How to Cut a Concrete Walkway

Lay out the location of the control joint cuts on the walkway. Use the tape measure to mark the location of each cut. Place a mark with the pencil on each side of the walkway for each cut. You want to space the control joints evenly along the walkway. The general rule is to multiply the slab thickness by 2 or 3 to determine the number of feet between the joints. For example, you would place the control joints 8 to 12 feet apart for a 4-inch slab.

Place the chalk line on one of the marks designating the control joint location. Pull the string of the chalk line across the walkway to the corresponding mark on the other side. Snap the chalk line to mark the location of the cut. Repeat this to mark the location of all the cuts in the walkway.

Put a diamond concrete-cutting blade into a circular saw. The blade is held in place with a bolt. Use a wrench to turn the bolt clockwise to securely hold the blade in place.

Put safety glasses on. You must wear eye protection at all times when cutting concrete.

Wet down the area with the hose. You want to keep the concrete wet to reduce the friction on the diamond blade. Cut along the lines you laid out with the saw. The cut for the control joint must be at least 25 percent of the thickness of the concrete slab. For example, a 4-inch slab is cut at least 1 inch deep. Cut in a straight line.