Identifying Concrete Problems

Cutting through a slab or wall of concrete can be very complicated. With the proper equipment and skills, it is possible to do it yourself. Aside from wearing protective gear, here are three tips to help you as you perform your next concrete cutting project:

Tip #1: Use the Right Saw

Unless you are a professional, you may not realize that there are many different variations of concrete saws, and choosing the right saw for your concrete project is vital to success. There are four main types of concrete saws that you will need to choose from when you begin your project:

• Walk-Behind Saw – This type of saw is best used when you need to remove an entire wall or slab. It is a large saw that can quickly and efficiently handle a large-sized project.
• Wet Saw – With this type of saw, there is a small amount of water constantly sprayed on the blade in order to minimize dust and keep the cutting area clean.
• Handheld Edge Saw – This type of saw is perfect when you need to deal with embedded rebar and/or tough corners.
• Diamond Blade Saw – This type of saw is best-suited for creating sharp, clean cuts and is perfect for decorative projects or for projects that require fine details.

Tip #2: Make Sure the Blades Are Sharp

The importance of sharp blades when cutting concrete cannot be expressed enough. If you try to cut concrete with a dull blade, the damage can be phenomenal. Dull blades increase the likelihood of the concrete fracturing. In addition, the concrete saw could overheat, which increases the production of dust.

Therefore, before you begin cutting, make sure that you are utilizing sharp blades. As you progress through your project, keep an eye on your blades. The moment they show signs of wear and tear, swap them for new ones. If your project is going to require a significant amount of concrete cutting at one time, consider investing in heavy-duty concrete cutting blades upfront to save you from having to change them so often.

Tip #3: Know What's Buried Beneath the Concrete

Before you begin cutting into the concrete, it is crucial that you do your research to find out what is beneath the concrete's surface. It can be very dangerous to simply start cutting without knowing what is underneath. In most cases, you can bet that there will be embedded metal rebar, and there may even be some piping. When it is not possible to gather this type of information, make sure that you are using a blade that is fully capable of sawing through any materials that you may come across.

If you don't feel comfortable cutting through the concrete, contact a concrete professional in your area, such as Concrete Coring Company.