Follow these tips when cutting concrete.
Concrete makes for an extremely hard and durable building material. That same strength poses difficulty when you have to cut through it for any reason. Most cutting methods involve breaking the concrete at the cutting point, which creates jagged cuts as well as messy cutting areas. The prospect of cutting concrete can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Most of the battle can be won by simply selecting the right tools. Whether you’re cutting concrete blocks or slabs, walls or floors, here are some simple, useful tips to cut through concrete safely and efficiently.
Step by Step
- Mark your cutting line onto the concrete using a 2-by-4 as a straightedge to guide the chalk. Orange chalk works well as a marker because it shows up brightly against the concrete and washes away easily.
- Attach a diamond blade to your circular saw for use on the concrete surface. Place masking tape along the bottom of the saw body where it runs against the concrete to prevent the bottom from scratching the concrete surface.
- Place the saw onto the surface of the concrete with the blade aligned with the chalk line. Place the 2-by-4 straightedge against the base of the saw so that it runs parallel to the chalk line to serve as a guide for the saw to maintain the straightness of the cut.
- Follow the chalk line closely with the blade of the saw. Use as little pressure on the motion of the saw as possible, allowing the saw to do most of the work for you. Use a low RPM setting when cutting through the concrete to keep the blade from overheating.
Protect Yourself
You should wear proper protective gear performing any concrete cutting job. If you are cutting for a long period of time, it is recommended to wear some type of respiratory protection to avoid inhaling particles. Protective gloves and footwear, specifically steel-toed boots, should be worn during concrete cutting.
Construction Safety and GPR Scanning from Concrete Visions
Concrete Visions has over 12 years of experience and expertise in concrete scanning and we know how to detect any problems lurking beneath the surface. We use ground penetrating radar accurately and expertly and are familiar in many other methods that can be used when appropriate like concrete x-ray and electromagnetic conductivity. We are also very familiar with the latest construction safety techniques and train all of our workers to do their work quickly, accurately, and safely. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, give is a call at (410) 766-2210 or visit us online. For more articles and tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.