Overworking the surface during finishing can cause which combination of effects on the final appearance?

• A. It increases bleed water and leaves a smooth, glossy finish.
• B. It pulls cement paste to the surface, causes laitance, reduces bleed water segregation, and creates a dull or dusty finish.
• C. It hardens the surface excessively and creates a glassy finish.
• D. It has no effect on appearance if the mix is proper.

Answer: (B)

Overworking the surface during finishing pushes water and fine cement paste toward the top, forming laitance. This weak, paste-rich layer is easy to dust away and can prevent a proper bond with toppings or sealers later. The excessive finishing also dulls the surface and can cause micro-segregation, giving a dusty, non-uniform appearance. So, the combination described—cement paste pulled to the surface, laitance formation, reduced bleed-water/segregation effects, and a dull or dusty finish—best matches what actually happens when you overwork the surface. Other scenarios—creamy bleed-water with a smooth glossy finish, an excessively glassy surface, or no effect if the mix is proper—don’t reflect the typical outcome of overworking.