Sometimes concrete has to be cut. A plumber needs a trench across a slab. A driveway needs one bad panel removed. A patio needs a clean edge before new concrete is poured. Breaking concrete with a hammer is messy and can crack the part you want to keep. A clean saw cut keeps the good concrete safe.
Waco Concrete handles concrete cutting in Waco TX for homes and small businesses. We are locally owned, we have 8 years in business and we give a free written estimate before the first cut.
When you need concrete cutting
There are many reasons to cut. We cut slabs for new plumbing and drain lines. We cut driveways and sidewalks to replace a single section. We cut doorways and openings in floors and walls. We also cut control joints in new slabs so they crack along neat lines.
Cutting is also the first step in many tear outs. A straight cut at the edge of a section protects the concrete you want to keep.
- Trenches for plumbing and electrical lines
- Removing a section of a driveway or walk
- Cutting openings in floors and slabs
- Control joints in new and old slabs
How we cut concrete cleanly
We mark the cut line with chalk or paint and check it with you. Then we use a saw with a diamond blade and water to keep dust down. The blade makes a narrow, straight cut at the depth we need. For thick slabs, we make more than one pass.
After the cut, we remove the concrete, clean the edge and protect the nearby surface. We look for rebar, wires and pipes first, so we do not cut something we should not.
Safety, utilities and dust
Before cutting, we check for hidden lines. We call Texas811 for outdoor utilities and talk with you about private lines. Inside a garage or a shop, we use water and a vacuum to control dust. We also keep pets and people away from the work.
If the cut is part of a bigger plan, we work with your plumber, electrician or builder. See concrete removal, driveway repair and concrete repair.
Concrete cutting cost, timing and next steps
Price depends on the length of the cut, the depth, the thickness and the access. Short cuts take an hour or two. Large jobs take a day or more. We give you a written estimate after we see the job.
Call us any day from 5 AM to 10 PM or use the contact page.
Concrete Cutting questions answered
Why cut concrete instead of breaking it?
A saw cut gives you a clean, straight line and protects the concrete next to it. When you break concrete with a hammer, cracks can run into the part you want to keep. That can turn a small repair into a large one. A cut also gives the new concrete a neat edge to meet.
Cutting costs a bit more at the start, but it saves money and trouble later. A clean edge makes the patch look better, and it helps the new section bond. We often use saw cuts at the edge of any section we plan to remove. We explain why on your estimate, and show you the line before we cut.
A short call about the job helps us tell you what concrete cutting in Waco TX will take before we come out to look. Tell us how deep the slab is and what you know about the steel, and we will plan the blade and the number of passes.
How deep can you cut a concrete slab?
Most home slabs are four to six inches thick, and our saws can cut through them in one or two passes. Thicker concrete, like heavy floors and structural slabs, may need larger equipment and more time. Steel reinforcement slows the cut but does not stop it.
Before we cut, we check the thickness. We look at an edge, a hole or a past drawing. We also look for steel and pipes. If there is a risk of hitting something, we scan or choose a different method. We tell you how deep we plan to cut and why, so there are no surprises on the day.
We mark every line with you first, so concrete cutting goes exactly where you and your plumber want it. A clear chalk line on the slab, approved by you and your plumber, avoids a wrong cut, and we are glad to mark it together.
Is concrete cutting dusty or loud?
Cutting can be loud, because the saw runs at high speed. We wear hearing protection, and we try to work during hours that suit your neighbors. For dust, we use water on the blade for most cuts. The water turns dust into slurry, which we clean up as we go.
Inside a garage or a shop, we use a vacuum and plastic sheeting to protect your belongings. We also keep doors open for air. If dust is a worry for someone in your family, tell us. We plan the work to keep dust low and clean up well, so you can use the space again right away.
Dust control and noise planning are part of every concrete cutting job, and we are happy to talk through your needs. Please keep pets inside and clear the area of rugs and boxes, since water and fine slurry can reach the nearby floor.
Can you cut a trench in my slab for new plumbing?
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons to cut concrete. We mark the path with your plumber, cut along both sides of the trench and remove the concrete between. After the plumber finishes, we fill the trench with the right base, add steel and pour new concrete to match the slab.
Flat, tight work matters here. A poor patch can leave a crack or a hump in your floor. We use dowels or a bonding method to tie the new concrete to the old, and we finish the surface to blend in. See concrete repair for how we handle patches. Your plumber and we can work together to keep the schedule short.
A clean patch after concrete cutting depends on good steel, a firm base and a careful finish, and we handle all three. We cover doors and vents and use a vacuum when we work indoors, so the dust stays where it belongs during the cutting.
How do you avoid cutting rebar or pipes inside the concrete?
We start by asking you and by looking. Plans, edges, holes and past repairs tell us a lot. Many slabs have steel mesh or rebar, and some have electrical conduit or plumbing. When we are not sure, we use a scanner or cut a small test area first.
We also call Texas811, which marks public lines outside, and we talk with you about private lines like sprinklers and gas. If a cut will hit steel, we plan for it. Cutting rebar is often fine if it is done on purpose, but we do not want surprises. A careful check before the blade touches the concrete protects your home and our crew.
Scanning and test cuts are small steps that make concrete cutting safer, and they can save you from costly repairs. A good cut leaves a straight and square edge, which makes the patch easier to finish and helps it blend with the old slab.
Can concrete cutting be done on a driveway to replace one section?
Yes. That is a smart way to save money. If only one panel of your driveway has failed, we saw cut along the joints, break out that section and pour a new one. We tie the new panel to the old with dowels so it stays level and strong.
It works best when the neighbors of the failed panel are still solid. If many panels are cracked or sunken, a full replacement may be smarter. See driveway repair and concrete driveway replacement. We look at the whole driveway, show you the options and give you a written price for each.
A single panel swap is often the smartest use of concrete cutting, and we will tell you when that makes sense. If you plan to pour a new section after the cut, we can set dowels and forms right away, which saves a second visit. Ask us to mark each cut with you before we start.
Ready for a free estimate? Call (254) 233-1766 any day from 5 AM to 10 PM, or use the estimate form. Waco Concrete is locally owned and gives clear written estimates for slabs, patios and driveways.