Category: Concrete Cutting

Most of us understand that any type of concrete cutting is generally a job that frequently produces clouds of dust. One factor related to this element and possibly not considered to any great extent by most contractors is; the content of those dust clouds. Concrete has a compound known as crystalline silica, which when injected into the atmosphere can present us with some health-related concerns. It’s a common compound found in various elements such as sand, quartz, flint and slate, but does not become a hazard until it is expelled into the air; for example, when concrete is ground, crushed, or cut with a saw.

The methods by which dust in workplaces is suppressed or controlled include wet drilling and water mist drilling to remove and collect dust. In addition, water sprays are employed when sawing dimension stone, using grinding wheels, core cutting, or wetting waste material, when loading trucks, moving broken rock, dumping or stockpiling. The use of wetting agents with water in selected processes is highlighted, with the use of clear water for sprays and mists and using completely wet processing in crushing operations and screening plants.

Cutting concrete methods

Although it’s usual for concrete to be cut with diamond blades, there are different solutions recommended for cutting concrete in various circumstances. For the purpose of significantly reducing the dust factor, concrete is generally cut using a wet-cutting process. If used with sufficient water for the task, it can not only reduce the presence of dust but also helps to keep the diamond blade cool and extend its lifespan. Furthermore, efficiency is improved, keeping in mind that the wet-cutting concrete process can entail deep cuts resulting in continuous work.

Safety procedures

Some safety regulating authorities recommend three procedures for the control of health-threatening silica exposure when cutting concrete. These include:

• Wet cutting or the use of a hose for watering the working area
• The installation of exhaust ventilation
• Dust collection systems attached to equipment

Saws that are used in the cutting of concrete and powered by compressed air or combustion engines employ wet cutting systems, designed to prevent further contamination from dust. The process can involve water being sprayed onto the rotating disk used for cutting concrete to reduce dust emissions, or from a pressurised tank, supplied from the water mains, or one that is portable.

The portable water option

A portable pressurised tank is supplied by many manufacturers of concrete cutting saws. It’s based on a simple bottle, manufactured from polypropylene, containing a minimum of eight litres of water. The way it works is:

• By the use of tubing, the bottle is attached to two water jets with the volume dispensed and controlled by a valve, also attached to the container
• The operation is controlled by the construction worker pressurising the tank and releasing the water
• The suppression of dust is achieved with a minimum water flow rate of approximately half a litre per minute, but a dispensing rate less than that will ultimately and negatively impact on the overall and effective performance

As part of our responsible work commitment, we appreciate that in cutting concrete and when using wet systems or vacuuming to suppress dust during the cutting process, there are opportunities for mishaps. Accordingly, we ensure our workforce is provided with protective equipment such as masks designed to help prevent unnecessary dust inhalation. As established contractors, the use of concrete saws forms part of our daily work tasks and how we cut concrete is considered a crucial decision. It is influenced by the potential impact it will have:

• On the health of our workers
• The overall project quality
• The aesthetics of the materials we are cutting

The majority of concrete saws, handheld or otherwise, are supplied with a water cutting option, with Tub saws including a water pump and handhelds generally having as standard a connection for a household hose.

Environmentally-friendly

The benefit for our customers and the environment is a reduction in dust pollution and less cleaning required in the surrounding structures, which usually attract dust in the atmosphere. There is also an economic and working efficiency gained from the fact that air filters on the concrete saws do not require changing as frequently, due to the water preventing a higher percentage of dust filtering into the air.

Various comparisons have been made between wet and dry cutting concrete. Using water controls regularly with gas-powered concrete saws has been determined as an effective method of reducing the level of dust for project workers, operators and the environment in general. There have been various studies conducted on comparisons between wet and dry cutting, with some findings indicating that using water helped reduced 85% of dust concentration.

Over the years, MegaSaw has become a leading name amongst concrete cutting services, not just here in Melbourne, but across Victoria State and in our neighbouring states. We have worked hard to accomplish this and it certainly has not been an overnight accomplishment. But there are certain aspects to our operation we believe have allowed us to maintain our reputation for excellence in this particular area of expertise.

Today, we are a one-stop shop for concrete-related solutions in construction, demolition, conservation and renovation projects and we count multinational property developers and local authority departments amongst our client base. In fact our range of concrete service expertise includes:

• Concrete cutting
• Concrete drilling
• Concrete sawing
• Concrete grinding

But being able to do the work well is not enough to earn a reputation for excellence in this business. We believe there are five particular factors that have contributed to it.

1. Professional Personnel

There is no substitute for knowledge, experience, skill and professionalism. In our 40 years in business, we have been lucky to have some of the most skilled and professional people in our team, ensuring the highest level of customer service at all times.

The consistency in quality in both the work we do and the personable, friendly customer interaction we are famed for, is hugely important to use. Maintaining it requires constant vigilance but through these four standards we insist upon ourselves, that job becomes easier.

• Knowledge – We stay up-to-date with the latest techniques, technology and materials to make sure we are on top of our game
• Experienced – Our personnel have years of experience in the industry
• Skilled – We are properly trained in the skills necessary to achieve the best possible results
• CSDAA Accredited – We are no rogue operators but a recognised leading concrete cutting service provider within the industry and a member of the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association of Australia (CSDAA). We are completely accountable so you can have total confidence in everything that we do.

2. Modern Equipment using Leading Technology

It’s a pretty obvious observation but the quality of any job done is heavily dependent on the equipment used to do it. At MegaSaw, we always make sure we have the right equipment so that the job is done right and our reputation as leading concrete cutting service providers remains safely intact. It’s the reason why we choose to use Husqvarna cutting equipment as our primary tools because of their reliability, technologically advanced components and greater efficiency levels.

So what are the different types of concrete cutting saws we use on our projects? Well, here’s a breakdown of what we have and how we use it.

Hand saws – Arguably the most used of our collection of saws are these hand-held ones. They are so popular because they are hand-held, they are very portable and can be used effectively in places that larger saws cannot get to. These locations include indoor spaces, like storage areas, laundry rooms and interior bathrooms. They are perfectly suited for cutting windows and doorway spaces in existing concrete walls, slashing the time it would take a construction worker to ‘knock through’ the required space – this is especially important when working to tight deadlines.

Our Husqvarna Hand Saw is petrol powered and cuts to a depth of 150mm. It’s on the cutting edge of saw technology, boasting a built-in automatic filter that lowers fuel consumption without losing power, thereby making it more fuel and cost efficient. They are perfect for cutting a variety of concrete surfaces and items like:

• Floors and walls
• Cast concrete
• Blocks or large segments
• Kerbstones
• Pavers

In spaces where ventilation is a problem, we opt for the hydraulic hand saw. This is to remove the fuel fumes that might otherwise build up and make the air unbreathable. These saws have a capability to cut to depths of 210mm.

Road or floor saws – When it comes to cutting through large areas of concrete floor, pavement, roads or even bridges, efficiency is a key issue. We use the latest technology to ensure those efficiency levels – in fuel consumption, time and labour required, and in overall cost – is achieved. Of course, when a floor is in a confined location, then the handsaw is usually the best option, but outdoors, where there is space and ventilation, a more powerful saw works best.

Some of the aspects of our concrete cutting service where a road or floor saw is needed include:

• Road works
• Driveway and kerb removal
• Slab removal
• Cutting trenches for plumbing and drainage
• Concrete slab cutting for removal
• Concrete repairs
• Loop cutting for boom gates and traffic lights

Once again we use Husqvarna road cutters, a brand that is proven around the world for developing machines that are faster, cleaner and smarter. The powerful modern diesel engines have low emissions and provide fast, efficient sawing. The new, intuitive digital control panel and other smart features help you work more efficiently.

Compact and manoeuverable, these powerful machines can cut to depths of just over 370 mm, and is perfect for the range of floor and road-side projects that we take on regularly. With an advanced fuel-efficient diesel engine, it also has a diesel particle filter that keeps CO2 emissions low.

Ring Saws – Some jobs require more specialist tools and this is where our ring sawing services come in. This technology is an essential part of our overall concrete cutting services, because they are specifically designed to handle tricky concrete and masonry cutting tasks in very tight areas but with a considerable amount of depth required. For example, a ring saw can cut to depths of as much as 270mm, ensuring even thick concrete surfaces can be cut and removed more quickly, and where other materials pose a more difficult task for a hand saw, like:

• Double brick walls
• Door and window openings
• Concrete pipes and manhole covers
• Cutting in confined spaces

Our Husqvarna ring saw boasts lasting power, resilience and high-end technology to ensure the surest deep cutting available (270mm). Meanwhile, the 355mm abrasive blades that our ring saw uses is ideal not just for cutting through concrete, but also limestone, lava rock, slate rock, shale and sandstone.

Wall Saws – Whether we are working on a commercial project for major property developers, or on a residential project with homeowners looking for major renovations to be made, the challenge of quickly and efficiency cutting into walls is something we have lots of experience in. But while hand saws are sometimes used by our competitors we know that a specialised wall saw is needed, making them important elements in the arsenal of our concrete cutting service.

Wall saws have been developed to ensure precision and efficiency when cutting through a standing wall. This is normally difficult because the face of the concrete is vertical, and keeping a straight line with just your eyes is no easy task. But the Husqvarna wall saw we use is track mounted, allowing it to maintain a straight cut from top to bottom, What is more, the cut can be as deep as 530mm, which means it can make light work of narrow walls.

The wall saw is ideal for making space in solid walls – even reinforced concrete and brick – safely and cleanly, but the versatility of the mount frame means that more than just straight cuts can be achieved. This means it’s highly efficient in achieving:

• Door openings
• Window openings
• Ventilation channels
• Dovetail cutting
• Flush cutting

Wire Saws – One of the most recent technological developments in concrete cutting services is the use of the wire saw. Its name might suggest a flimsy machine and in the past it has been associated more with very soft materials like wood. However, advances in wire technology has led to the availability of diamond wire saws which offer all the versatility of a traditional wire cutter but the hardness and cutting efficiency of diamond blades. These wire saws can cut through large, dense concrete blocks and even steel.

As a result, MegaSaw is perfectly equipped to safely cut segments from large concrete constructions or structures, like bridges and pillars. The Husqvarna wire saw we use allow for flexible set ups increasing the number of locations they are practical in.

Concrete block cutting – The uses of concrete slabs and blocks have many uses, not simply to use in the construction of a home or office building. So, it’s understandable that they would need to be cut to suit a particular purpose. At MegaSaw, we have become one of the leading providers of concrete cutting services because of our expertise in every area of the sector, but we cut our teeth in cutting concrete blocks to size. Once again, we trust in the superior design and efficiency of Husqvarna cutting equipment to ensure the highest quality work is completed for all our clients. So, whether you are installing a concrete post fence, a retaining wall, or a large slab, we can cut and shape to the specifications you require.

3. Mobility

Getting onsite quickly with all of the necessary equipment on hand is a cornerstone of any efficient concrete cutting services. It does not take a rocket scientist to work that out, but you’d be surprised how many of our competitors place having a fleet of fully-equipped transit vans way down the list.

At MegaSaw, we have a fleet of 10 such vehicles, always fully serviced and ready to go, and always fully stocked with the saw, blades and other equipment needed to get the job done. Though small and manageable, the vans have ample space to load our road saws and wall saws onboard without any hassle, while the available interior space is also carefully managed and maintained to ensure every component has a spare on hand.

Think about it. When has failure to be prepared ever been a wise move? We are never unprepared and it’s a key reason for our clients to stay with us, knowing they can count on us – whatever the job, and every time.

4. Green Solutions

Just like every Australian, we wholeheartedly embrace our responsibility to the environment. And let’s face it, anything to do with construction, demolition and cutting up concrete is not going to be neat and clean by definition. We make every effort to ensure that what we do is done in an eco-friendly way.

We minimise our CO2 emissions. For our hydraulic and air-powered saws, we use compressors that enjoy a high level of fuel efficiency, thereby lowering emissions and the carbon footprint.
We recycle waste materials wherever possible, with metals and concrete segments sent to be recycled. Recycling concrete can make a huge difference to the Australian environment. We reuse materials too – or at least, send them for reuse, like large metal segments in reinforced concrete.

Our stance is pretty simple. A greener tomorrow is a better tomorrow for everyone and we are proud to contribute to a greener and environmentally cleaner Australia.

5. Our Values have Never Changed

We feel this is the biggest reason we have retained our reputation for excellence as a concrete cutting service provider. It’s easy to point to the projects we have competed, especially the large ones working for major national, international and even government clients, but getting there required a set of values in the first place.

Our values have not changed. We started as a local operator and despite our growth, we remain as focused on satisfying the demands of our locally-based clients – be they commercial or residential clients. We are always contactable and always accountable and when it comes to response time, we can confidently say we are unbeatable.

In fact, we are so confident that we encourage all prospective new clients to speak to our former clients and get a full report from them. Just check out the work we have completed.

To find out about any of our range of concrete cutting services, including our concrete removal service, why not speak to Steph at 1300 920 419 or email us info@megasaw.com.au.

Concrete surfaces and structures don’t last forever, so the need for skilled and properly qualified concrete cutters is pretty high wherever that popular building material is prominent. But as is the case with almost all trades, a debate rages over whether it is better to hire local professional concrete cutting services or to go to larger companies based further afield.

On the face of it, the obvious answer is to go to the biggest one. The company with the best equipment, biggest budgets and greatest resources, but in fact this is not always the best choice. Hiring locally-based concrete cutters with a proven track record often satisfies the basic criteria best when making such choices.

At MegaSaw, we have always valued our role as local service providers, even though we have grown since first embarking in the sector, to become a leading name much further afield. Why have we retained our local-focus? Because we are so much more than a local concrete cutting service.

5 Reasons you Should Hire Local Professional Concrete Cutters

1. A Good Local Reputation

For any professional operating in a local area, the priority is to build a positive reputation. It’s why every consumer expert advises shopping around. There is also more than one option out there and when it comes to choosing between them, a reputation for things like quality of work, meeting deadlines and even personal skills, can be the deciding factors.

Checking out the reputation of a local professional concrete cutter is pretty easy, with a few different avenues to take (though we would recommend taking them all)

• Check out their website – competitive, top quality companies have top quality websites.
• Check with the relevant trade associations – your choice of concrete cutter should be affiliated to an association. For example, MegaSaw is an accredited contractor with the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association of Australia (CSDAA).
• Check the company background – contact the local chamber of commerce for any complaints they may have received about the company
• Seek first-hand recommendations – talking to someone who knows the local operators from first-hand experience is the best thing to do. Their recommendation is gold so, ask friends, family and workmates who have had work done on their concrete driveway or walls.

2. More Affordable

There is a tendency to expect that local professionals – whether they are concrete cutters or another tradesperson – charge higher rates because they are smaller operators. However, this is not always the case. Remember, international and regional companies have bigger budgets and larger teams working on their projects, which means more resources to call upon. Local operators have to compete with that and for that reason, have to be affordable. They have to be highly efficient too, with smaller teams working on individual projects but with experience and high-quality tools ensuring the best job is done. And because there is always more than one competitor in the area, the rates have to be more affordable, the operation has to offer some flexibility and value for money has to be extremely high.

3. On Hand for Emergencies

By definition, local concrete cutters live in the general area, so they are perfectly placed to come to your aid whenever there is an emergency. Most types of damage to concrete take a long time to manifest themselves. For example, chemical damage caused by leaching or the corrosion of metal reinforcement bars can take months or years to show. But there can be sudden damage too, such as cracking caused when a heavy object falls over onto it, or if there is an accident involving a major impact on a concrete surface.

Of course, even when concrete gradually degrades, there comes a time when it’s now or never and immediate attention is required. Perhaps the damage is weakening an overall structure (say, in a wall) or makes everyday living or working impractical. A local professional concrete cutting service provider can get to the site, cut away the damaged area and have everything ready for the offending space to be filled in again. With many providers (such as here at MegaSaw), emergencies can be dealt with overnight if necessary, and a 24-hour turnaround can be guaranteed.

4. Building a Relationship

One of the great advantages with hiring a local concrete cutter is that a positive working relationship can develop. Local operators know the area, know the people and tend to take a genuinely amiable approach to working with clients. And because they are professional, they are not satisfied with delivering anything less than the highest standard quality of work – every time.

From your point of view, it’s a win-win situation. Not only do you get a high quality of work from a professional that you know you can trust, but you are also hiring someone who is close by and can be approached whenever their services are needed.

5. Accredited with Progressive Association

You might wonder how finding a local concrete cutter that is accredited by a national or international body can benefit you. Well, it’s not so much the badge they can show off, but the value that being a member of that association or federation has to the services and expertise they offer. For example, many progressive associations provide

• Training schemes – so their members’ skills are always up-to-date and relevant
• Quality ratings – so their members’ quality of work is kept consistently high
• Best practices guides – so their members adhere to standards in a range of areas
• OHS advice – so their members’ personnel adhere to safety regulations

What is more, associations often provide a list of recommended service providers in specific states, cities and localities. Here is what the CSDAA does for the concrete cutting sector.

Also, the International Association of Concrete Drillers and Sawers (IACDS) is an umbrella organisation representing professional concrete drilling and cutting service providers in nine countries, including Australia. They list the main advantages of choosing only professional services, whether for large or small contracts.

Concrete Cutting Services from MegaSaw

At MegaSaw, we’ve been providing concrete cutting, drilling and removal services in Melbourne for more than 20 years. Yes, we are one of the most trusted professional concrete cutters in the city, the state of Victoria and beyond, but we retain the same local values that has been the key to our success.

We provide the complete concrete service for Melbourne, using the most advanced concrete cutters, from road saws to hand saws, to ensure the greatest efficiency, both in terms of cost and time. We also include environmentally friendly concrete removal as part of our service, meeting our responsibilities to the environment and ensuring a clean site greets our clients after we’ve left.

If you are interested to learn more about our stone and concrete cutting services, concrete wall sawing services or concrete removal services, please call 1300 920 419 or email info@megasaw.com.au for a quick response within 24 hours.

Cutting and removing concrete would sound like a very formidable task to do. This is true especially with those involving street pavement being broken and demolished to give way to a new concrete pavement. These kinds of construction jobs are usually done by big-time contractors.

But as uncommon as concrete removal may look in the domestic sense, there are actually many household situations where we may find ourselves being confronted by a need to cut and remove concrete. It may be a repair of water or drain leak in your house or yard or a plan to replace the concrete covering in one part of your garden with decorative grasses and plants. In any case, it pays to know what and how to do it, even if you have in mind to hire a contractor to do the job for you.

Below you will find the basic steps in the concrete cutting and removal job. These steps assume that you already have a clear purpose for the activity and that you have identified the area where cutting is to be made.

1. Prepare the Site

Concrete cutting and removal is difficult if surface is dirty and congested. If there are clutters restricting the movement of workers, ensure that the site is cleared of these barriers to movement. It is also important that items which may be damaged by dust or by chipped concrete fragments during cutting are covered with protective mats or sacks. Check also that the passage way for moving the rubbles is clear when the broken concrete is removed from the site.

2. Ready Your Tools

For most concrete cutting jobs in the home, the following are the most common tools needed:

• Electric circular saw with diamond or abrasive blade
• Sledgehammer
• Jackhammer
• Large pry bar or a pick
• Shovel
• Bolt cutters for wire mesh
• Demolition saw for rebars

3. Ready Your Safety Equipment

Concrete cutting and removal, by its very nature, is a dirty job as it means rousing dust from its compaction inside the concrete. Add water and you’ll have a mess of the mud that is created. It is also a job involving risks as tiny fragments of concrete may fly at different directions. Hence, you need safety tools and protective gadgets to keep you safe from harm. These include:

• Chalk for line marking
• Straight-edge piece of wood for guide
• Thick gloves
• Goggles
• Ear protective gear
• Dust mask or respirator
• Steel-toe boots or equivalent work shoes
• Clothes thick enough to cover you from the elements

4. Lay out the Area

Establish the demarcation enclosure using a straight-edge piece of wood long enough for the purpose. Use coloured chalks in lay-outing and make sure that the line marks are wider and will be readable enough even from a distance.

5. Start the Cutting

Set up your concrete saw to cut at 2 inches (50 mm) blade depth over the guide line. This line cut is for making sure that the edges of the remaining concrete are straight and smooth when the new covering is installed. At the same time, it prepares the line-enclosed area for the subsequent concrete breaking procedure. As the cutting is being done, spray the surface area around the blade with soft sprinkles of water. This is in order to lessen the dust and to prevent the blade from overheating. However, be warned not to sprinkle water on the electric saw. After completing the line cut, if you wish to deepen the cut to 4 inches (100 mm), adjust the blade in the cutting saw and repeat the steps.

6. Breaking the Concrete

After the line cut is completed, position the jackhammer to break the concrete starting from an inside corner of the line-enclosed slab. Put the jackhammer on and let it break the concrete. You don’t need to push down on the jackhammer as its weight and movement are enough to break the concrete. You may need to remove the first few broken pieces out right away to make room for the next pieces to fall off. You will find that after the first piece is broken, the next one comes off so easily.

You may find that the concrete is supported by a wire mesh. You may have to cut these wires using your bolt cutter to free the concrete that is stubbornly attached to these hard metals. Also, most concrete that is subjected to traffic would be reinforced with rebars. In such a case, you may also need to cut these but using a demolition saw.

7. Remove the Concrete Fragments

If the cutting site is inside a garden and you need to protect the plants along the way out onto a hired gravel truck, you would need thick gloves to manually load these concrete pieces into carry-able sacks. For the smaller pieces which would be impractical to pick out one by one, use your shovel to scoop these tiny ones into the sacks. If your hired truck is not yet available, you may arrange the sacks abreast of each other in one area close to the pick-up point.

8. Check the Work Done

If you are not satisfied with the depth of your cutting after the area is initially cleared, you may level the area by using the jackhammer again on protruding and unbroken concrete. Repeat this procedure until you are satisfied.

While it is true that the concrete has been removed after the eighth step, you need to complete your job for your own satisfaction. You are not finished until you have cleaned the site, the power tools and the safety equipment. Restore the items that were displaced temporarily. Remove the protective covering on the plants. Clear the site of dust using damp cloth. Remember not to wet electric-powered tools. Clean the gadgets that are washable with water. When you are done, you are now ready to pack up leaving the site ready for the next activity.

Cutting a concrete slab can be a complex task that requires proper skills and equipment. It isn’t a job where short cuts can be taken. Ideally, it should be done by those who have the proper experience and expertise. Highlighted below are some information and tips in using power tools for cutting a concrete slab.

Tip #1: Choosing the Concrete Cutting Equipment

It all begins with the right tools and accessories. The quickest, easiest and safest tools for this job are power tools that are capable to tackle the job at hand.

The Right Saw

The type of cut you will be making determines which saw to use. If you only need to make small rough cuts, you can do this manually with a sledgehammer and chisel. The much faster and more effective method is to use a circular saw with the right choice of blade.

The Right Concrete Cutting Blades

Quality is the key here. You may find some great prices on some of the blades that can cut through this type of material. You need to determine though, what is the cost per cut. If you are only going to get half the cuts completed before having to replace them, then you are wasting time and money.

Many professionals like to use the diamond blades when cutting a concrete slab. If this isn’t a job you need to do all the time, then you can rent these types of blades. You will likely be charged according to the number of inches used on the blade. Some of the inexpensive blades tend to slow down the cutting process. This is because they only allow for shallow cuts during each pass. With constant use, they can create an odour, fine dust and get really hot. When making the choice to use the diamond blades, you will have to choose the appropriate one.

The dry cutting blades are used when you want to make gradual deeper cuts. The blade won’t heat up, but you will create a lot more dust with a dry cut. You can also choose to use a wet cutting diamond blade. This means you will need to use a saw that is able to distribute the water that the blade needs to operate efficiently. This is a great blade for speed and efficiency as well as in keeping the dust down.

Tip #2: Techniques for Cutting a Concrete Slab

In some areas, there are regulations regarding the depth that you can cut a joint. You need to check this out first. The normal cut is at the minimum ¼ of the thickness of the slab. Keep in mind that the deeper the cut, the bigger the chance of cracking in the control joint. Don’t cut down to the level of the steel reinforcement, which should be in the middle of the slab.

Grooving

You need to determine the best time for making the cut. This is determined by the size of the slab. To help you make a straight cut, draw a chalk line on the concrete slab. Or you can use a 2×4 as your guide. Before the concrete becomes hard, groove the control joints. Use a grooving tool that has a blade capable of cutting through a semi solid concrete.

Tip #3: Proper Placement of Joints

Where you place the joints will depend on the purpose the concrete slab is being used for. Sidewalks do well with joint placement with cuts made the same distance as what the width of the walk is. Large slabs are best done by determining the thickness of the slab then double this in feet.

Tip #4: Cutting Concrete Slabs with a Saw

If you don’t want to take the time to hand groove or the concrete has become too hard for this, you can still complete the job with a saw. The concrete should still look a little damp and dark in colour. You should be able to walk on it. If the concrete slab is fairly small, you can use a heavy duty circular saw, fitted with the proper blade. For larger concrete slab cutting, you may want to use a walk behind concrete saw.

Concrete Cutting

You may be faced with the task of cutting through concrete to get at some faulty plumbing or other repairs needed beneath the concrete. These are normally slab foundations and are far thicker than slabs used for sidewalks and other outdoor venues. For this type of job, you would need to rely on the use of commercial concrete saws.

Other Considerations

Personal safety when cutting a concrete slab using power tools is something that must be made a priority. The proper safety gear must be worn. Keeping the dust under control is another issue. Using power tools with the proper skills to avoid personal injury is a must. You must also be aware of the environment around you when taking on the job of cutting concrete slabs.

Time and money has to be taken into account as well. Purchasing the proper concrete cutting power tools can be expensive. They are not cost-efficient unless they are going to be used on a constant basis. Renting them is equally as expensive and there is the risk of improper use. Make sure that the individual who is going to take on the concrete slab cutting job has the proper skills and training in the use of the power tools.

Looking at a concrete cutting slab job at first appears straightforward. However, there are a lot of potential problems that can arise. If an error is made during the cutting process, correcting them may not be easy. A much better alternative to taking on this job yourself if you are in Melbourne or the surrounding areas would be to bring in the experts like those at MegaSaw.

They have the right equipment for every type of concrete cutting task. They also have the expertise in being able to use the different types of hand saws. These are often needed for hard to get at places or when time is of the essence. Concrete hand sawing requires precision working and takes time to be done properly. You also have to consider the cost factor required for this task. Determine the most cost-effective solution. Will it be either buying this type of equipment yourself and then developing the proper skills to use it or using the alternative of being able to rent such equipment and services from reputable providers like MegaSaw.

A lot of the times whole concrete blocks will not fit into the place where they are intended to fit. Because of this, you are going to have to cut them down to the appropriate size. There are a few ways in which you can go about cutting these types of blocks. The method that you ultimately choose will likely depend on how smooth or rough you want the cut to be. Also, it is going to largely depend on the type of tools that you happen to have at your disposal. Below we will discuss some of the most frequently used tools for cutting these types of blocks.

Frequently Used Tools:

1. Hammer and Chisel

One of the most frequently used tools is the hammer and chisel. In order to utilise this tool effectively, you are going to need to be sure that you have the appropriate safety gear. You will want to wear goggles in order to protect your eyes. You will also need to wear gloves to protect your hands.

Below we will discuss the steps that someone is going to need to take in order to successfully cut concrete blocks with a hammer and chisel.

a.) Mark the layout

The first thing that you are going to have to do is mark the layout of the actual cut that you are going to perform. You will want to make the layout all the way around the actual concrete block by using a straightedge in order to keep the line as straight as possible. You should also use chalk in order to make the line visible enough to see in different lighting conditions.

b.) Safety glasses and gloves

As noted previously, you are going to want to be sure that you have the necessary safety gear. For cutting concrete blocks with a hammer and chisel you will need; gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask to keep dust out of your face and your lungs.

c.) Score the block

You will need to score the blog along the line that you created with the chalk. You will want to do this with the chisel tool, as well as a strong hammer. In order to do it effectively, you need to apply strong and swift blows to the concrete. This will ensure that the concrete is penetrated and that it breaks. You should make a score around 1/8 of an inch deep to start.

d.) Strike

The next thing that you have to do is strike along the actual scored line. You need to use the same chisel and hammer that you used in the previous step. This time, you will need to apply strong and swift hammer blows to the line. If done properly, the block should then break into two different pieces with a rough cut along the line that you had previously scored.

2. Power Saw

The next tool that you should use is a power saw. This is an excellent tool that is extremely powerful and versatile and you can find at just about any hardware store. If you are in need of efficient, effective, and accurate cuts, this is going to be one of your best options available on the market. Below we will discuss some of the steps that you need to take to ensure that you do it properly.

a.) Choose a circular or power masonry saw

The first thing that you need to do is choose either of the saws mentioned above. You will want to carefully look at each option and consider the pros and cons of each. Consider what you are going to be doing with the saw and what features you care most about. Once you have chosen one, you are then going to want to be sure that you outfit the saw with a masonry or diamond blade according to whichever is appropriate.

3. Safety Materials/Tools

The next thing that you are going to need to do in order to ensure that you cut the concrete safely is wear safety glasses, ear protection and a good dust mask. All of these are necessary for the safe operation of a power saw because you are going to have a lot of debris flying around and it is also a very loud machine. These safety essentials are going to help ensure that you do not suffer any type of injury that could have been easily prevented.

a.) Set the measurement

The next thing that you must do is set the measurement of the actual saw blade. This is an important step. This is a step that you must do correctly in order to get an accurate cut. Always figure out how deep you want the cut before actually doing it. You should generally use either 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep of a cut.

b.) Cut around the block

Once you have cut around 1/4 to 1/2 deep, you are then going to want to cut around the entire block. You should adjust your blade so that it will cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch deeper than you previously cut. You will be required to make a number of passes through the block until you have actually cut through the entire block. In this case a power saw will be able to produce a much cleaner and accurate cut than chiseling can produce.

4. Block Splitter

A block splitter is another type of tool that you could use in order to cut concrete. You can use this type of tool if you want a very powerful machine that will get the job done fast. Below we will discuss some of the things that you are going to need to do in order to successfully use this type of tool for block cutting.

a.) Rent or purchase a concrete block splitter

Most people are likely to need to rent this type of tool from their local hardware or tool rental store. This is likely to be the case because these tools are fairly expensive. Therefore, it is not really in your best financial interest to invest in one if it isn’t going to be used frequently.

b.) Place the concrete

The next thing that you are going to want to do is place the concrete in the right location. You will need to ensure that the concrete is placed on the platform that is directly located beneath the actual blade for cutting. This will ensure that the blade will slice into the block when it is cutting. In order to ensure an accurate cut, you need to be sure that the block is placed in the exact location of where you want the cut to be made.

c.) Secure the block

The next step involves securing the actual block in place by spinning the wheel that is used for tightening. You should spin the wheel in a clockwise direction in order to tighten it.

d.) Pull the level

The next step involves pulling the splitting level downward and applying enough pressure on the actual level in order to effectively split the concrete. You will know you did this correctly if the tool effectively splits the concrete. The cut is likely to be very precise in terms of cutting it where it was supposed to be cut. However, the cut is likely to be just as jagged as a cut that is made by hand with a chisel.

In order to effectively get your concrete cut in a professional way, you will likely need to hire the job out to a third party. Cutting concrete is something that takes a lot of power and experience to do effectively. For this reason, you are going to want to hire an experienced team that has access to the latest and greatest tools and machinery. This will ensure that you find someone that is going to be able to really deliver the best possible results on your job.

You will also want to ensure that the job is completed on time. Nothing is worse than hiring a company only to see them miss their deadline. In order to find a reputable company in this industry, you need to ensure that you do the necessary research in order to find one that has a good and solid reputation within the industry. You will also want a company with competitive rates in order to get the job done efficiently.

If you are looking for exceptional block cutting services in Australia, look no further than MegaSaw. MegaSaw is going to be one of the best options for block cutting services in Australia. Below we will discuss exactly why you should consider hiring MegaSaw for your block cutting services.

Why Hire MegaSaw?

1. Best Tools and Machines

By far, the number one reason to hire MegaSaw is because we are a company that invests in the top-of-the-line machinery. Block cutting is all about having the right tools and machinery in order to get the job done. Even the most experienced and best cutters are going to have a hard time producing the results that a good power saw can produce.

2. Experience

Another reason why you are going to want to hire MegaSaw is because we have extensive experience in this industry. In fact, we have been supplying concrete cutting and drilling services for over 40 years.

3. Customer Satisfaction

Another reason to hire MegaSaw is because we take pride in our ability to satisfy every client. We have numerous satisfied clients and customers that have left overwhelmingly positive testimonials on our website. You can check them out for yourself.

4. Pricing

We offer some of the most competitive rates in the entire industry.

5. Deadlines

We know how bad it can be to have a company miss deadlines. We pride ourselves on our ability to hit every single one of our deadlines. We are 100% committed to our customers’ deadlines whenever we accept a job. No matter what, we will complete the job that we take on within the given timeframe.

6. Quick Quote

We also offer a 24-hour turn around on a quote for your specific job.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to choose us for your block cutting needs. Not only are we experienced in this field, but we also offer competitive prices and rates. We are 100% committed to our customers and we will strive to ensure their satisfaction. We offer quick quotes so we can get started on your job right away. We also ensure that we will finish the job within a given timeframe. If you are ever in need of concrete cutting or drilling, you know who to call. We will take pride in having you as a customer and we look forward to being able to help you solve your problems.

Construction workers are exposed to dust when dealing with concrete that might be harmful to their health. The three main types of construction dust are:

Silica dust

Usually present in sand, granite or sandstone, Silica is a natural mineral. It’s also found in other materials used for construction such as mortar or concrete. During the cutting, grinding or drilling process, the mineral is broken into fine dust which is referred to as silica dust.

Non-silica dust

Although silica is the main component of most materials used for construction, there are a few that don’t contain the product or the content is very little. These compounds include limestone, cement and marble. There is a chance that these compounds could get mixed with those containing silica so in the end, the fine dust contains silica.

Wood dust

During construction, wooden bars may be used for support for other users. The wood might either be used as softwood or hardwood depending on the type of construction. There are also wood-based compounds often used during the construction process. As such, when the wood is cut using saws, the wood dust is likely to cause harm to the construction workers if preventive measures are not in place.

Health Effects

If you’re not properly protected when handling these types of dust, you need to know the type of damage they are likely to cause. There are many construction workers who have fallen ill due to lung cancer, silicosis, asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

For health risks such as silicosis, a form of lung disease, there is a chance that a few construction workers might experience the side effects later on. However, for those without proper protection, the symptoms set in when the contractor breathes in too much silica dust. When diagnosed at an advanced stage, silicosis is hard to treat but can be managed effectively.

There are recent studies that have estimated that silica dust has resulted in the death of over 500 construction workers each year. Also, COPD has resulted in the death of 4000 construction workers every year. Anyone who works in construction falls into the risk category because of the concrete dust they breathe in when working.

Construction Tasks that Create the most Dust

If you’re a construction worker, you’re likely to experience more levels of dust during the following occasions;

• When using construction equipment that operate using high energy such as wall chasers, cut-off saws, grit blasters or grinders, which produce lots of concrete dust within the shortest time possible.
• When clearing the dust using dry sweeping rather than wet brushing or vacuuming, you’re likely to inhale more dust.
• Also, if you’re working in an enclosed construction space rather than an open air one, the concrete dust is trapped in the space forcing you to inhale it.
• If you take longer when handling concrete cutting tasks, you will inhale more dust than the people who work for shorter times.

How to Control Exposure to Concrete Dust

1. Legal requirements

There are workplace regulations in place to prevent exposure to any dust during construction. Other than wearing protective clothing or equipment, there should be control measures in place to reduce the amount of dust. One of the most effective ways to do so is capturing the concrete dust at the source before it spreads into the air. Also, there are environmental regulations in place to prevent dust emissions or to control their contamination using the best possible means.

2. Wet control methods

Concrete cutting saws that are powered by compressed air or combustion engines might use wet systems to prevent further contamination of dust. However, it’s impractical to use these systems on electrical saws. Water is sprayed into the rotating disk used for cutting concrete to reduce emissions. Water can be supplied using a pressurised tank which is portable or from the water mains.

Portable pressurised tanks are supplied by many manufacturers of concrete cutting saws. It’s a simple bottle (made out of polypropylene) that contains at least eight litres of water. Using a narrow tube, the bottle is attached to two jets on each side of the guard. To control the water supply, there is a valve attached to the container. When the construction worker pressurises the tank using his hand, the water is released.

To guarantee dust suppression, the minimum rate of water flow should be about half a litre each minute. Therefore, rates lower than that will ultimately reduce overall performance. On the other hand, higher rates will not guarantee proper suppression of concrete dust rather the portable water tank will need to be refilled frequently.

To maintain the proper rate of water flow, the portable tank should be pressurised regularly. This is the most preferable method since it’s flexible to carry around the site as long as there is a water source for any refills required. On the other hand, when using the water system from the mains, the water flows through the hose to the water jets to allow for dust suppression when cutting concrete.

3. Personal protective measures

When using the wet systems or vacuuming to suppress the dust produced when cutting concrete, there are many things that can go wrong. Therefore, when this happens, it’s important to have some protective equipment such as masks to prevent further inhalation of dust. There are different types of masks for different tasks so it’s important to consult with your employer to get the best mask for the task in hand.

Note that, wearing masks or any other protective gear alone will not provide the protection you need. This is because:

• There are many tasks that can produce too much dust which clogs the filter making it hard to breathe.
• A mask only protects the wearer alone. Other individuals at the construction site are at risk of inhaling dangerous dust.
• There is a chance that you might choose the wrong mask which means that you’re not completely protected.

Therefore, regardless of whether you are wearing a mask or not, it’s important to include all the other protective measures to ensure you have the best chance of staying safe when working in this kind of environment.