and is crucial for creating a dense, polished finish. This step helps compact the surface and can remove any imperfections left from earlier finishing steps, such as screeding and floating.

Before troweling, the concrete is initially leveled with screeding, which establishes the general surface level. After that, floating is done to further smooth and refine the surface, as well as to help embed aggregate into the concrete. Edging is done to create clean lines around the perimeter of the slab, providing a finished look. However, troweling is the final action to achieve a perfectly smooth and hard surface, ensuring that the concrete is ready for its intended use.

Troweling contributes significantly to the durability and aesthetics of the concrete; it enhances the surface finish and can reduce the porosity, making it less susceptible to water infiltration and further damage. Hence, it is the last critical step that finalizes the concrete finishing process.