Some construction remodeling projects require cutting through existing concrete. If you are facing one of those types of jobs, it may not be appropriate to hire a regular building contractor. While construction companies can perform a wide variety of construction tasks, and while they may willingly claim that they can do concrete cutting, the reality is that cutting concrete is a job that requires specialized skills and tools.
Whether the project is small, like cutting concrete pavers, or a larger task, such as cutting concrete slabs and walls, understanding the correct methods needed to complete a particular job and taking the appropriate safety precautions is crucial to getting the job done efficiently and well. Even if you want to use a specific contractor for the overall remodeling project, if your job involves concrete cutting, you should consider subcontracting that part of the project to a concrete cutting specialist. If you are in the Spokane area, 509 Concrete Cutting and Egress Windows can offer you the expertise you need, and you can be confident that that aspect of your remodeling project will be done accurately and neatly.
To understand a bit more about why you should enlist a specialist, here are some of the different methods of concrete cutting that can be used:
Hammer and Chisel
This is the oldest way to cut concrete, but some concrete-cutting jobs cannot be done any other way, such as when the concrete you must cut is in a hard-to-reach or tight spot where you cannot get saws or other tools. The first step is measuring and marking exactly where you want the cut, then creating a chalk guideline. Along that guideline, you score a shallow cut with a hammer and chisel before you attempt to make the larger cut. Placing your chisel in that scored line, break the concrete with more vigorous blows. The scored line keeps the chisel in place and helps the cut be accurate. When you use this method, you won’t get perfectly clean edges or surfaces. Still, someone with experience using a hammer and chisel can usually refine the rough cut to be more even and smooth.
Circular Saw
Circular saws are versatile and suitable for both small and large concrete pieces, such as blocks, pavers, and walls. While many construction workers can operate a circular saw, concrete cutting requires special considerations. As you can imagine, cutting something as dense and hard as concrete is not easy and is extremely messy; concrete dust, which contains silica, can get everywhere. Consequently, preparation is critical: cover doors and vents, and screen off and seal the area where the cutting will occur. A vacuum with a HEPA filter that will catch fine particulate matter can also be set up to take dust out of the air. The person cutting must wear protective gear, including hearing protection, gloves, eye protection, and a respirator.
Prepare the concrete by establishing a well-marked chalk line where the cut must be. To address the heat generated from the friction of the saw on the concrete and to minimize dust, the cutter will use a wet saw with a diamond blade. Depending on the thickness of the concrete, the cutter may have to make multiple passes. The blade must be sharp, as a dull blade will not cut well and can crack the concrete instead of cutting it, leading to an uneven cut. The cutter should have spare blades on hand to avoid this risk.
Angle Grinder
Angle grinders are useful hand tools with a rapidly rotating disk that can be used for a variety of construction tasks, most often for grinding and polishing metal. However, angle grinders are also effective for cutting through concrete, although usually for smaller jobs, such as cutting pavers, blocks, or concrete boards.
Similar to a circular saw, the angle grinder can be used with different types of blades, and a diamond blade and wet grinder will yield the best results. Again, the cutter should wear protective gear to prevent inhalation of silica dust.
Walk-Behind Saw
A walk-behind saw is the most efficient for larger projects like cutting across a concrete slab. It is unusual for a carpenter used to standard construction jobs to be familiar with using a walk-behind saw, and anyone who attempts to use one should carefully review the saw’s safety manual and follow all precautions. An experienced concrete cutter, such as those at 509 Concrete Cutting and Egress Window, will know how to use a walk-behind saw.
Trencher
Trenchers are ideal for industrial-sized projects, such as cutting through concrete pavement. Like walk-behind saws, trenchers are not for beginners, and jobs that require trenching should hire experienced concrete-cutting contractors.
As noted above, there are different tools for concrete cutting. While some of the tools can be used for more than one type of job, some concrete cutting jobs demand a certain level of skill, knowledge, and experience if you want the job done efficiently and well. The modern tools available today certainly make you stop and marvel at how early stonemasons were able to do what they did with just hammers and chisels.
When embarking on a concrete cutting job, honestly assess whether it is something you should tackle yourself or if it would be wiser to hire a professional. With any question of that nature, you should consider safety; unfortunately, concrete cutting is a job that carries some risk of injury. If you decide to proceed on your own, observe all safety precautions, including reading and heeding any warnings in the instruction manual for the tool you are using, wearing appropriate safety gear, and preparing your site well. In addition, be sure to get any necessary permits before you start a construction job.
For any task that requires concrete cutting, 509 Concrete Cutting and Egress Window can help. If you are in the Spokane area and have a concrete cutting job of any size, contact 509 Concrete Cutting today.
