The leveling operation that removes lumps and hollows and provides a true and uniform concrete surface is called what?

• A. Troweling
• B. Placing
• C. Screeding
• D. Finishing

Answer: (C)

Screeding is the leveling step that brings the surface to a true, uniform plane. A screed board or straightedge is dragged across the top of the freshly placed concrete to strike off excess material and fill in low spots, knocking down lumps and smoothing out hollows. This happens shortly after placement while the concrete is still workable enough to move but starting to set, so you achieve a flat, even surface for the next finishing stages. After screeding, floating and troweling refine the surface for smoothness and density, but the leveling goal you described is accomplished by screeding. Placing is the act of deposition, and finishing covers the subsequent steps to achieve final texture and smoothness, so they aren’t the leveling operation itself.