Troweling follows immediately after which step?

• A. Floating
• B. Edging
• C. Jointing
• D. Cleaning

Answer: (A)

Finishing a concrete slab follows a specific sequence to properly level, smooth, and densify the surface. After strike-off or screeding, the surface is uneven and high spots remain. Floating steps in to level the surface, bring the cream paste up, fill voids, and begin to close the pores. Only after this has started to happen is the surface ready for troweling. Troweling uses a steel blade to densify and burnish the surface, giving a dense, smooth finish that holds up well and resists surface defects. If you trowel before floating, you trap laitance and leave the surface rough or weak; if you delay troweling too long, the surface can stiffen beyond workability, making it harder to achieve a smooth finish. Edging and jointing address edges and joints and are performed as part of the overall finishing process, while cleaning is a later step to remove dust or residue.