Methods of Cutting Concrete for a Home Project Without Jackhammers
When a project around your house will involve cutting concrete, you'll need to decide on the best choice of cutting tool. Jackhammers are commonly used but these have many disadvantages. They cause excessive vibration which can actually damage your home's foundation and even nearby wildlife, and this vibration along with their weight makes them very cumbersome to use. If you've never handled a jackhammer you may find that it's nearly impossible to control.
A jackhammer also doesn't offer much precision when it comes to cutting. You may try to follow a line in the concrete with a jackhammer but it will simply break up the concrete, not cut it cleanly. Note a few other choices you have for cutting concrete if you know that a jackhammer will not work for you, for any of these reasons.
1. Concrete saws
A concrete saw is not like a standard band saw or handsaw, as it usually has a special diamond-tipped blade that makes it easier to cut through concrete. A concrete saw is a good choice for when you need a smooth, even line cut in the concrete or for when you want to avoid the noise and the mess created by a jackhammer.
Note that concrete saw comes in a wide variety of sizes so you can usually find one to fit your needs. Some saws are very large and are encased in a housing the same size as a lawnmower, so you can use it along a driveway and get a very large cut in a short time. Others are smaller and meant to be held in one hand, so you can use them along an interior wall or floor.
2. Core drills
As with cutting all circular patterns, a saw is not usually a good choice when you need a precise hole in your concrete. This is where a core drills can be the better choice. This is a drill with a special bit that is shaped like a tube, and which is usually diamond-tipped for cutting through concrete. A core drill can be very small if you're simply running conduit through a concrete wall, or it can be large enough to cut the hole needed for plumbing pipes and other major components. When you need a rounded, precise cut, a core drill is the best option.
Note that a jackhammer can still be used if you need a large section of concrete cut and can withstand the noise and vibrations, but for more precise cutting, these other options may be the better choice. Also, when in doubt, don't be afraid to contact a professional, such as Kwik-Cut Concrete Drilling & Sawing.