What is the primary purpose of using a bull float after initial screeding?

• A. To create a broom textured surface
• B. To settle the surface by vibrating it
• C. To bring up cream and consolidate the surface, leveling small lows and closing the surface without bringing excessive laitance to the top
• D. To accelerate curing by increasing evaporation

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is to smooth and consolidate the surface right after screeding. A bull float helps bring the creamy cement paste up to the surface and push fines and small air voids into a more even layer, which levels small lows and closes the surface. This creates a denser, more uniform top without pulling excessive laitance to the very top.

Because the bull float is a non-vibrating, flat blade, it doesn’t vibrate the mix or accelerate curing. It’s not used to create a broom texture—that comes from later finishing with a broom—and it isn’t about speeding evaporation. By pushing the paste slightly and smoothing the surface, it prepares the concrete for the final finishing steps while avoiding a weak, laitance-rich surface.