True or False: If concrete is setting slowly, floating should be done when the finisher's footprint is 1/2 inch or more.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not applicable
• D. Often

Answer: (B)

Floating is done while the surface of the concrete is still plastic and can accept the finish without being torn or gouged. A quick, practical cue is the finisher’s footprint depth: it shows how stiff the surface has become. If the footprint is deep—about a half inch or more—that means the surface has stiffened sufficiently that further finishing with a hand float or trowel risks creating grooves, pulling fines, or tearing the surface instead of creating a smooth finish.

Even if the concrete is setting slowly, you want to finish while the surface is still receptive, with only light, shallow footprints. Waiting for a deep impression in the surface indicates you’ve passed the optimal window for floating, leading to a less uniform finish. The goal is to maintain a shallow footprint and smooth the surface progressively with appropriate tools (bull float, hand float) before the surface hardens further.

So the statement is false: you should not wait until the finisher’s footprint is 1/2 inch or more; float while footprints are small and the surface can still be tempered.