Which option correctly matches a common surface defect with its remedy?

• A. Scaling — improper curing
• B. Dusting — seal or cure and seal; avoid overfinishing
• C. Crazing/cracks — ignore joints
• D. Popouts — patch with epoxy

Answer: (B)

Dusting is a powdery, loose layer of cement paste on the concrete surface. The most effective fix is to apply a surface sealer or a cure-and-seal product to harden and protect that top layer, which helps prevent further shedding of powdery material. At the same time, avoiding overfinishing is important because excessive troweling or finishing can pull more fines to the surface and worsen the dusting condition. This pairing—dusting addressed by sealing and by not overworking the surface—directly targets the practical way to stabilize the top layer and prevent recurrence.

Other options don’t fit as well because their remedies don’t address the same immediate surface condition. Scaling relates more to surface loss from freeze–thaw or poor curing and is not best treated simply by “improper curing.” Crazing or cracks require proper jointing and sealing rather than ignoring joints. Popouts are typically repaired by removing the loose material and patching with a suitable mortar or epoxy, not by a cure-and-seal approach.