Why Is Concrete Made Wet For Cutting Indoors?

While many people will not have an intricate understanding of what concrete cutting entails, most will appreciate that the process produces a lot of dust. 
Moreover, you must appreciate the complexity that comes with concrete cutting despite not having an intricate understanding of all the procedures that concrete cutting involves. 
To help you understand concrete cutting in a more intricate manner, we will look at the main reason why concrete cutting operators will typically wet the concrete before and during the cutting process. 

  • Reduces Dust Emissions
  • Cuts Down On Noise Exposure
  • For Lubrication Purposes
  • Provide Blade Cooling 

1. Wetting Concrete Reduces Dust Emissions

The main reason why we wet concrete before and during the cutting and sawing process is to reduce the dust emissions resulting from the cutting process. 
Typical dust is a health hazard owing to the effects it has on the respiratory system.
However, concrete dust is much more hazardous owing to the presence of crystalline silica. These crystals are very tiny and, therefore, respirable. 
When breathed in, the tiny silica crystals causes abrasions to the trachea and the lungs. 
Unfortunately, the abrasions and the resulting scars cause permanent damage, reducing the lung’s ability to absorb oxygen for the body. 
This condition is known as silicosis and it is cumulative and difficult, if not impossible to treat and reverse. 
Long-term exposure to this kind of lung damage is irreversible and tends to lead to hospitalisation and early death as the body dies from suffocation in extreme cases.
Indoor environments naturally present the challenge of having reduced ventilation. 
As such, the accumulation of dust ridden with silica crystals increases the chances of contracting silicosis. 
To avert this risk, concrete cutting operators will wet the concrete to reduce the amount of dust spewed out during the process. 
Studies have shown that wetting the concrete before and during the cutting and sawing process reduces dust by as much as 85%, thereby protecting operators.

2. Provides Lubrication

With the blades spinning at high speeds and the high density of concrete, the friction levels are extremely high. 
Wetting the concrete block reduces friction. In essence, wetting provides lubrication during the cutting and sawing process.

3. It Reduces Noise Emissions

Wetting the concrete reduces the amount of noise emitted during the cutting process. As mentioned above, wetting reduces friction. 
Friction is known to produce sound, and when the friction levels are high enough in an enclosed environment such as indoors, it can produce deafening noise. 
Wetting negates the friction levels which in turn reduces the amount of noise pollution emitted.

4. Wetting The Concrete Provides Cooling For The Blades

As mentioned above, the high rotation and high density of concrete create a lot of friction during concrete sawing. 
An unwanted effect of friction is the increase in heat the concrete cutting blades are exposed to. 
The heat build-up increases the chances of the blade breaking into pieces or sections of the blade breaking off. 
Given that the high rotation and the enormous forces the blade is subjected to while cutting, any breakage of the blade will send shrapnel flying around. 
This is a huge safety issue and there is a huge risk of an accident occurring. 
Not only is a blade breaking off dangerous to operators, but it is also a very expensive accident. 
Concrete sawing blades are not cheap to purchase and, therefore, operators want to accrue the highest return on investment possible. 
The breakage of a blade before operators have used it for the intended life is a huge loss.
All factors considered, wetting of concrete while sawing is done to increase the safety of operators. 
Sawing concrete indoor requires operators taking the best safety precautions and wet sawing is one of the main safety precautions that operators can take. 

If you are looking for a concrete cutting company that is trustworthy and reliable, then don’t go past VIC Sawing and Drilling. Call us today on (03) 8786 3621 or contact us through https://www.vicsawing.com.au/contact/