The Perfect Finish: A Guide to Concrete Float & Bull Float Hire in Norfolk

 

Pouring a concrete slab is a job of precision and timing. Once the concrete is poured and tamped, you have a limited window to transform a rough, aggregate-heavy surface into a smooth, flat, and durable finish. This is the stage where true professionals stand out, and the key to their success is a tool often known as a Bull Float, Easy Float, or, as some in the trade call it, a Concrete Glider.

At Breckland Plant Hire, we supply contractors and DIY specialists across Norfolk with the essential finishing tools needed for a flawless result. Attempting to finish a large slab with just a hand trowel is a recipe for a sore back and an uneven, unprofessional surface. Hiring a long-reach bull float is the only way to achieve consistent, high-quality results efficiently.

 

What is a Bull Float (or Concrete Glider)?

 

A bull float is a simple but highly effective tool consisting of a long, lightweight, multi-section pole handle connected to a wide, flat blade (the float head). These blades are typically made from magnesium or aluminium.

Its purpose is twofold:

1. Levelling and Smoothing: As you push and pull the wide float head across the surface of the wet concrete, it smooths out high and low spots left after screeding and tamping.
2. Improving Surface Durability: The motion pushes the heavier aggregate just below the surface while drawing the finer particles and cement paste (known as the ‘cream’) to the top. This creates a denser, less porous surface, making the final slab much stronger and more resistant to water damage and frost.

Without this crucial step, the surface remains rough and open-pored, leading to a weaker finish that can flake and spall over time.

 

Why Hiring a Bull Float is Essential

 

A bull float is a specialist tool. For anyone not laying large amounts of concrete every single day, hiring is the most logical and cost-effective option.

• Avoid High Purchase Costs: Professional-grade bull floats are a significant investment. Hiring gives you access to top-quality equipment for a fraction of the cost.
• Save on Storage and Transport: The sectional handles are often over 5 metres long when assembled. They are awkward to store and difficult to transport in a standard car or van. We handle the logistics so you don’t have to.
• Guaranteed Quality: A bent or damaged float head will ruin your concrete finish. Our floats are inspected, cleaned, and maintained to ensure they are perfectly flat and ready to deliver a perfect finish every time.
• A Complete Concrete Solution: When you hire a mixer and compactor plate from us for the prep work, you can easily add the finishing tools to the same order. We are your one-stop-shop for concrete projects in Norfolk.

 

How to Use a Bull Float: Timing is Everything

 

Using a bull float is a skill, but the basic technique can be mastered quickly. The most critical factor is timing.

1. Wait for the Bleed Water: After the concrete is tamped and screeded, a layer of water will “bleed” to the surface. You MUST wait for this water to evaporate completely. Floating too early will trap this water in the slab, severely weakening the surface. The concrete should have a dull sheen before you begin.
2. Assemble and Position: Connect the handle sections to give you enough reach to get across the slab without stepping on it.
3. The First Pass (Push): Place the float head on the concrete at the edge nearest you. Using the twist-handle mechanism, tilt the leading edge of the float up slightly. Now, push the float smoothly across the entire slab away from you. This motion levels the concrete and pushes down the aggregate.
4. The Return Pass (Pull): Once you’ve reached the far side, flatten the blade and then pull it back towards you, again ensuring the new leading edge is slightly raised. This return pass smooths the surface and begins to bring up the cream.
5. Overlap and Repeat: Move along and repeat the process, overlapping your last pass by about half the width of the float head. This ensures there are no lines or ridges.
6. The Goal: Your aim is a uniform, flat surface with no lumps, bumps, or puddles. This creates the perfect canvas for your final finish, whether that’s a steel trowel finish for a garage floor or a brushed texture for an outdoor path.

 

Your Local Finishing Tool Experts in Norfolk

 

Whether you are pouring a large agricultural floor near Swaffham, a new driveway in Dereham, or a perfect workshop base in Thetford, Breckland Plant Hire has the equipment you need. We understand the demands of working with concrete and provide reliable, clean, and effective tools to match.

Our team can advise on the right tools for your specific project, from the initial groundworks with a compactor plate, to mixing with our reliable cement mixers, right through to the final touch with a bull float. Our delivery service across Breckland and the wider Norfolk area ensures you get the right tools on-site, right when you need them.

Don’t let poor finishing undermine your hard work.

To ensure your concrete project has a durable and professional finish, contact Breckland Plant Hire today to hire your bull float.