The best way to apply the home plumbing is during construction and this is most often the case. Sometimes, future plans and projects call for the installment of new facilities that require plumbing connections. In this case, the concrete flooring may need to be cut open.

Following is a brief overview of this intermediate project and some of the particulars involved.

Before beginning

Before you begin ay cutting work, you will want to get the mechanical prints of the home to get an idea of the existing plumbing below the building. Typically the drain pipes will run below the building through the layer of dirt or sand below. If your home is equipped with radiant in floor heating, you will destroy the entire system by cutting through. There could also be conduit or electrical cables below the concrete, so always begin with a plan that includes a detailed view of what lies beneath your concrete. If you can’t get your hands on any plans from the previous owners, look in the archives of your local housing authority who keep record of all such plans.

Tools and Supplies for saw cutters

Most concrete foundations are about 4 inches thick, but a regular concrete side path may only be a 2 inches. There may also be steel reinforcements like rebar and mesh. While there may be circular saws, concrete blades and jackhammers that will work for other projects for mighty powerful precision work, rent a walk-behind wet saw with a quality diamond blade. You will also want to wear suitable protective gear like a respirator mask and eye wear. You will also need some tools to address the concrete once cut. A small sledge hammer and shovel with a narrow blade will do just fine. One the concrete has been removed you may or may not have some digging to do depending on the task at hand. You will also need a chalk reel and measuring tape for precision benchmarks.

Marking the Cut

The cut should be made to the exact specifications of the objective. If you are laying down new pipes in a basement, you will want to determine exactly where the piping will begin and where it ends. Straight lines are the best option as these reduce the risk of clogs and backed up sewers. Then mark a chalk line on either side of this straight line to give yourself a 12-inch wide area of operations, which is suitable for your average draining pipes.

Cut the Concrete

Once the marks have been set, fit the diamond blade on the wet saw at a depth of 4 ½ inches for a basement foundation and lower according to the thickness of the concrete. Prepare for slow and noisy work, but you will not want to rush the project. The more steel reinforcement the longer the task can take. Once the concrete has been cut completely break the concrete into smaller more manageable chunks with a sledgehammer and removed. Then the soil below can be manipulated as desired to make room for new plumbing.

Article contributed by: Concrete Cutting Sydney