Concrete cutting is a serious undertaking. Unless you have some experience, you’ll find it difficult to execute properly. A simple trip to your local hardware store can get you the tools to accomplish this. However, some expertise is always necessary to ensure that the job is done well. For example, you can always hire these concrete cutting Melbourne professionals to do the job, ensuring that you don’t make costly mistakes.
A common mistake among many homeowners and building managers is that they want to undertake such tasks themselves. A big part of such action is the notion that cutting concrete is easy. For example, many people assume that it’s simply a matter of grabbing the nearest electric saw and slicing through concrete. However, there are usually crucial factors to consider. For example, using a circular saw with a corundum blade is ideal for concrete cutting. Someone unfamiliar with this fact may opt for a regular chain saw, leading to badly fragmented concrete. As such, it’s always advisable to hire professionals to do the job. Should you choose to undertake the task yourself, it’s important to ensure that you have the expertise and appropriate tools for the job.
Follow these steps to ensure straight cuts through concrete.
1)Measure and Mark Where You Want to Cut
Even though the diamond blades and other such tools used for cutting concrete are manufactured with accuracy in mind, cutting past the intended mark is always an issue. This is especially true if you don’t have much experience handling concrete-cutting saws. Therefore, you need to mark the exact lines along which you’ll cut the concrete before attempting to do it. When demarcating the lines along which to cut, ensure to account for a reasonable working area. For instance, if the piece of the concrete slab to be cut is very close to a wall, ensure to mark the lines in such a way that it leaves you enough room to maneuver the blade as you cut through. The last thing you want is for your straight lines to be interrupted with irregular patterns of cutting due to obstacles impeding your movements.
2) Use a Straight Edge Object When Drawing the Lines
To ensure clean cuts, it’s necessary to use a straight edge object when drawing lines on the concrete surface before cutting. For example, many people are tempted to use screeds—straight, stiff tubing rods for leveling wet concrete—when attempting to draw straight lines on concrete before cutting. However, this is not ideal because it won’t produce the kind of sharp lines needed to ensure well-cut concrete edges.
A simple technique for drawing straight lines on concrete without using complicated measurement equipment is to mark the two points through which the cut will go. Use scratches or a marker to properly delineate this point. Tie a string that will connect the two points. Ensure that the string is taut. This will naturally create a straight line between the two marked points. Use a marker to draw the straight line delineated by the taut string.
3) Ensure to Have Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It goes without saying that you should always have the right gear when attempting to cut concrete. While seemingly a harmless task, accidents have been known to occur when the right protective gear is not worn. Always ensure to have the right equipment like safety goggles, thick work gloves, work helmets, appropriate earplugs, face shields, and such. Dust is particularly harmful. Cutting concrete inevitably leads to the discharge of tiny particles. These can cause long-term health problems when inhaled. Silicosis is one of the numerous medical conditions that can result from prolonged inhalation of concrete dust.
4) Begin Cutting Along the Drawn Lines
Ensure that your blade guard is set properly. Before starting, ensure that you’re confident enough to follow the drawn lines. Clear any obstacles. Start cutting along the line while pushing the blade in gently. As you progress, you can apply more pressure. A little finesse is in order. Pushing the blade in overzealously can ruin the edges. A well-maintained diamond blade goes a long way toward ensuring crisp edges of cut concrete. Another reason to avoid pushing the blade too hard is to avoid overheating, which can result in slightly serrated edges of the cut concrete.
After finishing the cutting, ensure to clean up any debris. Concrete shards can cause injury if someone inadvertently steps on them. Ensure to clear the area. Of course, you must have worn work boots or such footwear as part of your personal protective equipment.
