Concrete Breaking, Cutting and Resurfacing Considerations

Concrete is a strong material when it comes to compression, but not so much when considering shear strength. Concrete can be a tricky material, especially when you need to remove or resurface it. Working with concrete can be tedious and it is imperative that you have to correct tools. There are several things to consider whether you are breaking, cutting or resurfacing concrete.

Breaking - There are many ways to break concrete using brute strength. Depending on the size and/or thickness of your slab, different approaches should be used. On smaller slabs you can use a sledgehammer and chisel. When coupled with a good chisel, a sledge can break off large chunks of concrete. For thicker slabs you may need to use a jackhammer. Jackhammers are large pieces of equipment so make sure you have the ability to operate it. With larger pieces of concrete it is a good idea to drill holes through the slab before attempting to chisel or jackhammer.

Cutting - Cutting concrete helps to ensure you retain a certain shape. Cutting is a difficult process and requires a concrete saw. There are handheld concrete saws and large rentable concrete saws that look like a gigantic circular saw. Cutting is very tricky and you must keep the blade wet at all times, as blades can get so hot chewing through concrete that they can easily snap and break. Just like with breaking concrete, drilling holes through the slab can dramatically help the process.

Resurfacing - Concrete resurfacing is a great way to make your concrete look brand new at a fraction of what it would cost to pour new concrete. Resurfacing is fairly simple. All you need is some cement, a coarse sand mixture, and a little water. After you mix all these together spread a 1/4" to 1/2" layer across your surface. If your resurfacing layer is thicker than 1", you may need to add a little gravel to the mix. Let your spread dry level and your project is complete.

Concrete cutting, breaking and resurfacing are jobs that many of us do not have the time for or the knowledge. If you encounter a project that is in need of concrete breaking, cutting or resurfacing do not hesitate to contact a professional in your area.