Category: Concrete Cutting

A hazard is defined as any change in vertical over quarter of an inch or greater than that at any crack or joint. Since Australian authorities demand every region to comply, it is the duty of MegaSaw to manage the concrete cutting and repair services professionally. We are experts in cutting and drilling services in Australia. We can handle both home and commercial concrete structures that require maintenance and replacements regularly. Remember, regular maintenance is better than to wait and replace those broken structures.

Peter H. Emmons of the Structural Group and Alexander M. Vaysburd, who is a concrete expert for over 30 years have provided this detailed summary about concrete repair and maintenance. The points they highlight are as follows.

Concrete Behaviour

This is where any concrete construction is expected to have a lifespan according to the quality and mixture used during the making. Concrete behaves in reaction to an action. The forces of nature such as weather and human activity determine its life. Rain and cold weather causes contraction, while warm environment causes it to expand. Over the duration of time, concrete expands and contract daily and it becomes weak. It then cracks and may divide and break completely. This observation suggests that replacing or regular repair of concrete construction is necessary.

Evaluating Concrete Problems

Concrete evaluation is necessary all throughout the making process. The durability and strength to endure effects is measured during that time. Concrete experts can tell the strength of a concrete structure even after ten years depending on how it was manufactured. The whole process entails measuring the ratio components of the products used to make the concrete.

Surface Repair

Professionals have a way of repairing; it is either by replacing parts or the entire affected concrete area. It is necessary to be carried out as it may affect the other parts if not attended to promptly. For example, a public walking surface may crack, and if not repaired, the area extends and becomes larger with time. Once noticed, the experts use equipment such as a handheld saw. This is a special type of saw that cuts through cracked concrete to avoid the spread. Then the area is filled with fresh concrete material and joined to the older remaining part.

Stabilisation and Strengthening

This is where concrete is enhanced by adding other materials during construction. They help to compact the entire part together until it dries. This builds a stable wall or surface that is resistant to breakage due to use of heavy materials on the surface. It makes the surface stronger and long lasting such that it takes many years serving before it is affected by adverse weather conditions.

The final stage after building a strong and stable concrete surface is to protect it. An application of another layer will serve as a protection. This ensures that the underlying concrete surface is not exposed. Most of the pressure is on the protected area. This protective function is also known to prevent breakage. It should be resistant to the weather, can absorb great pressure and cannot be peeled off easily.

Concrete cutting and repair is necessary when the surface is in specific conditions. This includes residual areas, home and commercial places. The following conditions are suitable time to carry out the concrete maintenance practice:

1. When the Surface Has a Crack

There are times when concrete becomes weak and cracks. This peels off the top part and exposes the inner layer. It can injure any road or floor user. That is why it is a risk residing in an old and under maintained apartment. Small cracks may seem minor to avoid, but it is through them that water and other objects will get into the concrete.

2. Seepage Conditions

As said above, cracked surface will allow flowing water in, small objects can cause enlargements of the crack plus the inner part is exposed to adverse weather.

3. Leaking Walls

Leaking walls, for instance, those in the kitchens or those in the bathrooms should never be ignored. They are the major cause of weakness in any structure. Water, especially rain has acid in it that corrodes the concrete and makes it weak. Regular leaking leaves weak lines in the surface and the whole structure may collapse over time.

4. Scaling

This is where the measurements are not aligned to as required and you find some are side higher than others. If this happens to a footpath is can cause injuries to pedestrians and accidents which could have been avoided.

5. Discolouration

A discoloured concrete surface is as ugly as an old, unpainted one. Leaking surface will wash away the original colour of the surface. Whether painted or not, this will leave a semi-permanent mark. Solving this problem is an extra cost incurred. If it was better done from the beginning, it would have cost less.

6. Curling

How to Avoid or Treat the Above-Mentioned Conditions

One of the steps a contractor has to do is to grind the floor and the concrete surface. This is done by use of a heavy machine that is made to grind concrete. It vibrates and compacts the surface while still wet. By the time it dries, it is kept cool by covering the surface with a cold material of water material.

Removal and Demolition of the Affected Part

This is where concrete removers extract the entire affected area and separates it from the intact part. It is perfectly done by extending the affected part to some extent in the stable part. This is to avoid risks of unseeing penetration of the affected area.

The other step is to carry out concrete sawing and drilling. Drilling removes the affected part, and also the vibration serves to remove any remaining bad part on the surface. This leaves a strong well-cut and levelled surface unlike, the removed part.

Another thing to do to avoid concrete failure is to apply the masonry tiles. This is done as a topping after a perfect surface is ready. The tiles give protection to the floor and pavement in the commercial building. This serves more in the commercial areas where heavy object can be dragged causing floor surface damage. Hardscape and tile saw are used to shape and fit tiles to the surface perfectly to ensure no spaces are left to chance.

Dust Extraction

There are special sets of equipment that are used to extract dust from the wall or floor surface. Most of these units are vacuum operated, and they can suck even the minor dust particles. A well-dusted surface lasts longer because there are no chances of dirt penetration and accumulation between the tiles.

Concrete Floor Polishing

This is done during and after the surface is dry. It is done in two parts. To leave a surface that has the set standards is to remove the entire surface and to rebuild it a fresh. But the MegaSaw experts give you an alternative by restructuring the surface then polishing if. It saves time and space. On sidewalks, a well-done repair or restructuring is better as compare to another concrete surface as it is less destructive.

Warning Signs that Show that Concrete Cutting and Repair are Required

Incorrect alignment

The surface should always be aligned to each other and in most cases straight. When you find that some or the entire surface has upwards and downwards movements, it should be an alarm that it requires repair and other maintenance measures. The surface should be attended to before it becomes worse to the extent of falling apart and leaving part of it exposed. At a later stage, pot holes can emerge. Cutting and installing a new concrete will take less time to align it.

Discolouration

A discoloured concrete region shows that there is a leakage underneath that is not observable from the top. In that case, it should be cut, dug and corrected. Filling and polishing the area will easily restore it to the normal state.

Extreme Roughness

This sign shows wearing off, and the surface will not be serving much longer. Anytime, it will progress to peeling off stage and eventually pot holes. A complete new structure is required to restore it and align it to the rest of the surface.

After rainfall and there is stagnant water in parts of the surface after other parts drain

This too shows that there is a problem with the alignment of the surface. At MegaSaw, concrete cutting and repair service of such parts is a simple task. With the use of hand machines, we can drill even your house floor and leave the drainage moving to one direction as required. For the commercial houses, much bigger and faster tools are used. This is to ensure that your business premises continue as scheduled.

With all that said, it is clear that using the right professionals have these benefits:

1. Use the Latest Tools and Technology

Utilise the latest concrete cutting equipment and technology. This makes MegaSaw the best company to hire so that you can optimise the solution and save time.

2. Fast and Excellent

MegaSaw is committed to serving clients the best service possible. Therefore, we make sure to complete the work by all means per the agreed standards.

3. Skilled and Experienced

We are the pioneers in this sector and with over 40 years’ experience, have completed a lot of concrete cutting work. This makes them the most reliable group with the right expertise.

4. Quick Response to Customers

Contacting MegaSaw through online or phone leaves you relieved as we always do our homework. We will get in touch with all the details you need. Usually, this takes less than 24 hours, and then you’ll get your quote before the job begins.

5. Affordable

The best prices for approved and quality services: MegaSaw offers affordable prices in the market putting into consideration or extras which are not charged.

6. Eco-friendly

We do not mess with the environment: Yes, this is because our tools are dust free and do not emit harmful gasses or any noise. Health is a big issue, and MegaSaw never overlooks it.

7. Right Number of Workers

This means that at MegaSaw, we give the right number of workers to your project to avoid overcrowding your place. This also ensures a reduced working radius. The result is accurate projects. Working on a tight space guarantees that every bit of your project is dealt with a professional way by using the right tools that will suit your environment.

Summary

• ADA Compliance standards
• Safety practices such as maintaining the sidewalks for pedestrians
• Clean and Green – No littering is done as all the concrete is recycled or disposed using a safe method.
• We always give a detailed report of the job done. This includes price, invoices, measurements, map location and sand cost incurred by the company.
• We minimise the clients’ risk
• Time-saving: MegaSaw takes less time on the sidewalks and there is no need to close it
• Fair prices are set after considering the type of work expected to be done. No standard fee means that the price is set after evaluating the amount of work.
• Full contract service – The client does not have to hire extra contractor for other related services as the company will cover all the work.
• Guarantee – There is an approximation that MegaSaw’s service is 100% satisfactory to our clients in terms of quality of service and time. At MegaSaw, we highly value our clients, which is the reason why our customers keep coming back whenever they need this type of services. MegaSaw makes sure our clients are satisfied with the work before leaving the site.

 

Concrete cutting requires delicate precision to ensure purposeful results. It requires an experienced hand with optimal know-how of how to use modern equipment to accurately make desired cuts.

Clients require perfection and nothing less is acceptable.

MegaSaw is a trusted concrete cutting service. Backed by a team of the world’s finest concrete cutting specialists, they are always ready to perform high quality concrete cutting services at affordable rates.

Quality Equipment

Beginning with the use of excellent diamond bits and moving onto the crushing equipment (when necessary), MegaSaw is home to the finest concrete cutting tools in the world. This is a service that goes the extra mile to have modernistic equipment that is ahead of anything else that is out there.

This ensures MegaSaw is able to produce results faster than anyone else and more efficiently. Clients deserve the best and that is precisely what is on offer with this service.

The equipment is regularly vetted for maximum efficiency and is utilized by specialized professionals for optimal results.

 

Disposal of Concrete

Want the concrete removed as soon as possible? There are services out there who are unable to take care of these issues. MegaSaw is able to crush and dispose of the concrete that has been cut. The excess should not be lying around and clients should not have to deal with the rubble that is left behind.

MegaSaw ensures the concrete is removed as soon as the project is done to ensure the environment is as clean as it was prior to the commencement of the project. Quality results aren’t left for the concrete itself, but the surrounding area around the concrete.

 

Customer Service

MegaSaw will always provide a courteous, flexible environment for the client to thrive in. Our specialists are trained to provide high-quality results that are going to bring a smile to your face.

Customer service is essential in the modern age of business and MegaSaw understands the importance of keeping you happy. We are always willing to sit down and listen to what our clients have to say.

Our representatives are trained to provide customized results from beginning to end. All of your questions and/or concerns will be alleviated before the project commences.

 

Timely

Want the concrete cutting do be done before an established deadline? Don’t want to deal with false promises where the deadline is pushed further and further?

MegaSaw guarantees high-quality results with an established deadline that is met on time.

Forget about wasting time with services who are only good for making false promises. It is time to go with professionals who value your time and want to provide results as soon as possible by beating the deadline that was set.

MegaSaw works tirelessly to beat the deadlines that are established to guarantee the client is satisfied.

 

Commercial or Residential

What type of concrete cutting is on offer for clients? Commercial and/or residential clients are welcome to call in and speak with one of our representatives as no project is too big or too small. MegaSaw is always willing to work with its clients to produce results that are meaningful.

All projects are done with precision and care to ensure the client is content with the results produced. Finishing is a key component of concrete cutting services and our team recognizes the importance of meeting these established standards.

 

Environment Friendly

For MegaSaw, the environment is important and meeting local and federal standards with regard to environment regulations is critical.

By going with MegaSaw, you will be selecting an environment friendly solution that will produce quality results while making eco-friendly decisions.

Reduce your carbon footprint by going with a company that cares about the environment. We will make sure the concrete is cut in a manner that does not harm the environment and the cleanup afterwards is done efficiently and thoroughly.

MegaSaw does not cut corners when it comes to cleaning up afterwards and ensuring the environment is not effected. MegaSaw is committed to remaining eco-friendly with all of its processes.

Concrete cutting is all about perfection and aesthetic finishing. With an establish quality control process in place, MegaSaw and its team are ready to provide servicing that is ahead of anything else that is on the market.

There is no comparison when it comes to the refined quality that is on offer with this service.

Clients get the very best when they contact MegaSaw and that begins with the customer service that is brought forward during the initial assessment.

MegaSaw prides itself on quality results and a proven process that works hand in hand with the client’s personal requirements.

Do you have a concrete drilling project that requires immediate, professional attention? It is important to come to a service with years of experience and knowledge to complete the job properly.

Forget about going to amateurs or doing it on your own. MegaSaw is the only option to consider.

This is a team that works tirelessly to produce results that are of the highest quality. Concrete drilling has never been easier as it is now for clients who go with MegaSaw. We are a reputable company with the world’s finest professionals working on our team.

We make sure you get the best results every single time.

Experience

Want a team that is going to use its years of experience to do the job correctly? Concrete drilling is a complex task which requires safety precautions and attention to detail. Without requisite experience, it is impossible to get the kind of results you want.

MegaSaw makes sure the results are in accordance with your needs and wants at all times and nothing less is expected of our team. The experience on offer ensures you are going to get results that are ahead of anything else that is out there at the moment.

 

Flawless Finishing

Finishing touches are the main part of this project. Concrete drilling without any purpose or aim can result in catastrophic damage which cannot be undone.

In order to avoid this, it is essential to hire MegaSaw and its team to produce exactly the results you want.

Concrete drilling is all about finishing the job with precision and class, which is precisely what MegaSaw guarantees to all of its present and future clients. Anything short of flawless finishing is unacceptable by our quality standards.

 

Modern Technologies

Concrete drilling using old methods which take up valuable time and waste money is something MegaSaw avoids wholeheartedly. This service ensures only the finest gadgets and tools built specifically for concrete drilling purposes are used on all projects.

These high-end tools are designed to produce results in the short and long-term. The accuracy of the drilling is precise, the results are flawless, and the time spent is reduced. This technology alone is a reason to hire MegaSaw over anyone else as the results on offer with modern technologies will always be better than other options.

 

Excellent Customer Service

Want to be treated like a respected client? Don’t want to deal with people who are trying to get their way and will not listen? Forget about going to places that do not value you as a person and don’t want to form a relationship that is going to produce quality results.

MegaSaw and its team make sure the client feels relaxed and understands how the process is going to work from start to end. This is an important part of how we deal with our clients and ensure they are satisfied with the results.

 

Flexible Rates

Searching for a bargain, but don’t know how to ask? Don’t worry, MegaSaw and its representatives will ensure the client is able to vent all of their concerns during regular updates and meetings.

If you are searching for flexible rates that are ahead of the competitors, ask our representatives to sit down and put together a price point that is perfect for your personal budget.

We are always willing to listen to our clients and get a feel of what they require both in terms of the project and the rates that will be established.

 

Regularly Updated Techniques

The techniques used during the process of concrete drilling are regularly updated to meet modern standards. Quality is something we never cut corners on and we make sure the techniques put in place will maximize the results in our client’s favour.

You will only get the best and we are constantly updating our practices to make sure the concrete drilling being done is as safe as possible. You deserve the best and this is what we aim to deliver from the beginning. Our techniques are honed and refined to meet the needs of our clients. Customized results are essential and should be expected.

MegaSaw is the only option to consider when it comes to your concrete drilling needs. The days of going and hiring someone that does not know what they are doing are long gone.

It is important to hire a team that is accredited and understands the ins and outs of concrete drilling without causing additional damage.

We do the job properly the first time around so you don’t have to worry about getting it redone later on.

MegaSaw is the number one concrete drilling service in the nation and continues to earn rave reviews because of its service, quality, and professionalism.

Whether it is a residential or commercial project, concrete drilling services have to produce results that are aesthetic, precise, and of the highest quality. Clients who are on a budget expect the best possible results from their contractor – that’s why MegaSaw ensures these expectations are not only met but exceeded.

When searching for the highest quality concrete drilling services in town, MegaSaw is the best and only option to consider that is going to be worthwhile. This is a team with years of experience who are going to go above and beyond to meet your personal needs.

Delicate and Precise

Have a project that is in a sensitive location or a clean room environment? There are many clients who have specific needs and require the drilling to be as flawless as possible without causing additional damage.

MegaSaw has 20 years of experience in dealing with related environments and have the requisite knowledge to do the job delicately and with precision. The team will assess the area before moving forward and put together the best course of action to drill through without causing damage.

 

Time Management

Deadlines are critical for clients and you should expect to be given firm deadlines right from the start. MegaSaw ensures the client is not left hanging with false promises that are not met.

We ensure the client gets the results they desired on the deadline they wanted. Anything short of this is a failure and this is unacceptable with our service.

We make sure all projects are not only completed on time, but are completed in accordance with the client’s needs. Our team is quick and accurate and makes sure the drilling is perfect.

 

Client Satisfaction

A satisfied client brings a smile to our faces more than anything else. We will go the extra mile to make sure you are satisfied with the results and the process used to achieve them. We are regularly open to listening to your suggestions and needs in order to get the results as wanted.

MegaSaw regards customer service as the most important part of business and we will guarantee our representatives are going to be courteous when you meet them. Our representatives are trained to be friendly and professional at all times and you shouldn’t expect anything less from them.

 

Firm Promises

Hate contractors that make promises and then change halfway through? Forget about those extended deadlines that tend to keep getting prolonged as each day goes by. MegaSaw ensures the project is done on the date it promises so the client gets what they required right away.

We will not establish false promises and waste your time and money. We value your time and will make sure it is not wasted by providing firm promises that are fulfilled. With years of experience, we are renowned for meeting our client’s expectations and fulfilling all of our promises and guarantees.

 

Reasonable Pricing

Want to get the right rate for your concrete drilling requirements? MegaSaw offers competitive rates that are better than what the market has to offer. If you are not satisfied with the rates, our representatives are always willing to sit down and provide flexible options.

Our goal is to have satisfied clients and we aim to do this by remaining flexible with our rates at all times. MegaSaw ensures all clients are getting a deal that is fair in the short and the long-term. The right price is out there and we will make sure it is with us.

 

Reliable

The days of dealing with services who are after your money are long gone. Forget about dealing with a service that is not reliable, show up late, and don’t perform the task as expected. Those companies should be getting your business as they will waste your time.

Go with a reliable team that has years of experience and has been producing flawless results for a very long time. This is the best service in town and the only one you should be considering when it comes to residential or commercial concrete drilling needs. Concrete drilling for MegaSaw is all about the results and the client.

MegaSaw is a team of specialized professionals with years of experience under their belt and they continue to refine their techniques. Our service is reliant on producing high-quality results each and every time.

If you require flawless, aesthetic results from your concrete drilling, MegaSaw is the only option to consider.

You are going to be treated like royalty from the moment you make contact because we value your time. MegaSaw prides itself on both its customer service and quality control standards. Anything short of the best is not going to suffice with our professionals and we make sure we deliver for our clients.

Concrete cutting can take care of sawing, drilling and removing pieces of concrete in a controlled manner, using saws that have diamond impregnated blades. It is important to note that concrete cutting is done by skilled workers with plenty of experience and that know exactly what they are doing.

In the past people used a jack hammer to get rid of this concrete, but this method left much to be desired. Concrete cutting leaves a smooth cut and finish and also uses water to prevent dust and mess. Concrete cutting knows several different specialties, such as core drilling, wall sawing and flat sawing.

A well-known technique in concrete cutting is wall sawing. This process cuts through openings such as windows and doors in walls of concrete. Most of these walls are no more than 30 Cm thick, yet there are cases in which the thickness can count up to 30 Cm thick.

Concrete wall cutting is usually done using a saw attached to a wall track. The saw itself is usually very large, with a size of 70 Cm and made with a diamond blade. Wall cutting requires knowledge, experience and skill and cannot be performed by just anyone.

Wall cutting can be used to

• Cut openings in foundations;
• Lower the elevation of a building; and
• Remove the building’s foundation completely

This makes it clear that a lot of experience and talent is needed to get the job done perfectly. The service itself is therefore, understandably, more expensive than other services of its kind.

Some property owners find that it is easier, safer and even cheaper in some cases, to hire a concrete cutting contractor to perform wall cutting to cut into an existing foundation, as they are trying to build an additional basement. Doing this during construction is more beneficial than doing it after.

Another specialty of concrete cutting companies is core drilling.

This is another complicated process where holes are being drilled through walls and floors of concrete, which are perfectly round and usually have a diameter of 2 Cm to 30 Cm.

Core drilling for commercial buildings can lead up to holes of double that size. These holes are being used for electrical or plumbing, but also for heating and furnaces. Core drilling is less complex than wall cutting, but still needs experience and knowledge.

It is therefore advisable to hire an experienced concrete cutting contractor. This might save you money and time, by not having to correct any mistakes made by someone that is inexperienced. On top of that, core drilling is a lot less expensive than wall cutting and is usually done in just a few minutes by the right company. If you want to do it yourself, then you might spend an entire week trying to use the machinery and to drill the holes. A professional concrete cutter will make it look much easier.

Flat sawing is also a heavily used technique in concrete cutting. This technique is used to a flat surface, like a floor or pavement.

The machine that is used to cut uses blades of diamond and has a machine with an operator walking behind. For private properties, the average cutting depth is 15 Cm, but it is possible for this machinery to cut to a depth of around 80 Cm.

But what is this technique used for? Flat sawing is the ideal problem solver for pipes that are broken, as it is easy to reach the pipes with a nice and clear cut. It is also perfect to repair a sewer line or to add plumbing of a new bathroom in the basement for example. Demolition work can also be done with a flat saw, as it can break pieces easily and remove a driveway, patio and much more.

Flat sawing is the easiest of the three and can possibly be done by someone more inexperienced. However, it also requires a lot of time to do and you are much better off hiring a professional.

If you have any kind of concrete cutting tasks, it is better to hire a professional to take care of it for you. You might end up saving time and money in the end. Faulty construction can end up as a serious problem, causing you to lose even more money while trying to fix the problems.

At Megasaw you can expect the best service with a friendly and kind touch.

We are professionals with more than 20 years of experience. If you have a project in Melbourne, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We can help you with concrete cutting, concrete drilling and much more. With us, you can get your project done faster than you though possible. Call us for more information!

Cutting concrete requires highly specialised equipment and machinery. This is particularly true if you want to make sure that the concrete is cut cleanly and smoothly, with minimal waste.

Using the wrong tools could damage the concrete or make the job take much longer than it should. At MegaSaw, we specialise in concrete cutting and drilling, and have ten fully equipped vans available to cover your concrete cutting needs.

Common Concrete Cutting Tools

Cut-Off Machines

We use several different kinds of machines for concrete cutting. The industry standard is the cut-off machine. This is the go-to tool for most small concrete cutting jobs.

A cut-off machine is a powerful hand-held saw that can be used to cut into asphalt, metal and concrete. Depending on the job that the cut-off machine is being used for, the tool can be equipped with a resin abrasive cutting wheel or a strong and sharp diamond blade.

Cut-off machines are usually powered by a two-stroke gasoline engine, but there are some variants that are powered by hydraulics, air compressors or electric motors.

If the concrete cutting job must be carried out indoors, then an electric cutter is the best choice because of limited ventilation. Electric cutters tend to be less powerful than gas powered cutters, but the safety of the person operating the tool should never be sacrificed for speed.

Diamond Chainsaws

Diamond chainsaws are more powerful than cut-off machines and are also able to make deeper cuts. Unlike cut-off machines, which cut across the material, chainsaws plunge deep into the material being cut.

The cut-off machine has a circular blade, and even a 14 inch circular blade can cut only 5 inches deep – less than half of the diameter of the blade. On the other hand, even small chain saws can cut up to 10 inches deep, while bigger saws can plunge as much as 16 inches into the concrete.

For most jobs, a gas chainsaw that can cut 12 inches deep is good enough. However, for the most demanding jobs there are hydraulic chainsaws with diamond blades that are capable of making 25-inch incisions.

Diamond chainsaws use long, narrow guidebars that allow people to make deep cuts with no overcut. It is easy to cut square corners with them – something that you cannot achieve with a circular blade. Diamond chainsaws can also be very precise, when used correctly, and can be used to make relatively small openings.

Choosing the Right Tool

At MegaSaw, we emphasize the importance of choosing the right tool for the job. It is not enough to simply purchase a large, heavy chainsaw if you want to make small cuts, for example.

Most people who are serious about their construction work will need both a chainsaw and a cut-off machine. At MegaSaw, we use the Husqvarna variety of hand saw, and we also have tools for core drilling, rock drilling, ring sawing and road sawing as well as wire sawing and diamond grinding.

In addition, we understand that after you have finished cutting your concrete you may have some waste material that may need to be removed.

Concrete is heavy and must be disposed of correctly.

We offer concrete removal services in addition to our concrete cutting services. If you have a major job that you need to get completed, get in touch with us today.

No job is too big or too small for us. We would be happy to work with you to discuss both your equipment and your service needs in person.

Concrete is a difficult material to work with. If you need to cut, saw or drill into concrete you will need to use special drills and the right safety equipment. Here is a handy guide that will help you to make sure that your work with concrete goes as smoothly as possible.

How Concrete Sawing Works

Concrete saws come in two forms: cut-off machines and diamond chain saws.

Cut-off machines have circular blades that are good for cutting smaller pieces of concrete such as paving stones. These tools are light and easy to handle. However, they can only be used for smaller cuts, and tend toproduce some over-cut.

In contrast, diamond chain saws are able to cut much deeper, and can be used to make perfect corners with no over-cut. This means that they are much more versatile and are an ideal choice for both heavy duty jobs and jobs that require slightly more precision.

It is important that you choose the right tool for the job. Bear in mind that while cut-off machines have circular blades that can be quite large in diameter, the depth of the cut that the blade can make is dictated by how much blade is visible past the guard. The cut will usually be significantly less than the radius of the blade. For example, most 14 inch blades can only make five inch cuts, not seven inch cuts as you might expect.

How Concrete Drilling Works

Just as with concrete sawing, there are a few different kind of concrete drills. These drills can be divided into two types: impact drills and non-impact drills.

Impact drills work a lot like normal drills, except in addition to rotational force they use percussive force to speed up the drilling process. Because concrete is so hard, you must use special drill bits that are either made of a strong carbide, or have diamond tips. If you choose the wrong drill bit then the drilling process will take a lot longer, or you could end up damaging the bit, or, worse, the material that you are trying to drill.

Non-impact drilling uses diamond tipped drill bits instead of carbide drill bits. Non-impact drills can drill holes that are much bigger in diameter than the holes made by impact drills, but the drilling process takes a very long time. Because of the friction that is generated when drilling, non-impact drills must be cooled with water, and you will also need to use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the slurry that is produced by the combination of water and dust from the drill.

Some Final Tips

Whether you are sawing or drilling into concrete it is important that you clean up properly after the work is done. Many local authorities will not allow you to dispose of concrete in the normal garbage disposal system so you will need to arrange for the waste to be collected. There are a lot of specialist waste disposal companies that will do this for you, and the company that rented the drill or saw may be able to either do the disposal work in-house or recommend a company for you to call.

Be sure to wear the correct safety gear when you are working with concrete. Wear goggles to stop dust getting in your eyes, gloves to protect your hands and a mask so that you don’t accidentally inhale any dust.

If you are renting cutting equipment, choose the highest quality gear that you can afford.

Cutting into concrete can be hard work and if you skimp on equipment you are only making the job harder for yourself.

Remember that gas powered machines tend to be more powerful than electric ones. However, there are some occasions when an electric machine is a better choice. For example, if you are renting a machine for use indoors then you should choose electrical over gas to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas powered machines are not safe to use in areas with poor ventilation.

In contrast, if you will be working outdoors far away from a power source, a gas powered machine is the logical choice.

Renovating a driveway can be a lot of hard work. These driveway concrete cutting tips will help you to ensure that the concrete cutting process goes as smoothly as possible, keeping you safe and minimising the amount of physical effort needed to get the job done effectively.

Working with Concrete

Concrete is one of the toughest and most difficult materials to work with. It is hard and dense, and produces a huge amount of dust when it is cut into.

To work with concrete safely you need the right tools. You also need to be very patient, since cutting concrete is a slow process.

The following tips will help you to learn how to cut and break through concrete safely and neatly.

 

Choosing the Right Tools

If the concrete on your driveway is not reinforced, and if it is no thicker than four inches, then you can get away with using a sledge hammer – assuming, of course, that you don’t mind hard physical labour.

However, if you are cutting a much thicker surface then you will need more powerful equipment. You have several choices depending on the location of the concrete, its thickness, and the type of cut you want to make.

Most people use hammer drills, pneumatic jack hammers or electric breakers to cut up concrete on their driveway.

The first thing that you need to do is make an initial surface cut:

1. Mark out the hole that you need to cut using some chalk;
2. Cut along the line as deep as you can using a circular saw or a demolition saw;
3. Start the breaking process

This initial surface cut helps to make the concrete a little easier to break through and also ensures that the final cut is as neat as possible.

 

The Final Cut

Slowly work with the tip of your cutting tool from inside the marked zone, chipping the concrete carefully along the saw line. To ensure that the cut is accurate, let the tool’s tip lean away from the section of concrete that you want to keep in place.

This will ensure that when the edges of the concrete crack, the concrete that you are keeping in place will be undamaged.

Work slowly and methodically until you have penetrated all of the concrete surrounding the saw cut. Then break up small chunks of concrete, bit by bit, until the demarcated area is broken down.

 

Safety Tips

Working on your driveway is fairly safe, but there are still some things that you should consider in terms of safety.

Be sure to wear steel toed boots to protect your feet, and wear gloves to protect your hands.

Exposure to concrete dust can cause various skin conditions, and there is always the risk of getting your hand caught by some flying chunks of concrete, or snagged by some tools.

Wear safety goggles, because concrete dust is not just irritating. Dust in your eyes can actually cause you to lose your eyesight.

Wear earmuffs or ear plugs to protect your hearing – especially if you are working with a powerful saw or a pneumatic drill.

Finally, wear a good dust mask – or ideally a respirator. Concrete creates a huge amount of dust when it is broken down, and inhaling that dust can cause both short term respiratory tract irritation and long term lung problems.

Once you have broken down the concrete and finished whatever work it is you need done, you will need to arrange to have the concreted disposed of.

Many companies that offer concrete cutting equipment which you can use for driveway concrete cutting also offer concrete disposal services.

It is a good idea to take advantage of those services instead of simply trying to dispose of concrete in your normal waste bins. Many local authorities will fine you if they notice that you are throwing away concrete in normal domestic waste because it causes issues with recycling or incineration facilities.

Do things properly from the outset to reduce the amount of stress and inconvenience you face, and ensure that everything is safe as well.