Accelerated Concrete Cutting

Prepare yourself. Make sure your hands are steady. Always wear protective masks, since this project creates a great deal of dust, and the dust contains chemicals that can damage your lungs.

Ask whether there is rebar or other reinforcement in the concrete. This is not a problem, since the blade used to cut concrete makes short work out of metal bars. However, it is better to ask and be prepared than be surprised later.

Inspect your blades. Diamond blades wear out quickly. Using worn blades can harm the work, making it go slower. If you are using precision tools to get around power lines or plumbing, use a new blade, because you don't want to hit a power line under concrete.

Determine whether you need to use wet cutting. In general, concrete cutting using water will cut down on dust creation, and it is normally used for deeper jobs. Shallower jobs can use dry cutting, which goes a bit faster. For medium jobs, use wet cutting, because it is a safer option and permits you to use less restrictive protective gear. Always use a face shield in addition to the protective mask.

Set up your tracks. For many jobs, you will bolt aluminum tracks to the wall or floor to keep the saw steady. This is particularly important for precision jobs. Measure out the proper track for the saw, pointing out any dangerous areas such as power lines or plumbing.

Cut a very shallow first pass, no more than 1/4 inch. This gives you an idea of how difficult the cutting project will be. In general, the older the concrete, the harder it will be.

Cut each additional pass at about 1/2 inch. This is the traditional pass depth even for deep jobs. It will take longer, but it is the safest and most professional way to proceed. This permits you to make any adjustments to your technique as you cut deeper into the concrete.