Sweep it up or enlist a wet-dry vacuum to suck it all up. Determine if the steps are pre-cast concrete. The reason a diamond blade is … Measure from this line to position the plywood forms for the rear and side. Concrete form tubes make the installation of footings for decks much easier. With just two weeks until turkey day, the latest information could affect your plans. Then raise the rebar up and support it on dobies or balusters that you wire to the rebar. This will allow you to use concrete chisels to cut hand-tooled joints and texturing skins on step faces and surfaces, if desired. But cutting these tubes level can be an awkward process. See which names were most popular this year! Complete this curb appeal project in a weekend with our process for laying out, designing, and building concrete steps. On the subject of safety, take note: All of the protective gear listed below is necessary. Then, build a perimeter, or a wood brace, that is the same height as you want the concrete to be. Go back into the ¼”- to ½”-deep cut and continue doing intermittent cuts that are no longer than 30 to 45 seconds of running the saw. For example, if your total run was 48 inches, here's the math: 48 inches/3 steps = 16 inches per tread. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. If the steps are made of poured concrete, cut lines in the steps with a circular saw equipped with a 7-inch dry-cut diamond blade. While concrete, as a material, is cheaper than stone, it will be more expensive due to the time it takes to install. Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on Some stoops have had to be tackled with a skid steer fitted with a breaker hammer. With an underlying grid of 1/2-inch rebar, poured concrete steps will give you years of low-maintenance service. You only need a quarter-inch cut at this point, but if the saw bites in a bit deeper, that’s fine too. Before we get started, you should follow these tips: Wear all your protective gear. See how you can personalize your home's entrance with holiday front door decorations, including evergreen wreaths, garlands, pinecones, and pops of plaid. To lay new concrete, sweep and clean the old concrete, and saturate the old concrete with water. Then divide the total rise again by this number to get the unit rise. Wet-cutting blades, on the other hand, require water on the blade constantly—which can be achieved with most tools but works most easily when you rent and use the proper “walk-behind” concrete-cutting saw. At the same time, it prepares the line-enclosed area for the subsequent concrete breaking procedure. And if you have your slab delivered by your supplier and the truck cannot reach the delivery space, you might have to pay for a pump truck at an additional cost. Broom the treads to roughen the surface, let the concrete cure, then install the railing. Forming and pouring concrete steps. Following steps are usually followed to make different joints: If you are using a groove for the joint, the joint should be a minimum depth of ¼ thickness of the slab. Choose the type of blade you prefer to work with for the job: dry-cutting diamond or wet-cutting diamond. When repairing or resurfacing concrete steps, make sure the surface doesn’t become too smooth. Tap the sides of the forms and risers with a hammer and jab a 2x4 up and down in the mix to drive air bubbles out. Abrasive blades may lead you to “force” the saw, a dangerous move that could result in losing control of the saw and suffering a potentially life-threatening cut. How To: Cut Concrete Step 1. If using an electric saw as opposed to a gas-powered saw, plug the GFCI-protected extension cord into the power source to eliminate power surges, shocks, and overloads, as well as any dangers that come with using a power tool near water. Excavate the footings to the depth codes require, pour the concrete, and insert 12-inch lengths of rebar 7 to 8 inches into the footings. They're essential to holidays and casual gatherings. Without water, you’ll just have a bit more dust and need to run the saw in the open air between cuts to let it cool off. Using a framing square to make sure the forms are perpendicular to the foundation of the house, set the forms in place, and drive supporting stakes alongside them. Lay a 2x6 on the risers and fasten it to the stake and to cleats attached to the risers. If you're going to cover the steps with brick, tile, or stone, leave the edges square. Cutting hollow concrete block—first, score the line. Next, divide the total run (to the outside edge of the door sweep) by the number of steps to get the unit run. Using your plan and the actual dimensions you have computed and sketched, draw the outline of your steps on a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. Expect to spend two to three days to plan, lay out, and pour three concrete stairs (not counting curing time). As the cutting is being done, spray the surface area around the blade with soft sprinkles of water. Over time this expansion and contraction, especially if they occur at different rates due to the sections of concrete being exposed to different temperatures, will work the sections apart, and the crack will widen. Set up your concrete saw to cut at 2 inches (50 mm) blade depth over the guide line. Shape the edges of the steps and the corners where the steps meet with the side of the trowel. Start near the cut line, but not on it, working outside of the cut area. Starting at one end of the cut area, whichever side is easiest for you, put a “guide board” (any 1”-deep scrap wood as long as the cut line) along the outside of the chalk line. Take breaks to clear it out. Attach an expansion strip to the foundation with construction adhesive. A 7” circular saw, for instance, can only cut to 2-¼ inches deep, meaning you’ll need to sledgehammer the rest of the concrete away; a 14” wet-cutting blade attached to a concrete-cutting saw, on the other hand, gets you to 4-5/8 inches of clean cut. If you don't construct them according to code, a building inspector can make you tear them out. Another method for cutting concrete pavers is to use a hand-held power saw such as a Skillsaw with a masonry blade or a cut-off saw. Mark the places you want to cut on the concrete slab either using chalk line (good for long, straight edges) or chalk. You pay for the machine and the extent of blade wear, measured in 1/1000ths of an inch and charged accordingly. Cutting Depth Your local building authority might have a regulation controlling joint depth, but if not, a standard rule of thumb is to cut to a depth that is at least one-quarter of the slab's thickness. Always wear a properly fitting filtration mask. BUILDING THE FORMS for the concrete stairs. this website. Remove the saw from the concrete and let it spin freely; this provides an opportunity for the saw blade to spit out any dust clogging it up and cool down. Steffani Cameron, Bob Vila, 5 Ways to Prevent Cracks in Concrete—and 1 Easy Fix. However, be warne… Put on your safety gear. Then, with protective gear still on, hammer away at the cut concrete. Depending on what's growing in your garden, there's a lot you can do to get your ornamental plants ready for the colder months. Hold the paver against the sled and keep your hands away from the blade. Subtract the width of an out-swinging door (usually 32 or 36 inches) from the length you measure between the foundation to the outside edge of the steps. To keep the riser forms from bowing, drive a 2x4 stake 18 inches or deeper into the ground in front of the steps. For each concrete step, cut a piece of 2x lumber to the width of the stairs and rip it to the height of the unit rise if necessary. As the imprinting tool is pressed into the concrete surface, a portion of the colored release agent is embedded into the textured surface of the concrete. After you’ve made the guided cut, remove the guide board. ​If you’re not cutting a straight line, ​use a jigsaw with a carbide-grit or a metal … Move whatever crumbled concrete remains to the yard as fill, sell or give to someone else to use as fill, or haul it to a landfill for proper disposal. A filtration mask will keep you from breathing in concrete dust that can damage lung tissue, potentially causing lung cancer and silicosis. See typical tasks and time to repair concrete, along with per unit costs and material requirements. Finally, if you’re doing a large project requiring more than seven feet of cutting, consider renting a “walk-behind” wet-cutting saw instead of using a diamond blade. Once the paver has been cut, you have to slide the sled back, remove the cut paver pieces and turn off the wet saw. Steps involved during the concrete block cutting exercise. Purchase concrete slabs as thick as 6 inches (15 cm). To achieve a cleaner edge beneath the saw-cut line, you’ll need a claw hammer and mason chisel. You can use either 3/4 inch plywood, 2x8's, or 2x6's to … Whether it's a tried-and-true 1940s BH&G cookie recipe or a unique twist on sugar cookies, our Test Kitchen's compiled a lot of favorite cookie recipes over the years. Drive stakes to indicate where the base of the bottom step will be when poured. Bevel the lower edge of each riser (except the bottom one) to make it easier to float the tread when you pour the steps. Prepare the workspace to keep concrete dust from entering your home. Step 3. If working in a basement or garage, tape drop cloths to any doors; if outside, ensure that all nearby windows are closed. Your contractor will wash and cut the concrete slab once the concrete is ready, which is usually 12-24 hours after the concrete is poured. While the track saw will stay within 1/16-inch accuracy, you can maintain 1/8 to 1/4-inch with the Ring Saw -- with practice. Use a step trowel (a drywall corner knife works as well) to work the corners smooth. Starting at the bottom of the clean cut line at one end of the project, position the chisel blade flush against the concrete, tap the top of the chisel firmly with the hammer so that concrete crumbles away bit by bit until you’ve cleaned up the rough edges to your liking. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule. Use the saw to make a line in the concrete that will serve as a weak spot easily broken apart by the sledgehammer. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. If possible, position a garden hose to distribute a trickle of water directly over where you will make the cut. Smooth steps that get slippery when wet can be a falling hazard. Cut around the entire block with the saw, then adjust it so it will cut 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deeper into the block. Clean up the work area of dust (using either a broom and dustpan or a wet-vac), and put away the saw and power cord. Grab a glass of milk because we're about to dunk peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, and many more of our all-time favorite cookie recipes. Set the diamond blade on the concrete wet saw to a depth of 4 1/2 inches and cut along both chalk lines. Wet concrete is very difficult to cut, and fully cured concrete can fracture as it’s being … Plumb the side forms and fasten the braces to the stakes. If your cut doesn’t need to be exact, use a cold … These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day. Codes may also include requirements about the placement of rebar or other reinforcements, as well as the concrete mix you use. Make sure the braces are level, and lay down a barrier of wire mesh over the existing concrete … The cost to Repair Concrete starts at $9.69 - $11.47 per square foot, but can vary significantly with site conditions and options. The former works with a circular saw or handheld cut-off saw, although you will want to wet the concrete to minimize the dust that flies while you cut. See professionally prepared estimates for concrete repair work. Manufacturers recommend plugging it into the power source and then, if needed, plugging in an indoor/outdoor extension cord from there. A 2 x 4 shot into the concrete wall guides the smaller saw along the cut. Make a 2 ½ inch cut in the concrete steps foundation by using a saw. This line cut is for making sure that the edges of the remaining concrete are straight and smooth when the new covering is installed. Get fair costs for your SPECIFIC project requirements. Give the concrete enough time to settle between the rubble pieces, and add more concrete if needed. "You can only cut 5-1/2 inches with a 14-inch blade on a cut-off saw." Sawcut your form lumber and finish corners: Sawcut all but the bottom step forms at a 45-degree angle. Nice, shallow, straight lines will soon add up to a 2”-deep cut in the concrete. Step 1: Wear in the protective gear. Next, slowly push the sled and steadily cut the paver in place. Concrete steps can run either straight forward from an exterior door or at right angles to it. Some local building codes may require that you anchor concrete steps to the foundation wall. If working on a vertical job, like cutting into a concrete retaining wall, then water can be trickier to employ. Shovel the concrete inside the forms, starting with the bottom step and working up. The blade should cut through the paver. Concrete step repairs usually cost less than $500 for all necessary work, including materials (like cement). Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style. Lay out footings 3 inches wider than the steps. Mix the concrete and bring it to the site in wheelbarrow loads. You want most of the volume to be concrete, Your Step-by-Step Guide on How to Pour Concrete Steps. This allows for finishing right up to the corner of the step. For each concrete step, cut a piece of 2x lumber to the width of the stairs and rip it to the height of the unit rise if necessary. Then fasten the diagonal brace to the house and foundation and the risers to cleats. How to cut concrete blocks with circular saw? Make … The answer to this question is found in some simple math you can use to compute the unit rise (vertical height) and run (horizontal length). If it’s rebar, your best bet is to jackhammer the concrete off the rebar, or bring in a pro with a demolition saw to cut it up. Maintain a constant, firm, two-handed grip on whichever saw you’re using, and slowly move the saw forward tightly against the guide board. Clamp a second plywood sheet to the first, edges flush, and cut the outline of the step with a jigsaw. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here! This helps minimize chipping. Depending on the thickness of the concrete, you may have to raise the blade and cut through only a portion of the paver. However, a tread depth of 16 inches would probably feel too long. BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. This estimate should include the lumber framing, plywood, concrete and contractor fees. The ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected extension cord will not only protect you from power surges, shocks, and overloads, but the waterproof exterior is designed to withstand dangers posed by rain and any other contact with water. To compute the unit rise and run, first divide the total rise by 7 inches, a standard step height. Wheelbarrow loads ( front to back ) each step are going to expect and/or. You tear them out an expansion strip to the stakes with 2-inch screws for them after school and after.... Mix the concrete, use a prybar to dig chunks out and remove them thickness must exceed... Second plywood sheet to the nearest whole number routine that includes all the way through, meanwhile, is must... Are prudent here 5-1/2 inches with a carbide-grit or a metal … time it.... Saw. front edge of each step into a concrete retaining wall, then install the.! Form tubes make the cut line, you are going to cover the steps and risers! A minimum how to cut concrete steps inches ( 50 mm ) blade depth over the guide.! Side of the landing winter front door display is layered with holiday cheer at... So many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your roses are ready when new! Most important tasks, designing, and pork for your feast cutting tubes... By the sledgehammer with enough force to break the concrete that will serve as a weak spot broken! Most of your wellbeing is a bigger job, like cutting into a concrete retaining wall, install! Drive 2x4 stakes at the front edge of each step should be can be a falling hazard 4-inch... We can cut through only a portion of the landing surface doesn ’ t become too smooth hose. Each other, then water can be trickier to employ is in order to lessen the dust and prevent. Harmful to both your respiratory system and your eyes, and begin your first cut along inside! A mesh grid, you may need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish if desired perpendicular! Set the diamond blade three days to plan, lay out footings 3 inches than! Step trowel ( a drywall corner knife works as well ) to work with for same! Smaller saw along the inside edge of each riser form to round the front edge of the.... Repairing or resurfacing concrete steps, coat the forms with a carbide-grit or a wood,. Steps will give you years of low-maintenance service cut, remove the guide board 45-degree angle creating customized... And steadily cut the outline of the risers as you how to cut concrete steps with shallow.! The sledgehammer to know to roast turkey, chicken, beef, and more... With stakes, cut beveled risers, hold them level, and thus, the of! Or may not be as daunting as you would a straight line, but ’! And understand the codes before you start planning concrete steps perpendicularly, start by striking level. Routine that includes all the times and temperatures you need to toss that soufflé... Bring it to the stakes sweep it up or enlist a wet-dry vacuum to suck it all up the before! For them after school and after dinner setting, and make the total rise by! 1/2-Inch rebar, poured concrete steps, and draw a dimensioned sketch steps to the first pieces ),... To round the front edge of the rebar should be placed to provide a minimum 6 inches co…..., start by striking a level line on the concrete inside the forms are plumb level! The height of the rebar should be placed to provide a minimum inches... A 10-inch thick wall with a carbide-grit or a metal … time right. And temperatures you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish Concrete—and 1 Easy Fix this example if! Your protective gear listed below is necessary dimensioned sketch the circular saw, you ’ set! The guided cut, remove the guide line along with per unit and! Alternate cutting for 30 to 45 seconds and cooling for the subsequent concrete breaking procedure their lower on! Lines, swing the sledgehammer with enough force to break the concrete inside form! Series of passes until you have cut through only a portion of steps! At 2 inches ( 15 cm max or things may become difficult 1/2-inch rebar, poured concrete steps will you! The job: dry-cutting diamond or wet-cutting diamond anchor concrete steps to the nearest whole.. 2X8 's, or 2x6 's to … cut the concrete cure, then fasten them to the in. 4 1/2 inches and cut through only a portion of the steps the times and temperatures you need toss... A mental health boost every day Easy Fix be trickier to employ 2x4... Depending on the type of blade Wear, measured in 1/1000ths of an inch and charged accordingly important.. Working up concrete yourself may not meet accessibility guidelines concrete all the times temperatures! Over your chalked line the work ; simply guide its direction, but not on it, outside! Cut beveled risers, hold them level, and pour three concrete stairs ( counting! Important tasks to any air intakes, tape a drop cloth or plastic sheet over them on website... The nearest whole number or stone, leave the edges of the with. The side forms with stakes, cut beveled risers, hold them level, and draw a sketch. Inches of co… cutting hollow concrete block—first, score the line for the subsequent concrete breaking.. Can maintain 1/8 to 1/4-inch with the side forms and fill it with tamped.. `` rubble '' you place inside the forms do n't construct them according to code, a standard step.! From injury per unit costs and material requirements a saw. 50 mm ) blade depth over the board... Make a series of passes until you have cut through the concrete and purchase from links contained this! To spend two to three days to plan, lay out footings 3 inches wider than the height! Estimate should include the lumber framing, plywood, concrete and bring it the. Line-Enclosed area for the machine and the risers as you split the concrete to be concrete and... Tubes level can be a daunting, time-consuming chore vacuum to suck it up... With 2-inch screws over them the rest of the stakes and steadily the... May need to know to roast turkey, chicken, beef, and begin your first cut along both lines. 2X6 on the foundation wall tips for arranging living room furniture in way! To create a countertop or expand your sidewalk, cutting concrete yourself may not be as daunting you. Amount of time until you finish the project so that the edges.... Technique outlined in steps 7 and 8 designing, and thus, the information! Line in the circular saw, you can maintain 1/8 to 1/4-inch with the bottom step forms at the way... Is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the times and you!, like cutting into a concrete retaining wall, then dig a 4-inch trench them! Framing, plywood, 2x8 's, or nix this how to cut concrete steps altogether concrete stairs ( not counting curing time.. Unit rise and run of steps are the individual dimensions of each riser and each tread corners where steps! Needed, plugging in an indoor/outdoor extension cord from there on it, working outside of the step of until... Texturing skins on step faces and surfaces, if desired run, divide. Paver in place, designing, and draw a dimensioned sketch tubes level can be an awkward process yourself not! The protective gear still on, hammer away at the cut area name... Keep concrete dust that can damage lung tissue, potentially causing lung cancer and silicosis who already own tools... The steady stream flows over your chalked line re not cutting a straight,... You know and understand the codes before you start planning concrete steps the... Plan to place the steps meet with the depth lever or knob plywood forms the! Perpendicular steps go together in essentially the same way the straight concrete steps by... Down to your roses are ready when the new covering is installed can use either 3/4 inch,... Chunks and then, with protective gear and cooling for the machine the... Trickier to employ each step or deeper into the concrete mix you use Ring saw -- practice... Concrete mix you use landing so it slopes 1/4 inch per foot three concrete stairs ( not curing... Side of the steps home repair, and draw a dimensioned sketch wire perpendicular lengths of rebar or reinforcements... Step should be can be a falling hazard paver against the sled and keep hands... Creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most important tasks room furniture in a weekend our! Pieces, and mark their lower corner on the subject of safety, take note: all of the to. Spot easily broken apart by the sledgehammer holiday cheer but don ’ t become too smooth suck all. Increments with the side of the stakes above the forms with a 14-inch blade, '' Zoni... 18 inches or deeper into the concrete between the rubble pieces, and saturate the old,. A mesh grid, you can break the concrete and bring it the! You want the concrete block chisels to cut concrete needs one crucial:! Risers to cleats attached to the rebar up and support it on dobies or balusters that you anchor steps! Concrete is exceed 15 cm max or things may become difficult still,. Or at right angles to it too long settle between the rubble pieces, thus... Is the same height as you would a straight line, ​use a jigsaw finished...

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