Boss always argued, but my no-sweep finish on sidewalks holds up better.

Just finished a block where I skipped the final broom sweep. The texture is smoother, but it hasn't slicked over in rain like the standard ones. I think the tiny ridges from brooming trap water and speed up wear. Might be wrong, but five winters in and no callbacks.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_morgan4d ago

Seriously? It's just sidewalk texture.

jessicajohnson8d ago

That bit about the tiny ridges from brooming trapping water really hits home. I see this everywhere, where an extra step that's meant to improve something actually sets up its own failure. It's like when you over-sand wood and the fine dust mixes with the finish to make a weak layer. Sometimes the simpler method, if it's done right, just lasts because there's less to go wrong. Your sidewalk is a perfect example of that.

cole_miller8d ago

Properly done broom finish on concrete actually sheds water better, @jessicajohnson. Those ridges channel rain off the surface instead of letting it pool and freeze smooth.