We’ve all come across a footpath; however, have you ever noticed that they have gaps or lines in between them? Better yet, have you ever wondered why there are gaps or lines in the first place?

These gaps are not placed in concrete footpaths for design purposes; rather, these gaps are intentionally added to help keep the concrete’s structural integrity intact. However, how do they do this? If you have often wondered about this, then we’re here to help provide all the answers you are looking for. If you would like to learn more, please continue reading below.

The Purpose Of Concrete Footpath Gaps

When concrete and other common construction materials are subjected to changes in extreme temperatures, they can be prone to expanding and contracting. If concrete is poured as one long slab, expansion and contraction due to the weather’s temperature can lead to cracks, buckles, and breaks.

As such, one way to avoid this from happening is by adding uniformed and evenly spaced gaps. These gaps are known as expansion joints, which are designed to let concrete have room to expand and contract without damaging its structural integrity. 

When concrete dries, it can also be prone to shrinkage. With the introduction of expansion joints, when the concrete dries and shrinks cracks that may form as a result should form in the path of the expansion joints. This is because this is where the concrete is the thinnest. If the cracks follow the expansion joints, the cracks won’t appear so bad. 

These cracks are installed by concrete sawing machines, special grooving tools, or plastic strips known as zip-strips. The joints should be placed deep enough to ensure that the cracks appear in the right or preferred places.

Therefore, if the concrete is constructed properly, it can be resistant to cracking due to expansion and/or contraction from changes in temperature. Of course, this will keep the concrete crack-resistant for quite some time.

Why Do Concrete Footpaths Crack?

While concrete is recognised as a long-lasting building material, at some point in its lifetime it will inevitably develop cracks – it’s just a matter of when. 

Concrete will be even more prone to cracking if it is subject to poor construction such as incorrect blending of cement mixture or not properly curing the concrete slab. Both of these problems can lead to premature cracking and the development of structural problems with the concrete. 

Additionally, cracks in concrete can also arise due to voids in the soil below the slab. If a new concrete slab is poured on a poorly-compacted surface, this can trap empty pockets of air in the soil. Over time as the soil begins to settle in those pockets, the concrete slab can sink and crack. 

Well-built concrete footpaths can still be prone to cracks, but with proper construction practices, this can be delayed as much as possible. Therefore, precautionary measures such as expansion joints are one way by which concrete cracks can be controlled and mitigated in the future.

Repairing Concrete Cracks

When it comes to repairing concrete footpath cracks, you can either replace the broken portions or carry out a slab jacking repair.

Replacement can be quite costly given that you will need to remove the old slab and construct a new one. You also have to consider whether the underlying soil needs to be stabilised, because if it isn’t stabilised and you add a new concrete slab then it will pretty much develop the same problem. 

Slab jacking is less expensive and can fill voids in the soil so that cracks are prevented. It is also quick, easy, and mess-free. Once the job is finished, the footpath will be levelled and restored. 

Summary

Concrete footpaths have gaps between them by design. Since concrete is prone to expansion and contraction from weather temperatures or during the drying process, cracks, buckles, and breaks can easily form. 

With gaps or expansion joints, cracks will be more easily controlled and concentrated on specific areas. While cracks are inevitable, expansion joints are just one way to put them off for as long as possible.

When it comes to concrete cutting, if you need concrete cutting performed safely and reliably, be it commercial or residential, please call us at MEGASAW.

We have over 20 years of experience providing quality concrete cutting services all over Melbourne. Our experience is your guarantee!

Please call us today on 1300 920 419 or leave an inquiry.

Many large-scale construction projects require an element of concrete sawing and drilling. However, have you ever wondered how this process is carried out?

Before concrete cutting and drilling is carried out, many contractors perform concrete scanning, a process that uses non-destructive technology to detect underground debris that could potentially be damaged or cause damage in the process of concrete cutting.

As such, if you plan to carry out a construction project that involves locating structures such as drainpipes, you should perform concrete scanning beforehand. 

What Is Concrete Scanning?

As previously mentioned, concrete scanning makes use of non-destructive technology such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR), a ferroscan instrument, a cover meter, or ultrasonic scanning equipment to scan concrete in various depth ranges and conditions. 

Ideally, you should always scan concrete if you are planning to perform drilling, coring, cutting, and other types of destructive work. Concrete scanning can be especially useful and helpful if you plan to perform the following:

• Subsurface utility engineering
• Underground utility locating
• Private utility locating
• Utility location within the existing concrete
• Planning and preparing for CCTV, video, or other pipe inspections
• Preconstruction utility mapping
• Safety hazard recognition, marking, and avoidance

However, detecting anomalies is not where concrete scanning stops. Once these anomalies have been detected they will be interpreted by highly experienced engineers who will advise the construction project on how to appropriately move forward.

From here, you’ll be able to make markings of dangerous spots to perform destructive action, saving you both time, money, and of course, resources in your intended construction project.

What Can Concrete Scanning Locate?

Concrete scanning is capable of detecting the following:

• Drain pipes
• Post-tension cables
• Voids
• Electrical conduits
• Gas pipes
• Water lines
• Various PVC conduits
• Leaks
• Other hidden objects 

They can also be used to conduct a structural review that includes rebar spacing and concrete slab measurements. The best part is that results can be produced on-site and in real-time, which leads to both minimal disruption and costs.

Is Concrete Scanning A Safety Measure?

The short answer: yes. Concrete scanning is not only designed to help you visualise underground anomalies you may not be able to see before performing destructive work, but it is an imperative safety measure to take.

For example, damage to post-tension cables and rebar can pose extremely dangerous safety hazards that can lead to structural failure, injury, and even death on site. Damage to electrical components within the concrete can also cause electrocution and death. 

As such, concrete scanning is not only helpful for your construction project but will keep your workers safe from possible hazards, while also providing you with a safe plan to move forward.

What Else Can Concrete Scanning Do?

Did you know that you can scan vertical surfaces? That’s right! You can even detect drain pipes in ceilings or vertical walls because GPR equipment is capable of locating rebar in concrete walls and columns. 

Concrete scanning can even be used to scan underneath floors and mark reinforcing steel or other embedded conduits. 

Concrete scanning can also help differentiate between rebar and a conduit. Generally, these two can produce the same GPR readings; however, there are subtle differences particularly in the pattern and spacing of rebar. If the rebar has a break, more often than not this means that there is a conduit.

However, it is also important to remember that concrete scanning cannot see through concrete! GPR can only detect embedded materials or voids. 

Final Thoughts

If your original plan was to just locate a drain pipe in concrete before cutting the concrete, then you’ll be surprised to know that the latest technology today can do much more than just detecting drain pipes!

Concrete scanning can be used to locate all sorts of sites and spaces unseen to the human eye, such as post-tension cables, voids, electrical conduits, and others that can potentially cause structural damage and pose disastrous safety hazards.

So, while concrete scanning will allow you to have a better idea of where to safely cut concrete, concrete scanning can also protect your workers and prevent you from wasting time, money, and resources!

If you need concrete sawing performed safely and reliably, be it commercial or residential, please call us at MEGASAW. We have over 20 years of experience providing quality concrete cutting services all over Melbourne. Our experience is your guarantee!

Please call us today on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website.

Cutting concrete is a tough enough job. It is even tougher to saw straight through a thick slab with a concrete saw. However, there are ways to make the work easier by using the right technique.

So whether you need to saw straight on concrete slabs, walls, floors, etc, follow our easy steps to make sure that you cut straight with a concrete saw.

Safety First

Before you start, make sure you wear proper protection to prevent accidents and harming yourself. Wear the following:

• Heavy longsleeved shirt and pants
• Shin guards
• Knee pads
• Steel-toed boots
• Eye protection
• Ear protection
• Full face shield
• High-filtration dust mask

Materials and Tools

• Concrete Saw preferably using a diamond blade
• Drop cloths
• Duct tape
• Chalk
• Measuring tools
• A ground fault circuit interrupter (protection for the extension cord)
• Garden hose
• Scrap wood the length of your cut (to work as a guide)
• Wet or dry vacuum
• Sledgehammer
• Prybar
• Claw hammer (optional)
• Mason chisel (optional)
• Broom
• Dustpan

Preparation

• Clean the area of debris, mess, and obstructions. 
• Make sure the area is safe and everyone is at a safe distance. 
• Put on all your safety gear and equipment. 
• Test the concrete saw to make sure it is working properly.

Step 1

Choose the process you are going to use – are you dry-cutting or wet-cutting? There are different types of diamond blades for a concrete saw.

There is one specifically designed for wet sawing and there is one for dry sawing.  Wet sawing is most preferable because it produces much less dust and is less stressful for the concrete blade.

Wet cutting requires the use of water so have your water hose ready and make sure the water pressure is reliable.

Step 2

Prepare the work area. If you are working in an enclosed space, tape drop cloths to any doors, windows and any air intakes to make sure that the dust and flying debris do not enter the other parts of your home or building. 

If you are working in an open space, make sure that you have enough space away from people and anything that will break. Only authorised and necessary personnel and workers should be within the vicinity.

Step 3

Measure and mark the spots you are going to cut. Apply the lines as thick as possible. Try to get waterproof markers or chalk so the marks won’t disappear once you start cutting and the water trickles over the markings.

Step 4

Position the garden hose properly so it will hit the diamond blade generously and the water will trickle down to where the blade makes contact with the concrete.

This will ensure that the blade is kept cool and the dust does not become airborne. The water stream should be steady and consistent.

Doing this is easy when you are working on a horizontal area like floors, pavements, and roads. For vertical spaces like a wall, it is more challenging to keep the water stable and on point.

You will require assistance from another worker or two to keep the water jet spraying on the blade and the marked area while you focus on the sawing.

Step 5

Position the scrap wood (preferably 1 inch thick) along the outside of the marked lines. This will serve as a guide as you cut along making sure that the line is straight.

Step 6

Before turning on the concrete saw, set the depth lever or the knob to half an inch deep. This will ensure that the cuts you make will not go over half an inch deep.

Doing shallow cuts will give you more control and help your blade to cool off. This is a better strategy than cutting deep all at once.

By going all in, you will be pushing your concrete blade too far which can cause costly damage to the saw and the concrete.

Power the saw at the lowest revolutions per minute. Maintain a constant but firm grip on the concrete saw. Move the saw slowly forward against the guide board. Let the concrete saw do the work.

Do not push or put too much pressure on the concrete, just guide it and keep a firm hold. Cut for 30 to 45 seconds at a time. Running the concrete saw at longer times will cause the blade to overheat or break.

Step 7

When you are done cutting, let the saw continue to run while you remove the blade away from the concrete.

This will give the blade a chance to spit out any dust and debris which will stop it from clogging up and also allows the blade to cool down. Alternate cutting and cooling down for 30 to 45 seconds each time.

Step 8

Once you have completed the straight line, remove the guide board. Go back to the start of the cut and continue cutting deeper until you achieve your desired or target depth. Continue doing intermittent cuts.

Step 9

Take breaks to take out the accumulated dust and debris. Even with wet sawing, dust and debris will still accumulate. Clean the workspace regularly using a broom or vacuum to do the job.

Step 10 

When you are done cutting, use a sledgehammer or mason chisel to clean the edges. Use the tools carefully so you will not cause the concrete to break or chip off on the edges.

Step 11

Clean up and put away all equipment and tools especially the concrete saw. 

Operating a concrete saw is a big feat. For quick, accurate, cost-effective, and timely, concrete cutting, let Melbourne’s most trusted do the job.

For all concrete cutting needs, be it commercial or residential, call us at MEGASAW. We have over 20 years of experience providing quality concrete services in Melbourne. Our experience is your guarantee!

Please call us today on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website.

Typically, concrete structures are built to be strong and durable. They are built to withstand the test of time and remain intact or solid for many years.

As such, tough materials such as gravel and steel bars are used to ensure that nothing can cut through or bring down these structures.

However, what happens when you need to renovate or bring down a specific concrete structure? What do you do when you want to make precise changes or fixes to concrete structures like floors?

Please keep reading as this article will reveal how you can cut through concrete structures like floors without cracking or breaking them.

Concrete Floors

More and more people are finding themselves in situations where they need to cut through concrete floors within their buildings in order to undertake certain repairs or renovation tasks.

However, a good number of these people do not how to correctly undertake this job. Cutting through concrete is highly a delicate and complex task.

One simple mistake can have massive repercussions.

One of the most common problems that people face when cutting through concrete structures like floors is cracking and breaking of the concrete.

Just imagine yourself in the process of cutting through a concrete floor and then boom, the concrete beneath you suddenly cracks or breaks.

This situation can be nerve-wracking and sometimes, disastrous.

Concrete Saws

To cut through concrete floors, you need a powerful concrete saw that can cut through various layers of hardened concrete mix.

The saw also needs to be able to cut through reinforced steel bars that are often found within the structure of concrete floors.

No other power tool is as effective as a concrete saw with a wet diamond blade.

There are two types of concrete saws you’ll find in the market. The first is hand-held concrete saws that are typically used to cut small blocks or slabs of concrete.

The others are walk-behind concrete saws that are commonly used to cut concrete floors and other large concrete structures.

Cutting Mistakes and Problems

There are various mistakes and errors that you can make that can lead to serious problems such as cracking and breaking. Remember, concrete floors are usually very sturdy and strong.

However, they are also very brittle which means that they can crack or break easily when mishandled. Concrete floors are like biscuits, one wrong cut can cause them to break up.

Unfortunately, most people only learn about this when it’s too late. A cracked or broken concrete floor is a huge safety hazard that can make a building uninhabitable.

So, when undertaking any concrete floor cutting job, it’s important to follow the right steps and procedures.

Precautions To Take

Cutting through a concrete floor may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. You only need to be careful and patient.

The first thing you need to do is mark the area you want to cut on the concrete floor. Make sure there are no electrical or plumbing lines under the area.

Next, connect your concrete saw to a running supply of water and power it up. Make sure you wear the necessary safety gear and clothing before you begin cutting.

Finally, position the saw on one of the edges of the marked area and start cutting slowly. Move the saw forward gradually and make sure to monitor the depth of the blade.

Make sure to raise the blade and reposition the saw every time you reach the end of an edge. You should never try to cut corners or change direction without stopping and repositioning the saw.

As we can see, there are many things to consider when cutting through concrete which means this is a task that is best left to reputable and experienced professionals.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website.