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What, Why & How?

Dusting Concrete Surfaces

CONCRETE IN PRACTICE CIP 1

WHAT is Dusting

Formation of loose powder resulting from disintegra-

tion of surface of hardened concrete is called dusting
or chalking. The characteristics of such surfaces are:
a. They powder under any kind of traffic
b. They can be easily scratched with a nail or even
by sweeping.

WHY Do Concrete Floors Dust?

A concrete floor dusts under traffic because the wear-

Dusting concrete surface
ing surface is weak. This weakness can be caused by:

a. Any finishing operation performed while bleed wa- which greatly reduces the strength and hardness of
ter is on the surface or before the concrete has fin- the concrete surface.
ished bleeding. Working this bleed water back into
the top 1/4 inch [6 mm] of the slab produces a very e. Insufficient curing. This omission often results
high water-cement ratio and, therefore, a low in a soft surface skin, which will easily dust under
strength surface layer. foot traffic.
b. Placement over a non-absorptive subgrade or poly- f. Inadequate protection of freshly placed concrete
ethylene vapor retarder. This reduces normal absorp- from rain, snow or drying winds. Allowing the con-
tion by the subgrade, increases bleeding and, as a crete surface to freeze will weaken the surface and
result, the risk of surface dusting. result in dusting.
c. Floating and/or troweling operations following the
condensation of moisture from warm humid air on HOW to Prevent Dusting
cold concrete. In cold weather concrete sets slowly,
in particular, cold concrete in basement floors. If a. Concrete with the lowest water content with an ad-
the humidity is relatively high, water will condense equate slump for placing and finishing will result in
on the freshly placed concrete, which, if troweled a strong, durable, and wear-resistant surface. In
into the surface, will cause dusting. general, use concrete with a moderate slump not
exceeding 5 inches [125 mm]. Concrete with a higher
d. Inadequate ventilation in enclosed spaces. Carbon slump may be used provided the mixture is designed
dioxide from open salamanders, gasoline engines to produce the required strength without excessive
or generators, power buggies or mixer engines may bleeding and/or segregation. Water-reducing admix-
cause a chemical reaction known as carbonation, tures are typically used to increase slump while
 maintaining a low water content in the mixture. This
HOW to Repair Dusting
is particularly important in cold weather when de-
layed set results in prolonged bleeding. a. Sandblast, shot blast or use a high-pressure washer
b. NEVER sprinkle or trowel dry cement into the to remove the weak surface layer.
surface of plastic concrete to absorb bleed water. b. To minimize or eliminate dusting, apply a commer-
Remove bleed water by dragging a garden hose cially available chemical floor hardener, such as
across the surface. Excessive bleeding of concrete sodium silicate (water glass) or metallic zinc or
can be reduced by using air-entrained concrete, by magnesium fluosilicate, in compliance with
modifying mix proportions, or by accelerating the manufacturer’s directions on thoroughly dried
setting time. concrete. If dusting persists, use a coating, such as
c. DO NOT perform any finishing operations with latex formulations, epoxy sealers, or cement paint.
water present on the surface or while the concrete c. In severe cases, a serviceable floor can be obtained
continues to bleed. Initial screeding must be promptly by wet-grinding the surface to durable substrate
followed by bull floating. Delaying bull floating op- concrete. This may be followed by properly bonded
erations can cause bleed water to be worked into placement of a topping course. If this is not practical,
surface layer. Do not use a jitterbug, as it tends to installation of a floor covering, such as carpeting or
bring excess mortar to the surface. DO NOT add vinyl tile covering, is the least expensive solution to
water to the surface to facilitate finishing operations. severe dusting. This option will require some prior
d. Do not place concrete directly on polyethylene preparation since adhesives for floor covering materi-
vapor retarders or non-absorptive subgrades as als will not bond to floors with a dusting problem and
this can contribute to problems such as dusting, scal- dusting can permeate through carpeting.
ing, and cracking. Place 3 to 4 inches [75 to 100
mm] of a trimable, compactible fill, such as a References
crusher-run material, over vapor retarders or non- 1. Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction, ACI 302.1R.
absorptive subgrade prior to concrete placement. American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
When high evaporation rates exist, lightly dampen
absorptive subgrades just prior to concrete place- 2. Slabs on Grade, Concrete Craftsman Series CCS-1, Ameri-
can Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
ment, ensuring that water does not pond or collect
on the subgrade surface. 3. Concrete Slab Surface Defects: Causes, Prevention, Repair,
IS177, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL
e. Provide proper curing by using liquid membrane
4. The Effect of Various Surface Treatments, Using Zinc and
curing compound or by covering the surface with
Magnesium Fluosilicate Crystals on Abrasion Resistance of
water, wet burlap, or other curing materials as soon Concrete Surfaces, Concrete Laboratory Report No. C-819,
as possible after finishing to retain moisture in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
slab. It is important to protect concrete from the
5. Residential Concrete, National Association of Home Build-
environment at early ages. ers, Washington, DC.
f. Placing concrete in cold weather requires concrete 6. Trouble Shooting Guide for Concrete Dusting, Concrete Con-
temperatures exceeding 50°F [10°C] as well as an struction, April 1996.
accelerating admixture.

Follow These Rules to Prevent Dusting

1. Use moderate slump concrete not exceeding 5 inches [125 mm].
2. Do not start finishing operation while the concrete is bleeding.
3. Do not broadcast cement or sprinkle water on concrete prior to or during finishing operations.
4. Ensure that there is adequate venting of exhaust gases from gas-fired heaters in enclosed spaces.
5. Use adequate curing measures to retain moisture in concrete for the first 3 to 7 days and protect it from
the environment, especially freezing.

Technical information prepared by © National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.

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