If you are in the middle of a project that requires that you remove a section of a concrete slab, you may have decided to use a saw so that you can carefully and precisely remove the pieces. However, before you start cutting, make sure that you follow these tips to get better results as well as avoid damage to your equipment and property.

1.  Keep the Concrete Wet While Cutting

One mistake that you should avoid while cutting into the concrete slab is neglecting to keep the area wet. Once you have your power saw in hand, you may believe that the material is like wood and that you can simply start cutting right away. However, concrete is much harder than wood, and the saw blade will not move as easily through it. There will be a lot of friction between the stone and the blade, causing the blade to get hung up and possibly damaged as well as creating a large number of sparks. 

By keeping the concrete wet, the friction is reduced, and the blade runs through the concrete much smoother. You can either spray down the area with water or obtain a special wet blade that feeds water to the area directly. This type of blade can be found at most hardware stores.

2.  Use the Right Type of Blade in Your Saw

Speaking of blades, another mistake that you should avoid is using the wrong type. Concrete is an extremely unforgiving material through which to cut. If you use a regular blade with metal teeth, you will find that you have to replace the blade regularly. You may even damage the saw itself.

When using your saw to cut into concrete, the ideal blade has a diamond edge along the edges of the teeth. Since diamonds are harder than the concrete, they can more easily slice through the material without wearing down as quickly as metal.

Even if you follow the tips above, attempting to cut through a concrete slab on your own may not yield the results you want, especially if you have never performed the task before. Instead of trying to work with the concrete yourself, contact a contractor who offers concrete cutting services to discuss your upcoming project and learn about your options for having them do the job for you. They should help guide you through this process and give you a good cut.

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