The Top Reasons You Need a Concrete Cutting and Removal Service

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Concrete is durable that’s why it has been a popular material for ground surfaces.  

Unfortunately, there are times when you need it removed.  It may have been broken beyond repair or you want to replace your floor or any other surface.

And if you’re still deciding whether it would be a do-it-yourself project or hire a professional for it, here are some points to consider tapping a pro to do it.

 

1. Repairing A Broken Water Pipe Or Sewer

The cause of the damage may differ. For instance, it could be unsettled ground or corrosion of the pipe. The latter is more likely when copper pipes are used, as copper can corrode easily.

In going about the repair, it’s necessary to remove the concrete slabs that are directly above the pipes. This is because sewage line and water pipes are often underneath sidewalks or pavements.

 

2. Adding Drainpipes

In specific countries in the Northern Hemisphere, rain can go on for weeks without ceasing.  This may seem beneficial for plants after a drought, but too much water can damage them.

So that the water would amass into a flood, property owners place additional drainpipes in the yard.

To do this, it is necessary to dig trenches from the area to the sewage system.

 

3. Changing The Property Landscape

This is one of the most common reasons for you to enlist concrete cutting and removal services.  For example, if you want to have a jacuzzi in the backyard, you need to remove the patio. With this, you need the removal of the concrete patio surface.

In the same manner, when you’re building a swimming pool in the backyard, you would need to cut a concrete slab to make space for the pool and replace it with another surface.

 

4. Widening Doors And Window Spaces

Windows typically have wood that expands and contracts to depend on the temperature. In most cases, the moving areas of the windows are painted over to “make them pretty”.  

However, these wooden and painted surfaces could get stuck, making the window immobile and useless.  In the same way, wooden doors will contract and the painted hinges will become fused to the expanding wood.

For both instances, you need to cut and remove the concrete. Professional concrete cutters will cut around the windows and doors; thus, reducing the tension on the item and remove any jamming.

 

5. Gaining Access To Crawl Spaces

Concrete cutting and removal services are also needed to have access to crawl spaces.  

This access is usually necessary when laying down new electrical wiring or tinkering with the plumbing system.

Criteria For Choosing The Right Concrete Contractor

Criteria For Choosing The Right Concrete Contractor

Concrete is, arguably, the backbone of any construction project. Regardless whether the project is an impossibly tall skyscraper or an ornamental concrete wall, concrete can be found in all areas of the project.

If you look at any property, you would find some form of concrete used, particularly as surfaces. Concrete is preferred because of its durability, strength, and overall cost-effectiveness.

But incorporating concrete cannot be a do-it-yourself project.  It is recommended that you always tap the services of a professional concrete company. Problem is, finding the right one can be complicated.  

Sure, you can choose the first company listed in the yellow pages or on a Google search engine results list, but you can’t be sure they are the best ones for the job.  To be certain, that you pick the most effective concrete drilling contractor.

1. Contractor’s offered services should suit your needs

First, research on the list of services. Not all construction companies offer all services.

Megasaw service list

Many companies will claim that they specialize in certain areas of concrete construction, for example, concrete drilling, sawing, pumping, or product manufacturing.  

2. Peruse The Portfolios

After ensuring that they offer what you need, peruse their virtual portfolio and discuss their prior projects.

Megasaw Work

Ask questions to determine the skill level and work style and if they’ve been honest on their portfolio.

3. Consider The Company’s Reputation

You can gauge this from customer service feedback. Read testimonials or discuss the service via word-of-mouth.

Megasaw Testimonials

Through the internet, you can browse through testimonials on the company’s official website. However, these may be fraudulent and deliberately misrepresent the business.  To counter-check peruse official website testimonials with third-party review website testimonials.

4. Pricing

While construction projects are known to be expensive, this does not mean you should not include pricing in your checklist put it against your set budget before contacting your prospective contractor.

Concrete Cutting Sufficiently Explained

Concrete Cutting Sufficiently Explained

You usually need to cut concrete in floors, foundations, and walls to either modify the structure or create openings for running services and other utilities. These are necessary for heating, plumbing, and electrical work and vents.

For this, you need to do controlled sawing or drilling and special equipment that uses diamond impregnated blades.

The blades together with water produce smooth and attractive finishes in one go. The water prevents the dust from rising and the entire process makes less noise and remains environment-friendly.

This is different from the previous method wherein jackhammers were used. This often left irregular openings and created a lot of dust and noise. Plus, the constant hammering produced vibrations and could cause structural problems in weak structures.

drilled wall

In contrast, now we can produce perfectly round holes in concrete,  as big as 12 inches in diameter. Just be careful that the cutting does not affect the reinforcement. But if you need to cut the reinforcement, strengthen the opening so that structural stability will not be affected.

The concrete cutting of slabs is often done with diamond blades that may be 33 inches in diameter at the most.

cutting using diamond blades

These blades are mounted on machines. Companies which cut concrete use ground radar penetrating machines to know what’s inside the reinforcements so that they can avoid the same during cutting. These obstructions are marked on the surface.

Slab cutting can help you during demolition work as you cut large parts of concrete.

slab cutting

But in doing this,  you and your crew should put a premium on safety. Some concrete cutting machines can be handheld while others are floor mounted or operate on some framework. Each of these has a set of guidelines for safety and efficiency.

Water is essential in cutting concrete. It helps deter sound, reduce dust and more importantly keep the temperature of the blade under control. That’s why you need adequate water and drainage. Improper drainage or flooding of areas where concrete is being cut can lead to slips and falls and may even result in electrocution. Electrical connections must have adequate grounding and all wires must be well insulated.

Further, remember to have the machines properly anchored while cutting. This is necessary because concrete’s hard and the machine may get out of control when you’re cutting it. Blades may get broken and become hazardous to the machine operator.

Finally, make sure that the tools you’ll use are in the best condition and saw blades are sharp and have all their cutting edges in place. Operators need to be well experienced and have all the necessary safety equipment like gloves, goggles, shoes and helmets.

 

Ways to Cut Down your Construction Expenses

ways to cut down your construction expenses

No one wants to overspend on construction, whether it’s on a commercial or residential property. Regrettably though, only a few people know how to cut costs on construction projects. This has resulted in unnecessary expenses and money wasted.

But there are ways to stick to your project’s budget while not sacrificing its quality.   Here’s what you have to do.

 

Confirm the status of utilities and infrastructure before buying your lot

Watch out for budget building lots. The most affordable lots might cost more in the long run. Hence, you don’t want a lot that requires workers to blast through rock, provide extensive drainage, or clear away trees, just to mention a few.

clear away trees area

Such hurdles make your overhead cost soar. To prevent this, make sure the lot you’re  interested in has good access to electricity and public water lines, lest you’re left to shoulder the cost of installing public utilities and services.

 

Collaborate with a friend or family and buy a large lot

You might not need a large parcel of land, but remember that some of the largest properties have the most attractive price tags. If it’s too large for what you can afford, the smart thing to do would be to find a friend or family member with whom you can split the parcel into two smaller lots.

Just be sure that the person with whom you are sharing the land is someone you don’t mind having around as a neighbor.

 

Go for a bay or canal lot if you need a waterfront site

The idea is to get your waterfront experience at less cost. Go for a bay or canal adjacent property, which cost less than an ocean or lakefront property.

waterfront site

Besides access to water, a bay or canal waterfront can shelter you against intemperate weather.

 

Purchase low-maintenance building materials

Construction materials such as metal for roofing and vinyl for siding can be particularly expensive to install. However, they will save you from repair or replacement costs for a long time.

 

Monitor your building allowances while construction is ongoing

Don’t leave everything in the hands of the contractor. Keep an eye on the ongoing building process to be sure you’re getting value for your money.

Make sure that the structural elements to decorative details are what you agreed on so that you can also stick to your set budget.

This also applies to the brand and quality of materials. Certain brands or qualities may be cheap at purchase, only to bring in regular maintenance expenses. Switching brands should merit the additional cost.  

 

Build compact

Sometimes it’s way cheaper to construct a two to three storied building instead of a single story house covering a wide area. A multi-story building is more compact but gives you the same amount of living space yet with a much smaller foundation and roof.

multi-story building

With it, you’ll have more affordable options for ventilation and plumbing, even though the initial cost and/or future maintenance may be higher because of the need for special equipment. However, you may find that a taller building is a more cost effective alternative.

 

Work with qualified professionals with a solid reputation

A certified general contractor will help you save money. They have an extensive experience thus can provide invaluable cost-benefit analysis.

certified general contractor

Further, a professional who has been in the industry has established ties with suppliers and subcontractors. With this, you can possibly benefit in the form of discounts.

 

Reduce site preparation charges

You’ll save money if you can avoid site preparation costs such as grading charges, in-fill dirt hauling fees, the cost of clearing trees or blasting rocks. To avoid these, make sure you have bought the best site and have a plan that naturally fits that chosen site.

 

Avoid change orders

Know what you want right off the bat. Once you start, remember that any change in blueprints or materials will translate to additional costs and time, and will also cause frustration among people involved in the project.

Make sure things run smoothly by having an exact plan and structure beforehand so that the building work can be erected without any midway interruptions.

 

Conclusion

Whether you are building a new home or just doing a home renovation, it is always great when you can cut back on some overheads on your construction project. Fortunately, these ideas will ensure that you get value for your money and cash does not just fly off the window.

 

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