Concrete Dust Control & Dustproofing
With concrete dust control, Two different problems get called dust control: containing silica while we work, and stopping a bare slab shedding dust once we leave. They have different answers.
Concrete dust control — two problems, two different answers
Silica dust during the work
In practice, grinding and blasting throw respirable crystalline silica, which is a health hazard and an OSHA-regulated one. We run HEPA-managed containment on every project so work can happen in occupied buildings.
A slab that dusts every day
If the floor sheds dust with no work going on, that is a bare concrete problem rather than a containment one. Typically, hardening the slab with a silicate densifier is the fix.
Shutdowns and cleanup costs
As a result, uncontrolled dust coats inventory, racking and finished spaces, which means shutdowns and cleaning bills. In short, capturing it at the machine is cheaper than either.
Concrete dust control — the word covers two unrelated things
Generally, getting this right saves specifying a system you do not need. One is how a project is run. Because of that, the other is a treatment applied to the concrete itself.
Containment during a project
In most cases, this is not a product bought separately. In addition, it is how AWSP runs every grinding and blasting job, with HEPA extraction at the machine and containment around the work area.
Dustproofing an existing slab
If the concern is a bare floor that keeps dusting, the answer is a silicate densifier that hardens the concrete. For example, that work is covered on our densifying and sealing page.
How a concrete dust control project runs
Site assessment
However, we walk the slab, check its condition, test for moisture where it matters, and give you a clear scope with no vague line items.
Set containment
In other words, work areas are isolated where needed, with HEPA-managed extraction running at each machine rather than relying on cleanup afterwards.
Work and monitor
Dust is captured at source throughout the work, so adjacent tenants, stock and other trades are not affected.
Clean handoff
Of course, we leave the space cleaner than we found it, with the work area returned to use.
Where we provide concrete dust control
In practice, all West Surface Prep is based in Commerce City, Colorado and works across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and South Dakota. Typically, for Denver metro projects specifically, see our dust control in Denver page.
Colorado60 cities
New Mexico7 cities
South Dakota6 cities
Concrete dust control — common questions about dust control
Can you work in an occupied building?
Yes. As a result, hEPA-managed containment is standard on every grinding and blasting project, and it is what makes working around live operations possible.
Is dust control a separate service I buy?
No. In short, containment is part of how we run the work rather than an add-on line item. If the slab itself is dusting, that is densifying and sealing instead.
Why does silica dust matter?
Generally, respirable crystalline silica is a health hazard and OSHA-regulated. Because of that, capturing it at the machine protects your staff, our crew and every other trade on site.
Our warehouse floor sheds dust constantly. Is that this?
In most cases, that is a bare slab problem rather than a containment one. In addition, a silicate densifier hardens the surface and stops it dusting.
Get a concrete dust control quote
For example, send the facility type, the approximate square footage and whether the building has to stay open. However, you will hear back the same business day.