Usually a magnesium or aluminum blade about 3 to 5 ft wide on extension handles long enough to reach the middle of the slab from the edge. Run right after screeding, it knocks down ridges, fills small voids and embeds coarse aggregate, with the leading edge tipped up so it rides instead of digging. It has to happen before bleed water rises, because floating a bleeding surface traps water and weakens the top.
Bull float it once now and then leave it alone till the bleed water's gone, I don't want you chasing water.
Also heard as
- bull floating
- bull
Related terms
Screed
To strike off fresh concrete to the right height, or the straightedge, board or machine that does it.
Bleed water
Water that rises to the surface of fresh concrete as the heavier solids settle.
Floating
The finishing step that levels, compacts and opens the surface of a slab once the bleed water is gone.
Fresno
A long-handled steel trowel finishers swing across a slab from its edge to smooth it without walking on it.
Cream
The cement paste and fine sand that finishing tools bring to the surface, giving finishers something to work.