How to Cut a Cement Basement Wall

Place plastic sheeting or a tarp on the floor in front of the wall you will be cutting. The sheeting will help prevent dust from accumulating on the floor.

Draw cutting lines with a marker on the wall. These lines will help guide you as you cut through the wall and help prevent you from cutting in the wrong area.

Install a masonry saw blade into a circular saw. You can also use a diamond-tipped saw blade, but these are very expensive.

Hit the middle of the first cement block to be cut with a 5-lb. hammer. The hole will allow the saw blade to enter the cutting area easier and will also help push dust to the outside of the wall while you cut the inner portion.

Cut along the lines you marked with the circular saw. Once you cut both the top and bottom of the block, use a masonry chisel to help chip away any cement residue. Tap the end of the chisel with a standard carpenter's hammer placed against the cement edges.

Pry the edges of the block out from the wall with the chisel. Cut out any other cement blocks using the same techniques as in the steps above. Replace the blocks with new blocks when you are finished.