What is the Purpose of a Concrete Walking Groover, and Do I Need One?

When creating a fresh slab of concrete, one big thing to look out for is the formation of cracks. Cracks can weaken your concrete and make it more susceptible to coming apart, and it also becomes less safe to walk or build on if it has cracked. Luckily, there is a tool available that helps you prevent your concrete from cracking, and it’s easy to use, even for a DIY concreter.

Concrete groovers are a nifty little hand tool that gives you control over how and where your concrete cracks. These tools, and their more mobile counterparts concrete walking groovers, are a must-have for anyone pouring their own concrete slabs.

Interested in concrete walking groovers and how they can help your concreting projects? This is the blog for you! We’re going to discuss what these tools are, how they can help and how to use them.

Let’s begin.

What is a Concrete Walking Groover?

Concrete groovers and concrete walking groovers are two versions of the same tool. A concrete groover is a small, handheld tool that consists of a handle attached to a flat piece of material, usually stainless steel, cast iron or bronze, with a valley running down the middle.

Concrete groovers are designed to be light and easy to use. Modern groovers will have ergonomic handles that make extended work periods easy on the hands and a smooth polish to help them glide through concrete more easily.

A concrete walking groover is the same but features an attachment on the handle that can facilitate the addition of a long pole, much like a broom or a rake. This pole allows the worker to use the groover from a standing position rather than having to squat or kneel down next to the concrete. A walking groover also makes it easier to reach the centre of the concrete slab without having to walk on it, meaning less time is spent smoothing the concrete afterwards.

Concrete groovers and concrete walking groovers can cost you anywhere from $25 to $85, depending on a variety of factors such as:

1. The material the groover is made from, both the handle and the blade.

2. The width and depth of the ‘bit’ – the part of the groover that creates the line in your concrete.

3. If the groover can be attached to a handle and has ‘walking’ capabilities.

Most concrete tool suppliers will have a good range of concrete groovers for you to choose from, and can assist you in finding one that meets your needs without breaking your budget.

Shopping for concreting tools in Melbourne? Choose Australian Slate-Crete Supplies and enjoy a huge range of quality tools for sale!

How Does Using a Concrete Walking Groover Affect My Concrete?

Can making grooves in your concrete really help that much? The answer is always yes! And creating these grooves can do more than just prevent your concrete from cracking (although this is a very important benefit they provide).

Let’s go through some of the ways using a groover can affect your concrete.

It Gives You Control Over Cracking

The number one benefit of using a groover is that it can help prevent your concrete from cracking. Concrete usually cracks when it dries, as it will shrink as the moisture content inside the concrete evaporates. But by creating grooves, we can encourage the concrete to crack where we want!

Creating grooves in concrete (you’ll want to use a groover that can create a line that is one-quarter of your concrete’s total depth) means it will crack underneath these straight lines instead of through the middle of your slab. These controlled cracks give your concrete the space it needs to dry and contract if needed.

Makes the Concrete Easier to Walk on

Ever tried walking on smooth concrete when it’s icy, wet or slippery? Slipping on smooth, finished concrete is easy, especially when it has been sealed to create a smoother finish. This can be a problem for people using concrete pathways and is also dangerous for animals like cattle or sheep who walk on concrete, as their hooves can’t always grip the surface.

You can use a concrete groover to create texture on a concrete surface that makes it much easier to walk on. It doesn’t have to be the lines you would use traditionally–use the groover to create short, broken lines along the path that indicate the safest way to walk for ease of use.

Can Prevent Water from Pooling

If concrete has been sealed for its protection, then any water from rain, gardening or cleaning can sit on top of it instead. This sitting water can become a slip hazard for pedestrians and vehicles, especially if there are any greases or oils on the concrete already.

By cutting grooves into your concrete, you can create channels for the water to run off in, or at least create a space for the liquid to sit where it won’t be walked or driven on while it evaporates.

Adds Visual Interest

Plain concrete can look quite utilitarian, but there are many ways you can decorate it that won’t decrease its strength or longevity. Colouring your concrete, creating a pattern using a stencil or sealing it are all options for after it has dried–but why not use a groover to make some detail while it’s still wet?

Use your groover to create patterns that add some visual detail to your concrete that can double as slip prevention in areas like your pool surround, backyard pathways or driveway. Not only can they make these features a little safer, but an increase in aesthetics can also help boost the value of your property.

Find out more about concreting tools in our blog, 8 Hand Tools Melbourne Concreters Need To Have.

How to Use a Concrete Walking Groover

Decided you want the benefits of a concrete walking groover for your project? Here is how to use one:

1. Pour your concrete and smooth it over using a tool like a bullfloat.

2. Decide where you want your grooves to be. If you are going to be making more than one, measure out where they will go so they are an equal distance apart from one another for a more professional look.

3. Make sure the groover you are using can create a dip that is one-quarter of the depth of your slab. Push the concrete walking groover into the concrete on the side of the slab closest to you. Then, push it along the line where you want it to crack to the edge. Pull it back through towards you.

4. If the edges of the line are looking a little crumbly or some aggregates have been exposed, use a bullfloat to smooth it back down. You can run the groover through again afterwards.

And that’s it! Make sure to wipe any remaining concrete off your groover to keep it smooth and easy to use for your next project.

For more information on bullfloats, check out our blog on the Top 5 Benefits of Using a Bull Float for Concrete Smoothing.

Concrete Walking Groovers FAQs

1. Is a concrete walking groover better than a handheld groover?

If you are working on concrete that is reasonably wide, then a walking groover can make the grooving process much easier. You won’t need to walk on the concrete or set up planks to get across, making the entire project go faster.

If you need to make grooves very precisely (like for decorative purposes) then a handheld groover might be a little easier to control.

2. What material is the best for a concrete walking groover to be made out of?

Most workers enjoy the smooth texture and light weight of polished stainless steel for their concrete groovers. It creates a smooth line, is easy to use for long periods of work and isn’t hard to clean up afterwards.

3. Can I make grooves in concrete using another type of tool?

Technically, you could create a groove using any flat, straight tool. However, a groover is your best bet, as it has been designed to help you create straight lines that are the correct depth. Creating a groove that is too shallow won’t give you the control over the cracking you need, and one that is too deep can compromise the structural integrity of your slab.

If you have any more questions regarding concrete walking groovers and how to use them, please send us an email at sales@australianslatecrete.com.au with your query, or use our online request form and we’ll get back to you.

Get Your Concrete Walking Groover From Australian Slate-Crete Supplies!

For a great range of concrete groovers, you can’t beat the stock at Australian Slate-Crete Supplies. Whether you’re creating a new garage floor or a decorative concrete patio, we have the tools and supplies to make it happen.

As your trusted supplier of concrete hand tools in Australia, the team at Aus Slate-Crete is here to help with all your decorative concrete needs. Please call us on 03 9408 7722 or visit us at our shop in Epping if you need more assistance from our concrete tool suppliers.