VCT over soft/dusting concrete

[Tutt]

My garage floor has soft and heavily dusting concrete. From the internet reading i have done i think that they over worked the concrete when pouring the slab. There are zero cracks or any indication of foundation problems, so i believe this is just an issue at the surface. The house is about 14 years old.

The dusting is pretty intense. If I work in there much and dont shop vac the floor, you can feel the loose "sand" under your shoes. The surface is a bit rough now from the gradual erosion of the surface. If i drag a pallet across the floor with a nail sticking out, there will definitely be a scratch left in the concrete.

I think that VCT fits my budget and project magnitude appetite at this point in my life, but i am a bit concerned about it sticking to the sketchy concrete surface.

The garage is used for working on cars and i have a lathe and a couple of mills also. I also tend to buy/sell machines, so those always seems to be coming and going. I move them around with a pallet jack.

Can i just glue the tiles down like I would on a healthy concrete surface, or should a treat the surface with densifier first?

 

[mnavillus]

the densifier would be a good start....however its tough to say how well it will perform without knowing the extend of the dusting issue....however its probably worth a shot.

be sure the VCT adhesive and the densifier are compatible.

Good luck

 

[vintagespeed1956]

give it a good grinding? cost is $100 for a 4hr rental.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

If you recognize it's soft and dusting it might be a good idea to grind it, densify post grind and then lay your tiles.

Densifier will help with dusting but it will not turn soft concrete into hard concrete.
It turns hard concrete harder. If that makes sense.

 

[Tutt]

I realize every situation is different, but how much should i expect to have to grind down?