Best Tool for Cleaning Dust After Concrete Work?

[TyceDallon]

Hey everyone,

I recently helped a neighbor with a small concrete patch job in his garage. After the work was done, there was a lot of fine dust left over, even though we tried to be careful. I used a basic shop vac to clean most of it up, but it still feels like there’s a thin layer hanging around, especially in the corners and cracks.

A concrete contractor who was working nearby mentioned that certain vacuums and attachments are way better at handling fine dust than regular shop vacs. Before I go out and spend money, I wanted to ask what you all use after any dusty work like this?

Any favorite vacuums, attachments, or even tricks to really get that fine dust cleaned up properly?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[TyceDallon]

Hey everyone,

I recently helped a neighbor with a small concrete patch job in his garage. After the work was done, there was a lot of fine dust left over, even though we tried to be careful. I used a basic shop vac to clean most of it up, but it still feels like there’s a thin layer hanging around, especially in the corners and cracks.

A concrete contractor who was working nearby mentioned that certain vacuums and attachments are way better at handling fine dust than regular shop vacs. Before I go out and spend money, I wanted to ask what you all use after any dusty work like this?

Any favorite vacuums, attachments, or even tricks to really get that fine dust cleaned up properly?

Thanks for any tips!
I got some great tips from these professionals: concretecontractorsannarbormichigan.com

I’m mainly looking for something that can handle garage cleanup long-term too not just for concrete dust, but general sawdust and other fine debris. If anyone has a solid all-around setup they recommend, I’d love to hear it.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

My final step is always a ‘wet’ clean to bind and remove even the finest of particles. Two buckets, one ’clean water’ one ‘dirty water’ - or exchange water frequently depending on surface size. Use a floor mop (will work best with corresponding bucket(s) with press) or otherwise use rags slung around a floor wiper and clean/wring well after each pass. The key is really to take up the particles and get rid of them, if you do multiple passes without rigerous cleaning out/ wringing - like they show in commercials - you’re not cleaning you’re spreading.

If it’s dust from drilling/cutting/grinding cured concrete any cleaner will do, if it is dust from mixing and not cured yet make sure you’ll leave no residue, use specialized cleaner in a second go-around if necessary. There are also mixing bucket dust extraction nozzles available that work well and take care of a good portion of the dust created when mixing before it gets a chance to escape and land on surfaces.



A brushed nozzle is great for detail cleaning.

I won’t recommend a particular brand, but a proper, quality, dust extractor with appropriate filters, variable suction, (…) is always favorable for this kind of work and dust extraction via attachments/tools. All the mayor brand’s dust extractors/ vacuums rated for such work will have no problem serving as general ‘shop vac’, some also double as ‘wet vac’ - filter change might be needed. Familiarize yourself with the different brands and what suits your tools/ needs & budget. I don’t generally recommend cyclone setups and large volume extractors/ fixed setups - but they definitely do have a place and make sense when the overall setting/ machinery calls for it.

Again, familiarize yourself with what is available - then ask detailed questions if needed.

Dust containment & dust extraction where and when the dust is created while working (and PPE) should always be #1 priority. Not only saves it time while cleaning up, most importantly it keeps you safe!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[kaymccampbell]

I've got a repowered central ShopVac that vents outside. It's amazing how much **** is still airborne after the filter.

 

[KnurledNut]

I don't personally own one, but for fines like concrete and drywall, especially anything containing silica, a self-cleaning/shaker/pulsing HEPA vacuum is ideal.
The most cost effective option is water cleanup where practical.

 

[cgrutt]

Cheapest and easiest is buying a dust collection bag for inside your shop vac. Hepa rating would be best but anything rated for drywall dust, etc would be better than nothing. Pair that with a fine or Hepa filter and you should keep most of whatever is sucked up in the vac.

Next step up would be an actual HEPA certified vac but they are expensive.

As mentioned above a self cleaning vac is made for concrete work. Companies like Hilti make them. They're even more expensive than the HEPA vacs but you can usually rent them at a tool rental place. Anyplace that rents concrete grinding equipment should have the vacs. Problem with rentals is they are often beat up pretty bad. I had rented a concrete vac for a large project and wound up using my shop vac with hepa filter and bag because the rental seemed as if it was throwing more back into the space than it was picking up.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Self (filter!) cleaning vacs are most useful with large volumes of dust/debris and when run with regular disposable trash bags/ or directly into the bin. A lot of filter bags, especially paper ones, will not survive the constant cleaning action - unless specifically made for the use with that feature.

Edit: Another critical consideration: Disposal. Dust free disposal is a key concern when dealing with dangerous materials. So best practice is to use either disposal or filter bags that allow for dust free handling. So you don’t end up in a cloud of dust when emptying the bin. … Knowing when to use what/ which method is key.

You can get vacs with manual filter cleaning, meaning you close off the nozzle by hand and press a lever - and that will not only clean the filter when needed, but also help with getting the most out of a filter bag - when you typically don’t need to actually clean the filter that much, because nothing gets past the filter bag. (Paper filter bag are mostly not really suitable for this either.)

Any rating is only as good as the lowest rated component in your ’system’.

OP needs to do his homework, on what he actually needs for what he wants to do in future.

In this very instance, as everything concerning the creation of dust is said and done already, he needs to mop up.

Getting ready for the next project means looking at the task at hand, what methods of dust extraction & containment are suitable and then buying (or renting) the right equipment. The more you catch directly at the source, the better.

And I have said this before: rent from highly reputable, professional, places only when it comes to dust extraction & air cleaning equipment - you do not want contaminated or only half-assed maintained units from people who do not know the danger associated with certain types of ’dust’/‘contaminants’.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[tiredoldironworker]

When OSHA started raising hell about silica dust several years ago we went to the "lecture" by the Hilti regional rep and bought the cheapest vacuum they had (about $900) and used it religiously when we were drilling into concrete. It definitely made a difference. But why won't the damned masons use them when power cutting block or bricks or stone? We have to breathe that **** every day! They won't even use the pre-installed water jet on the quickie saw!

 

[Kurt4440]

I purchased a Flex dust extractor about 5 years ago.
If a dedicated dust extractor is out of your budget, I would use a shop vac with a drywall bag and a washable HEPA filter.

I purchased my Flex dust extractor with the Giraffe drywall sander on sale for approximately $400. I figured that I could recoup the $400 by selling the pair used. Unfortunately, I tend to hang on to tools.

 

[Shocker]

So I have been using a Bad Ash III ash vacuum for all super fine suckage. I am currently using it with a Greenblatt drywall sanding system attached to it. Nothing comes out after it goes in.

Here is a quick overview -

I have been using it for drywall dust collection for a few years now and it has worked perfectly. I got mine for a real deal but they can be found for around $100.

I will say that I am guessing not all of them are created equal. Many I see are for use outside but mine is for fireplace cleaning so indoor use. I would make sure whatever you grab is for indoor use.