Understanding the Different Types of Concrete Cuts
During construction, building utilities like water pipes and electricity cables are fitted within walls, pillars and beams. Not only does this maximise the safety of the installations but also enhances the aesthetics of the building's walls and ceilings. At least, you won't have to deal with a network of pipes running over your neatly done walls. Unfortunately, the hard part comes when the installations have a problem and you have to find a way through the walls to carry out the repairs. Thankfully, your concrete surfaces can be cut in different ways for ease of penetration. If you need to do some work underneath concrete surfaces, here are different types of concrete cuts that can be performed:
Flat Sawing
Flat sawing is used when dealing with the horizontal surfaces such as asphalt parking spaces, paver patios, concrete sidewalks and house floors. If the plumbing or electric cables lie under a floor or flat concrete surface, then flat sawing will enable the perfect penetration. The concrete can be sliced into different sizes and removed to provide the space required to carry out the repairs.
Wall Sawing
If the penetration has to be made on a wall, then wall sawing is best suited for the task. Here, circular blades are mounted on a machine that moves back and forth on the concrete wall, making the desired cut. Unlike in flat sawing, the blades are not fitted to a walk-behind machine.
Core Drilling
Core drilling is used to make circular walls at specific points in the concrete. If you want to work on specific plumbing or electrical plumbing joints, then core drilling is ideal. Core drilling can be done on both walls and floors. Here, you have to map out the specific area that you want to work on, given the nature of the limited space provided by the hole drilled into the concrete surface. Therefore, it is important to have the concrete surface scanned using x-ray radiation or ground penetrating radar scanning. These are techniques used to scan concrete and determine the exact location of fittings installed under the concrete surface.
Hand Sawing
In some areas, it will be difficult to create penetrations into the concrete especially with the large machines used in flat sawing or wall sawing. Hand sawing is used in areas that require a lot of portability. The blades are mounted on portable, hand-held machines powered by electricity or fuel. The handsaws can be used on concrete walls or floors.