Concrete flatwork finishing creates smooth, level, and durable surfaces for floors, driveways, and other applications. Concrete placement is first, followed by screeding to level the surface. Screeding removes excess concrete and creates the initial surface. The screed board is pulled across the forms in a straight line. Multiple passes may be required to properly level the surface. Strike-off using a flat board removes high spots. Floating with hand floats or machine floats fills voids and smooths the surface. Machine floats powered by motors cover large areas efficiently. Timing of floating is critical; too early and you push aggregate down; too late and the concrete is too hard. Troweling creates a smooth, hard surface suitable for finished floors. Steel trowels are used for final finishing. Multiple passes refine the surface. Troweling is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Broom finishing creates a non-slip surface suitable for driveways and outdoor areas. A broom dragged across the concrete creates a texture. The texture prevents slipping but is slightly rougher. Control joints (saw-cut grooves) prevent random cracking. Joints typically space 4 to 6 feet apart. Joints allow concrete to move slightly without cracking. Sealers applied after curing protect the concrete surface. Clear sealers prevent water penetration without changing appearance. Colored sealers change the color of the concrete. Sealers extend concrete life by protecting against staining and weathering. Proper curing is critical to concrete strength. Curing compounds seal moisture into the concrete. Moisture retention allows hydration of Portland cement to continue. Curing takes 7 days for partial strength and 28 days for full strength.