Tips For Cutting Straight Lines In Concrete
Concrete sawing is a painstaking process. The slightest mistake can ruin the entire slab of concrete, and it’s hard to get cuts out of concrete once they are there.
Cutting concrete isn’t always as easy as it seems. There are many different types of saws on the market, but not all of them can handle concrete effectively. If you don’t use the right tools, you’ll end up wasting time and money while damaging your project in the process!
If you want to learn more about how to cut concrete in straight lines, then you have come to the right place. Please continue reading below for some great tips to help you cut straight lines in concrete so that the end result looks clean, tidy and professional!
1). Why Measuring And Marking Where You Want To Cut Is Important
If you don’t measure and mark out the area where you are wanting it cut, you increase the chances of making mistakes when cutting. This could lead to costly repairs or complications as the job progresses.
It is also also important to make sure there is enough space around the cutting area and that there will be no obstacles in your way or potential any hazards. This will also ensure that your straight lines aren’t interrupted when cutting.
2). Use A Straight Edge Or Ruler To Draw A Line
There are many different tools that can be used to mark straight lines on concrete; however, using a straight edge is one of the most common methods. Creating a straight line on the concrete with a straight edge will help you to produce clean, neat cuts.
You can do this by scratching or drawing a chalk or marker line on your desired cut point. You can also peg a piece of string along the surface and use your chalk or marker to create a line for you to follow.
Once you have drawn your line, place the blade of your unstarted concrete saw on top of the line you have drawn. From there, slowly push the blade through to make sure that it is lined up properly before starting back and forth motions to ensure you have the blade set on the line.
3). Be Sure To Wear PPE Before Starting
If you haven’t done so already up to this point, make sure that you are wearing the appropriate protective gear such as safety glasses or goggles, ear plugs, gloves and face mask or respirator. These items will help protect you from dust and other hazardous materials flying through the air.
Dust from concrete sawing, in particular, is a big problem. Dust particles from concrete are finer and less solid than other types of dust like wood or metal and pose a considerable health risk. Repeated inhalation of concrete dust over a prolonged period of time can lead to silicosis, a potentially deadly condition.
If you’re concerned about breathing in concrete dust, try wearing the appropriate mask or respirator to block out some of its effect on your throat and lungs. Steel capped boots should also be worn as they offer extra protection for your toes and feet.
4). Begin Cutting Along The Line
Once you are confident that the sawing machine is lined up correctly, make sure that your blade guard and tool rest are set up properly before you start. From there, turn the machine on. Once you have made the initial cut and have the concrete cutting machine set on the line, you need to make sure you grip the handle firmly.
The most important thing to remember is to not push the concrete cutting machine too hard, let the blade do all the work. Not only will this produce a neater, cleaner cut, it will also prevent the blade from overheating.
Further to this, it’s also important to make sure that you use a well-maintained diamond saw blade. This will not only make it easier to cut with and give better results, but it is also a lot safer.
5). Clean Up Loose Debris Created From The Cutting Process
Loose debris from concrete cutting poses potential dangers both indoors and outside. There are many precautions to be made when cutting concrete as we have discussed above however, there are also a few things that need to be done once the sawing is complete.
One is ensuring the loose debris has been cleaned up afterwards in order to prevent any injury or damage, such as tripping on a piece of rubble or slipping on water if wet sawing.
Secondly, it is important to get rid of the dust produced by concrete cutting. Pieces of dust can settle in the vicinity of the cut and cause an unsafe environment, especially if you’re working on someone else’s property such as someone’s driveway or on public footpaths.
As mentioned earlier, concrete dust can lead to serious respiratory issues like silicosis and asthma from allergies caused by irritating substances found within these particles – so be sure to clean them up.
This can be done by sweeping up the dust with a brush and shovel, or hosing the area down with water.
Final Thoughts
The key to creating straight lines in concrete is patience and the right tools or techniques. We’ve provided you with some tips on how to get started, such as preparing your materials ahead of time, choosing an appropriate blade type and being patient with the concrete cutting machine. The rest is now up to you!
If you are looking for a concrete cutting company 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.
