Asphalt pavement is commonly used for roads, driveways, parking lots, and pathways. As with any paving surface, there are times when cutting asphalt pavement may be necessary. It could include removing an old driveway or making room for a new construction project. Knowing how to cut asphalt pavement properly can help you get the most out of your paving job. Learning to cut asphalt pavement includes improved accuracy, less waste, and faster completion time.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss different strategies for cutting asphalt safely and effectively and explain how to do it properly each time. We’ll also explore what tools are necessary to complete the job without compromising your safety or wellness.
Preparing to Cut Asphalt Pavement
When preparing to cut asphalt pavement, safety should always be the top priority. Make sure to have the proper safety equipment, such as a hard hat, gloves, protective eyewear, face masks, and clothing that covers your hands and arms. It’s also important to check the condition of the pavement before you begin work – look for any old repairs or previous gaps to determine the best cutting method and select the appropriate cutting equipment.
Consider whether straight cuts are necessary or if more intricate designs would be required before deciding what type of saw is best utilized and what ideal operators should be used. With some planning and careful consideration of safety equipment, pavement condition, type of saws available, and cutting techniques needed, creating successful cuts in asphalt can be surprisingly straightforward.
Techniques for Cutting Asphalt Pavement
Asphalt pavement needs to be cut from time to time, and there are several cutting techniques available. Here we will look at two of the most common methods:
Wet Cutting Technique
The wet-cutting technique involves using a saw with a diamond blade to cut through the asphalt while spraying water directly onto the cut. This process helps prevent dust from getting into the air and reduces smoke, making it an ideal choice for working in enclosed or residential areas.
The benefits of wet cutting include creating a cleaner and smoother cut than is possible with dry cutting and being quieter and less abrasive. However, this process is more labor-intensive due to having to rewet the surface to keep the dust down continually.
Dry Cutting Technique
In dry cutting, a saw with a diamond blade remains necessary. However, no water is sprayed onto the surface while cutting. This method is typically quicker as it only needs one operator and can be used when tight corners need to be cut without leaving trailing water behind.
The advantages of dry cutting include providing more control throughout the cut due to not having to worry about wetting down the surface beforehand and not having to stop frequently to rewet it during cutting. However, this process creates more dust than wet cutting, so it should only be used outdoors and in good ventilation areas.
Diamond Blade Cutting
Diamond blade cutting uses a saw with a diamond-encrusted blade to slice through asphalt. This process allows for precise cuts, but it is also expensive and labor-intensive because of the need to continually replace the blades due to their fragility.
Abrasive Cutting
Abrasive cutting is a technique where abrasive media such as sand or glass beads are blasted at high pressure onto the asphalt to cut it away. This method is fast and efficient, but it produces dust particles that can be damaging if inhaled or ingested.
Thermal Cutting
Thermal cutting involves using pressurized gas torches to heat up and melt asphalt to remove it. This option produces minimal dust so that it can be done safely indoors; however, it requires more specialized equipment than other techniques and can sometimes leave behind an uneven surface.
Steps for Cutting Asphalt Pavement
Cutting asphalt is a necessary part of the installation and maintenance of asphalt pavements, so it is essential to be familiar with the steps involved to ensure a successful result. Here are the steps for cutting asphalt pavement:
1. Marking the cutting line – This is an important step that must be done carefully, as this will guide your work in the future. Make sure to draw a clear and accurate line with a marker or chalk you can easily follow when cutting.
2. Starting the cutting equipment – Now it is time to get the job done! First, start up your cutting equipment, making sure all safety precautions are taken while handling it.
3. Adjusting the cutting depth – Once the machine is on, set the blade’s depth according to what you need to cut through (usually 5-6 inches).
4. Cutting along the marked line – Start working your way along your marked line slowly but steadily while ensuring you keep a safe distance from other people and objects around you.
5. Stopping and inspecting the cut – As soon as you finish, check how well your cut matches your marked line and make any necessary adjustments before proceeding further with more cuts or additional work on this particular area.
6. Removing debris and cleaning up the area – After completing all cuts, remove any extra pieces of asphalt left behind and clean up everything within the designated area so it looks neat and professional again.
Tips for Achieving a Smooth Cut
Achieving a smooth cut is essential when cutting asphalt pavement. Here are some tips to help you achieve this goal:
- Maintaining a consistent cutting speed – Keeping your machine at the same speed throughout the process will ensure that all cuts are even and the finish has no flaws.
- Keeping the cutting blade sharp – Sharpening your blades regularly will also help achieve uniform cuts, as blunted blades can tear through the asphalt unevenly.
- Controlling the cutting equipment – Control your cutting machine properly is critical to ensuring no errors occur during the process, so practice makes perfect!
- Cutting in sections – Rather than tackling an entire project in one go, focusing on smaller sections of asphalt is better. This way, if any mistakes are made, they can be more easily corrected without having to redo too much work already done.
Dealing with Common Challenges
When it comes to asphalt cutting, common challenges can arise that may impede the cutting process and lead to undesirable outcomes. For example, overheating of cutting equipment is likely to happen when too many demands are put on a single tool or machine, so it is essential to employ different machines for different tasks and adequately maintain your tools to prevent such issues.
Dust and debris buildup can obstruct cutting and make the pavement surface uneven. However, this can be prevented by adequately cleaning the running track area during use and using hand brushes where appropriate. If not attended to quickly and nicely, more severe issues such as cracking or fracturing of the pavement may occur, so working closely with a professional who will regularly monitor the equipment is a wise precaution.
Best Practices for Cutting Asphalt Pavement
Cutting asphalt pavement requires diligence and attention to detail. However, the job can be done safely and efficiently with some preparation. Three best practices include adhering to safety guidelines, properly maintaining cutting equipment, and working with a partner. Secondly, ensuring the cutting machine is regularly cleaned and maintained in proper working order will keep it running smoothly throughout the job and deliver consistent results.
Lastly, having an assistant to provide feedback about control, force applied, tire traction, etc., makes for safer working conditions. Again, cleaning up excess waste materials around the work area is another crucial step for completing any job successfully.
When to Call a Professional
Whenever you work on a paving project involving complex pavement structures, high-traffic areas, or hard-to-cut materials, it is in your best interest to call a professional. Professionals like LeeBoy are experienced in navigating tricky and time-consuming projects and can complete the job faster than if you attempted it.
An experienced professional knows how to accomplish the task after assessing the work and utilizes specialized tools and equipment to ensure maximum accuracy and quality results.
Conclusion
Asphalt cutting is a skill that requires precision and expertise. If you need to become more familiar with how asphalt pavement works and need to cut through it, reliable companies like LeeBoy can do the job for you. Their specialized asphalt project equipment and vast knowledge of this art form ensure that your asphalt-cutting needs are taken care of with pristine quality and effortless reliability.