A homeowner asked me why I trowel in circles instead of straight lines

I was finishing a patio in Boise last Thursday, and the client was watching me work. He asked, 'Why do you go in circles? I thought you were supposed to push it all one way.' I told him circles help close the surface without leaving lines, but his question stuck with me. I've been doing it that way for fifteen years because my old boss taught me that. Now I'm wondering if I should try straight passes on the next pour to see if it saves time on bigger slabs. Has anyone switched up their trowel pattern and seen a real difference in finish or speed?

3 comments

3 Comments

terryw671mo ago

Straight lines are way faster, trust me.

nathan_lopez691mo ago

Ever notice how this is just like people who refuse to use the express lane?

wendy6281mo ago

Honestly, nathan_lopez69 has a point about habits. Try straight lines on a small section first, because a bad finish will cost you more time fixing it.