What’s The Quickest Way To Cut Concrete?
Are you searching for the quickest way to cut concrete? How much experience do you have in cutting concrete? Do you know about the tools used by professionals for concrete cutting? If you need to cut concrete and you are focused on the speed of cutting, it would be wise to leave it to the professionals. Concrete cutting is a professional task and the focus should always be on doing it right instead of doing it fast.
One of the ways for you to cut concrete is doing it manually using a hammer and chisel. However, this will take forever and won’t end up with the best results. If you can afford to buy or rent tools, try using a concrete saw. These are available in various sizes but what is much more important is the type of blade you use with the saw.
Types of Concrete Cutting Blades
There are two main types of blades used for concrete cutting. One of the types is the abrasive corundum masonry blades. These blades are cheap and capable of cutting through concrete, stucco and asphalt. These blades are affordable but not as fast as the other options. These are good for shallow cutting and don’t last long. For instance, a 7-inch blade will require adjustment to the concrete saw depth once you have cut just a metre or so of concrete. These blades are a good option for making a small number of shallow cuts.
The most common type of blade used for concrete cutting is a diamond blade. These blades have an edge made of a metal diamond composite. Once you start cutting the concrete, the metal starts wearing away revealing a fresh cutting-edge made of diamonds. Diamond blades are expensive. These blades cut through concrete quickly but only make financial sense if you need to cut a lot of concrete.
Steps to Cut Concrete
If you plan to cut concrete on your own, it is recommended to do it only if the cut depth is 6 inches or lower. If the concrete cutting depth is more than 6 inches, it is better left to professionals. Having said that, here are a few tips to follow to cut concrete efficiently:
1. First and foremost, you will need to choose the right tools for the job. If you want to make deeper cuts, you will need a bigger concrete saw with a bigger diamond blade.
2. Once you have chosen the right tools, begin preparing the worksite. Make sure it is clean and free of any dust or debris.
3. Use a chalk line to mark the line where you need to cut. The line needs to be thick to ensure that it does not disappear when you drip water over it.
4. Wear personal safety equipment. Ideally, you should be wearing steel-toed boots, knee pads, shin guards, heavy clothes and protection for your eyes and face. Don’t forget to use a mask to avoid getting concrete dust into your lungs.
5. Check the hose to make sure that water is available. Place the guide board at one end of the line and start cutting along the marked line. Keep in mind that you need to let the saw do the job. Do not push it too hard. It is not going to cut concrete any faster. In fact, pushing it harder will damage the blade.
6. The cuts need to be made intermittently. If you need to make deeper cuts, you’re not going to do it at one go.
7. Once the cut has been made as intended, make sure to clear the area of any debris. Also, keep the blade running for a minute or two to shake off the dust and debris still sticking to the saw blade.
Final Thoughts
Concrete cutting might seem easy once you watch a few videos but it really is a professional’s job. You need the right tools and training to use those tools to make accurate cuts. If you use the tools without proper training, you will most likely have to spend a lot more money on fixing your mistakes.
On top of that, there are also safety concerns as concrete saws are very dangerous pieces of equipment. This is why you should only do it on your own when you need to make small shallow cuts, or you can seriously run the risk of personal injury. Professionals have the necessary tools, experience and training to do the job right the first time and hiring professionals will save you time and money in the long run.
If you are looking for a concrete cutting company in Sydney that is trustworthy and reliable, then don’t go past Sydney Sawing & Drilling. Please call us today on (02) 9158 6101 or leave an enquiry.
