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Hopewell, NJ on Dec 06, 2011

I recently moved into a house that had a basement french drain installed in 2005.

The basement floor was removed around the perimeter and repoured with some sort of concrete that seems to have never fully hardened. My problem is that it does not matter how much I sweep, the top seems to turn to fine dust and I have a concrete dust cloud in the basement. I don't know if the concrete was mixed or installed correctly but I could not see paint sticking to it. Is there a way to seal this somehow?

9 Comments

The Money Pit New York, NY

Yes, seal the floor with an epoxy based compound. That should seal in the dust and make it much easier to clean. Here is a source where you can buy the "good stuff!" http://www.abatron.com/virtuemart/concretema.... Also see the video on the same page.

on Dec 06, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

Scotty, a thinner product like water based H&C clear coat would have the best chance of adhesion, after damp mopping and letting it dry. You can get this at Sher-Will. It also comes in a solid color stain.
It sounds like the concrete patch guys watered down their mix to get it to blend more easily and this weakens the concrete. ...»

Money Pit, thanks for the link on all the good Abitron products. Their wood filler is the best I know about.
Best, Charles

on Dec 07, 2011 · Like 0
Scott W Hopewell, NJ

I can see using the Abatron product in my garage and thank you for the link. As for the H&C, there are a number of products listed at Sherman Williams but nothing called "Clear Coat". What is the product name?

on Dec 07, 2011 · Like 0
Scott W Hopewell, NJ

After reading further, I see that H&C® Concrete Stain Solid Color Water-Based also comes in clear. I suspect that this is the product Charles? Thanks again.

on Dec 07, 2011 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

The cement hardened fine. What happened when they poured the cement they used to much water and worked the cement so the stone and sand settled out and all that was left at the top was water and the fine cement powder which rubs off quite easy.

on Dec 07, 2011 · Like 1
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

That's right Scott!
U R welcome.
CP

on Dec 07, 2011 · Like 0
Frye finish carpentry & h... Toledo, OH

You might try concrete sealer first,see how that work for you.I sure you can get it at most home improvement stores,By the quick crete mix.

on Dec 07, 2011 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

To dust proof a normal concrete floor, you can even use something as basic and inexpensive as Thompson's Water Sealer. It's the only good use for it that I know, besides as a release agent.
CP

on Dec 08, 2011 · Like 0
Itsreally C Marietta, GA

cement is an ingredient of concrete - what makes concrete hard is a low water:cement ratio, compressive strength of the coarse aggregate, & curing methods,,, woody & peace are both correct in diagnosing the meatheads who put in the conc used too much water,,, they're waterproofers, NOT concrete workers,,, use the clear conc sealer from h&c, abatron is a decent product but i don't think you want to make this an expensive repair project - you just want it dustless-ier, correct ? the water ...»
seal tip is also good ( thanks for pointing out a good use - i never cared for it, either )

on Dec 08, 2011 · Like 2