Career summary

Details for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers


Description

Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; use saws to cut expansion joints.

Tasks

  • Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
  • Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
  • Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
  • Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
  • Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
  • Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
  • Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
  • Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
  • Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
  • Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
  • Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill.
  • Wet concrete surface, and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.
  • Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth, using trowel.
  • Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.
  • Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.
  • Chip, scrape, and grind high spots, ridges, and rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisels, power grinders, or hand tools.
  • Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation, and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
  • Build wooden molds, and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools.
  • Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.
  • Cut metal division strips, and press them into terrazzo base so that top edges form desired design or pattern.
  • Fabricate concrete beams, columns, and panels.
  • Waterproof or restore concrete surfaces, using appropriate compounds.
  • Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish.
  • Apply muriatic acid to clean surface, and rinse with water.
  • Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface.
  • Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
  • Experience - Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

Knowledge

  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

None found.

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