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Settle a topic of disagreement for me please: cement floors/fumes?

DeadStang

Member
Scenario: I live in western Oregon, with mediumly high humidity (nothing like the midwest or Hawaii, tho) and pretty much constant rain from October thru April.

We have a detached garage that is 100% un-insulated. The old wood siding on the outside of the building is the interior walls, and the floor is a slab of concrete. It is not heated. Water does not leak inside or puddle on the floor.

The debate is whether the concrete releases acidic vapors that will facilitate rust on the cars stored inside...And would running a fan, on low continuously, help minimize this? Or am I being totally anal retentive (this is a distinct possibility for those who don't know me) and shouldn't be wasting the electricity for the fan?
 
I've been around new construction for a long time, and i've never heard concern with acidic vapors and concrete. The concrete is porous, so vapors could leach up through it. But cured concrete should not be producing vapors. i'd be more concerned with the humidity causing corrosion then the concrete. In my opinion, A dehumidifier may be a good idea.
 
Same here. I don't see much to worry about....unless Hoffa is in your concrete. BP is a concrete dude. Might want to PT him.
 
It isn't acidic, it alkali. The best way to treat unfinished concrete is to treat it with a liberal amount of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, working it in with a floor buffer and a steel wool pad, then flush with liberal amounts of water. This will remove the laitence left at the top of the pad from the concrete curing and the moisture evaporating during the cure. When dry, finish with a concrete sealer or epoxy coating.
 
"bartl" said:
It isn't acidic, it alkali. The best way to treat unfinished concrete is to treat it with a liberal amount of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, working it in with a floor buffer and a steel wool pad, then flush with liberal amounts of water. This will remove the laitence left at the top of the pad from the concrete curing and the moisture evaporating during the cure. When dry, finish with a concrete sealer or epoxy coating.

Interesting.

One problem I have with the floor in my garage, which is attached to the house, tends to sweat a lot in the summer. I assume the above procedure (including sealing) would help remedy this perhaps?

The garage is semi-conditioned. There is one supply vent into the garage. No returns though. It's a large 3 car garage as well.
 
Im in Atlanta and you just described my garage.
no insulation unsealed concrete floors mine draws in the moisture from what i noticed it pulls in not evap out.
My car has been in raw metal off and on and a old hood is stripped sitting there 2 years now not rusting.
 
OK, I guess my garage floor is alright...it is so old that it doesn't sweat, so I'll quit worrying about it. Thanks everyone!
 
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