Stoping Dust From Basement Concrete Floor

[zeruel]

I'm interested in using my basement as a gym, and one of the things that concerns me is the amount of dust down there. I know one source is the ancient lime mortar in the brick walls, which I plant to repoint.  Another source of dust seems to be the concrete floor itself.

There seem to be a number of products that I could apply to the floor to seal it, but I am not sure what is the best. What is easiest to use, given that I am primarily interested in stopping dust? 

Since I can't easily move everything out of the basement (but can cram everything to one side of it), it needs to be something I can apply one section at a time as well. I understand some products will leave obvious lines if done that way.

[lthenderson]

For our exercise room in the basement, we simply bought some of those square carpet tiles with rubber backing. Stores always have random odd boxes that they sell cheaply. We laid those down and then vacuum it once in a long while, maybe once a month or so when it starts showing dirt.

[fixie]

I would recommend a quality concrete sealer(inexpensive) or even better, an epoxy coating much like those you see in spiffy garages.  The epoxy coating takes a bit more skill/technique but there are very good videos online(of course) on properly applying the coating.  Either CAN be done in sections but you'll probably find the results to look patchy and perhaps unsightly.

-fixie

[Kem]

If you plan on lifting, just go to a barn supply store and snag a rubber horse stall mat.

You'd need to put down a shock mat anyways so you do not crack the concrete with your irons

[SunnyDays]

I just painted my basement floor with concrete paint because I have dust allergies.  If it’s still the original concrete, you have to etch it first with acid (forget what it’s called - a paint store should know).  It’s held up pretty well for 27 years, but there are spots of efflorescence appearing in a few places.