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Concrete cutting and coring are common tasks in construction, renovation, and utility installation, both large and small scales. These highly essential processes effectively shape and alter the concrete, making way for a stronger and more functional infrastructure. 

Cutting and coring concrete require specialized tools and techniques to ensure the precision and safety of both concrete technicians and clients. That’s why it’s mandatory to leave it to reliable concrete experts in your area.

This article will help you understand the whole idea of concrete cutting and coring, how important it is to hire concrete experts, and where you can look for trusted service providers.

What is concrete cutting?

Concrete cutting is a critical part of construction and demolition projects, which enables you to shape concrete structures depending on your needs. It’s typically done for creating openings for doors, egress windows, or pipes, or for removing old concrete surfaces using specialized techniques and equipment. 

concrete cutting and coringSawing concrete with diamond blade saws is the most common method for concrete cutting. These powerful concrete cutting saws use a diamond-tipped blade to cut through the tough surface of your concrete. It’s an essentially recommended concrete-cutting tool for large floors, bridge decks, and pavements. 

Diamond-blade saws for cutting concrete come in two formats: dry-cut and wet-cut blades. Dry-cut, as the name suggests, doesn’t use any form of water and produces more heat and dust. Wet-cut concrete blades are entirely the opposite and use water to cool blades and reduce dust. Ideal for cutting thick concrete slabs.

Different processes of concrete sawing

  1. Flat sawing. This is ideal for flat surfaces like floors and pavements that require smooth and accurate cuts.
  2. Wall sawing. This is preferred when you need to cut or alter your vertical surfaces, like when you’re opening your wall to make way for new windows. This is an easy way to modify, reinforce, or remove walls.
  3. Wire sawing. This is highly recommended for cutting complex structures that can’t be done with traditional methods. The tool used for wire sawing is generally diamond-impregnated wires with pulleys and high tensional strength, ideal for large and irregular concrete.

Types of Concrete Saws

  • Handheld Saw: Ideal for smaller cuts and limited space.
  • Walk-behind Saw: Used for larger, longer cuts, typically on floors or walls.
  • Wall Saw: A specialized saw that allows for precise vertical cutting (commonly used on walls).

diamond blade sawBefore deciding to cut concrete, ensure that you and your contractor have a detailed plan and accurate measurements. Markings can help before cutting your concrete right on. This is to make sure your concrete cuts are precise and in alignment with your needs. 

Your contractor’s attention to detail is indispensable to prevent any delays or damages that may cause cost pile-up. Cutting concrete with a comprehensive plan considers the presence of rebars or any other embedded materials and wires within your concrete.

Hiring a concrete cutting and coring contractor in London with the skills and experience is crucial. Sawing concrete through your marked lines requires utmost precision and steady pressure, and it can only be done efficiently when you have reliable experts by your side. 

Looking for concrete cutting near me? Power Foundations in London has years of experience in the cutting and coring concrete business. They have uncompromising safety standards and expert tool selection to provide high-quality results to their roster of clients in Southwestern Ontario. 

Feel free to request a quote here.

What is concrete coring?

A highly specialized method in construction, concrete coring involves creating circular holes through concrete for pipes, ventilation ducts, or utility lines. It’s typically done using a diamond core drill, which can produce precise, smooth holes without damaging the surrounding structure.

concrete coring

Similar to sawing concrete, coring concrete also has two types: dry drilling and wet drilling. Your contractors use them entirely for different purposes, depending on the hole diameter and the type of material being drilled. You can use dry drilling if your project is small and has a softer surface. Dry core drilling does not require water and is way more convenient for fast and small-scale projects.

On the other hand, wet core drilling is for large-scale construction that has huge diameters and harder surface materials like granite, stone, and reinforced concrete. Water is critical to this core drilling process as it serves as a coolant, suppresses dust, and reduces wear and tear on the core drill.

Types of Core Drills

  • Handheld Core Drills: These are used for smaller holes and are operated by hand, suitable for less deep and lighter drilling jobs.
  • Stationary Core Drills: These are mounted to the surface and can drill deep, larger-diameter holes. They are often used for drilling deeper holes or in tough concrete.
  • Wet Core Drilling: A water-cooled diamond core bit is used to drill into concrete, reducing heat and preventing dust. The water also helps prolong the life of the bit.

Your concrete core drilling success and effectiveness rely heavily on your chosen core bits. Due to their exceptional strength and hardness, diamond core bits are the most commonly used to cut through tight materials and surfaces. 

  • Diamond Core Bits: These are the most common and efficient type for drilling into concrete. They are coated with industrial diamonds and can drill clean, smooth holes. Core bits come in different sizes, depending on the required hole diameter.

concrete hole cuttingThe process of coring concrete starts by securing your drill in place and then creating a pilot hole at a very low speed. To reach the desired depth, the operator will increase the speed gradually to ensure a smooth and precise cut.

Safety is of supreme importance in core drilling. Because of the range of powerful and specialized equipment required for this job, there are tons of potential hazards involved. When doing concrete coring in London, your contractors must have proper ventilation and applicable dust control measures to protect their health and safety. 

Why you need to hire an experienced contractor for concrete cutting and coring in London

Various benefits come with choosing the right concrete cutting and coring contractor for your project.

  • Expert tool selection. Reliable contractors have invested massive resources and a series of training to acquire the best tools possible for cutting and coring concrete.
  • High-quality workmanship. Concrete contractors like Power Foundations are backed with decades of experience, certifications, and skills in the cutting and coring business.
  • Professional planning and executions. With their technical expertise, reliable contractors have meticulous project management processes that offer peace of mind and a sense of security to clients.
  • Saves time and money. Getting the right concrete contractor in London not only provides peace of mind but also saves you from delays and other potential unforeseen costs in damages.
  • Adheres to industry standards. Not only are they well-informed about the local building codes, but they also meticulously adhere to top-notch industry standards. You ensure that your project complies with relevant guidelines, which might save you from any legal and safety issues.

power foundations in london ontarioWhat you need to look for in a concrete cutting and coring contractor in London

Your concrete project deserves the utmost care and attention. Choosing the right contractor is very critical as it would greatly influence the results of your construction. 

The best approach when looking for a concrete contractor is to ask your peers for credible recommendations. Next, browse Google for ‘concrete companies near me’ and dig deep into their respective testimonials. Additionally, you can rely on other reputable listing websites in Ontario, such as Better Business Bureau, Yellow Pages, and Yelp.

Here are some of the things you need to look for in a concrete contractor. 

  • Certifications and licenses
  • Credible client testimonials and case studies
  • Proven track record and years of experience
  • Transparent quotes
  • Insurance and/or warranties
  • Has strict safety protocols
  • Provides the necessary tools and equipment
  • Consistent communication and professionalism

Partner with Power Foundations for your concrete cutting and coring project

At Power Foundations, we understand the importance of safety and precision in these types of concrete jobs. That’s why we employ the highest standards possible for our clients. We take pride in our combined decades of experience in the industry, alongside our commitment to delivering clean, efficient, and high-quality results. In addition, our cutting and coring methods offer low disruptions to your property and ensure utmost client satisfaction.

If you’re looking for a reliable and skilled contractor for your concrete cutting and core drilling project, you can certainly trust Power Foundations. Our professional team is quick to provide you with expert advice and customized solutions to fit your needs, while providing the best value for your investment. 

Feel free to contact Power Foundations for a free quote and consultation.

We’re excited to work with you on your next project!