Concrete cutting is important in construction especially when it comes to concrete floors. Concrete will crack no matter how careful you are, however, the good news is that you can control and reduce the cracking.
The trick is in the timing – if you cut your concrete floor too soon, it will ruin the integrity of the concrete. If you cut too late, you have defeated the purpose of cutting it.
In this article, we will look at the different ways of cutting concrete floors but before we do, please take note of some important factors to consider:
When:
- New Construction – for new construction, you can anticipate cracking and reduce it by sawing your concrete floors in a strategic way that you can incorporate into the design.
- Remodelling or Renovation – when installing new drain lines and a new plumbing system for a new bathroom or kitchen.
Factors to consider when it comes to cutting:
- The type of mixture – how strong is your mixture?
- Kind of aggregates used – sand, crushed rocks, synthetic, etc.
- Weather conditions – if sunny or hot weather, the concrete may dry too fast and will cause cracking.
- The hardness of the concrete – if your concrete is hard, you may need to cut earlier.
- The type of equipment – the type of concrete saw will also help determine the timing of cutting concrete. You may need to cut the concrete earlier while it has not set depending on the capacity of the saw.
Equipment Used
The generic term for a concrete saw is consaw or road saw. The saw blade is mostly diamond-tipped so it can withstand the hardness of the concrete.
They are far more powerful than the conventional saws you are familiar with. There are different kinds of concrete saw blades that can be used for cutting your concrete floors.
Types of blade:
- Corundum Masonry Blade – used for short shallow cutting. These blades are weak and can break off fairly easily.
- Diamond Blade – cuts concrete with greater efficiency. Diamond blade saws have serrated edges that keep the blade cool when cutting. They are perfect for concrete sawing. They can be used for short and shallow cuts or deep and long cuts.
How They Are Handled:
- Handheld concrete saw – these are small, lightweight handheld saws that are used for tight inaccessible areas. They have low horsepower but is also slow in cutting.
- Walk-behind concrete saw – these are bigger, heavier and more powerful. They cut fast but they are heavy so they are hard to move.
How They are Powered:
- Gas-powered concrete saw
- Electric-powered concrete saw
- Battery-powered concrete saw
How To Cut A Concrete Floor
- Locate the designated area to cut. Be accurate. Use a tape measure and mark the outline of each end of the channel. Use chalk to mark the perimeter to be cut. Make sure there are no plumbing or electrical lines underneath. If you are unsure about the location of these lines, consult a professional. You don’t want to damage your plumbing and electrical systems. These are expensive to repair and replace.
- Be safe. Always put on safety goggles, ear protection, and steel-toed shoes. Safety first all the time. You are far more important than your structure. If you are putting yourself in harm’s way, better put down that saw and hire someone who can do it safely and efficiently.
- Start cutting. Stick to the outline and the markings you made. Try to keep it as accurate as possible. Make sure you are fully-equipped and knowledgeable in using a concrete saw before you start the job, otherwise, let a professional cutter do the job. You might end up causing damage to your concrete floors, causing you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repairs.
Important Tips
- Make sure that your concrete saw is well-lubricated.
- Check the blades before, during and after use. Make sure they are not damaged.
- Do not exert unnecessary pressure. Let the concrete saw do its work. Just guide and reinforce it.
- Do not operate a concrete saw alone. Always have someone with you. In case of accidents, you have someone to help or call for help.
- SAFETY FIRST.
Cutting concrete floors is a job that is best left to the professionals. Although you can do it yourself, using the services of professional cutters can be more efficient and can save you a lot of time and money.
Cutting concrete is hard work, it is not as easy as you may think. Aside from putting yourself in harm’s way, you may jeopardise the whole project by causing more damage on your concrete floors.
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.