Concrete Cutting: 10 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Cutting concrete can be a messy and challenging process. And if you don't know what you're doing, it can cost you money.


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Cutting concrete can be a messy and challenging process. And if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can cost you money. However, if you are a skilled cutter,  online photo printing offers a great way to show your work off by framing your photos of your concrete cutting projects. In this blog post, we’ll look at ten common mistakes that people make when they’re cutting concrete and offer solutions so that you can avoid them.

 Cutting Too Deep

One mistake beginners often make is that they cut too deep into the wall or floor – meaning they saw through more than necessary before reaching the desired depth. The only way around this is to use “depth stops” such as wood dowels or metal divots in corners of structures under construction.

Cutting With A Dull Saw

Many beginners don’t adequately sharpen their saw before cutting concrete. Properly sharpening your blade before cutting will allow you to cut through concrete with less effort and force. The only way around this is to get a professional sharpener for your saw or a drill sharpener/grinder for your drill rather than using the standard one found in the toolbox at home.

Using The Incorrect Blade For The Job

Like any other tool in your arsenal of tools used for construction work, each saw blade has its specific use. If you use an Armor-Torx blade on non-armored cement and vice versa, you could end up ruining your saw and wasting time and money. Make sure to check the blade for its intended use based on the manufacturer’s specifications before attempting any concrete cutting work.

Not Using Safety Goggles/Gloves

Any professional cutter will tell you that safety gear is vital when cutting concrete, especially if it’s raining outside. Safety glasses are the most important thing you can use for this purpose because they will protect your eyes from flying debris. They are designed with cushions that are meant to protect your eyes during impact. Gloves are also an important addition to wear when cutting concrete, especially with a saw. You don’t want your hands to get cut up from the blade accidentally hitting them.

Sawing Too Aggressively

Another common mistake is sawing too aggressively with your blade. As you saw through the slab, you will naturally want to keep pressure on the blade to remove all of the debris and dust that falls back into the line of your cut. However, if you’re sawing at a fast pace, be sure to pull back slightly on the handle whenever it gets too close to prevent breakage. You can also switch the saw’s angle of attack slightly to get a cleaner cut.

Cutting On A Wet Slab

The problem with cutting a wet slab is that you’ll want to remove all of the water from the slab before proceeding, but it is difficult to do so when you can’t see what you’re doing. If it’s raining outside, make sure to put down drop cloths or cardboard before cutting any concrete. Additionally, If your mixture is too wet, it will be challenging to get a good finish because the water will soften the bond between each particle on contact.

Not Checking For Weakened Concrete

One common mistake inexperienced contractors make is that they don’t check for weakened concrete before cutting through it. This is what leads to cracked slabs, broken studs, and wall framing that leans out. If you’re about to cut into a concrete floor or wall, be sure to use a hammer drill and look for weakened areas such as cracks, discolored patches of concrete, etc.

Using Cheap Concrete Saws

Finally, one of the most common mistakes people make when cutting concrete is using cheap concrete saws. Sometimes it’s because they don’t have enough money to afford a high-quality blade. But more often than not, it’s because they want to save money. Unfortunately, if you are doing this type of work professionally, you have to invest in quality tools that will save you time and energy in the long run.

Not Cleaning out Your Cutters

Many people make the mistake of not completely cleaning out their saws after every cut. If you don’t, you could wind up damaging your sharpener or blade by putting it in contact with concrete dust and debris after each cut. So after every concrete cutting job, run your saw through the cabinet or bucket of water to remove debris and dust before storing it.


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