Saw cuts are a used to create control joints in concrete, which help control where cracking occurs due to shrinkage. The cuts should be made at a predetermined spacing and only after the concrete has obtained sufficient strength but before internal cracking begins. Therefore, the timing of saw cuts is critical. Determining when to make cuts depends on many factors, including the type of admixtures and aggregate used in the concrete, the air temperature, and the concrete’s mix design.

Finding A Concrete Cutting Saw That Best Fit Your Project

There are many different types and sizes of concrete cutting saws available out there. Buying any saw randomly can not only cause significant damage to the material to be cut but also lead to a potential safety hazard at the jobsite. No matter if you are going to buy a brand new saw or rent a used one, consider there are mainly four types of concrete cutting saws as listed below.

• Diamond Saws:

Also known as diamond drills and diamond blades, these concrete cutting saws ensure best quality cutting in minimal time. These saws can make cleanest and most precise cuts in any concrete structure. Diamond blades are commonly used by pros in decorative concrete projects.

• Wet Saws:

While using this concrete saw, water is constantly pumped to the cutting edge of the equipment to ensure accurate cutting in hassle-free manner. As water is supplied to the tip of the blade, the dust produced during cutting cycle will immediately get dampen and thus the work environment remains mostly dust-free.

• Walk-behind Saws:

If it is a large-scale concrete cutting project, for example entire slab or wall needs to be cut and cleared, these heavy duty saws makes a perfect fit. They can help you accomplish the project in timely manner.

• Handheld Saws:

They are more often used to give professional finish to pre-cut structures. They are also used to clean corners or make sharp cuts in heavily reinforced concrete or rebar. As the name suggests, these saws are very compact in size so can be used in projects witnessing space restriction at the work site.

Selecting a right saw will not you make you succeed in the project but will let you efficiently cut many other materials by simply changing the cutting head or cutting blade.

When to Saw-Cut Concrete

In addition to the concrete mix and the weather conditions, determining when to saw concrete is based on the concrete’s hardness as well as the type of cutting equipment used to make the saw cuts. Cutting too early causes raveling, an effect created by the saw blade pulling the aggregate out of position, leaving a messy, weakened edge along the cut. This also causes undo wear on diamond concrete saw blades. Sawing too late can result in uncontrolled cracking as the concrete contracts during curing.

Where to Saw-Cut Concrete

Before you start saw cutting concrete, is important to select where these cuts will be done. It is recommended to start saw cuts on or at the center of column lines. Joints shall be spaced at 24 to 36 times the slab thickness but this need to be confirmed by a structural engineer. Joint spacing normally ranges between 10 to 18 feet depending on the amount of reinforcement the slab has. If you are using high shrinkage concrete, you might want to decrease the cut spacing.

Your best call is to hire the experts whenever a project involving demolition, disinfection services, remediation or concrete saw cutting. We are ECG, We are safety first.

This field definitely needs some expert hands and skill. So, have you decided on what type of project you need? Make sure you research on this for a while before coming up with a decision.

We pride ourselves in providing Demolition, abatement and Environmental Services you can depend on. (Concrete cutting, coring, green demolition, disinfection and sterilization cleaning services, asbestos abatement and more)

Contact us to get started on your next project, Call us: 562-438-7999.