CDSA . . . The Mark of the Professional

If the contractor you commission to do your concrete sawing and drilling work is a member of Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA), you are working with a professional. Members of CSDA specialize in sawing and drilling concrete. In most cases, that is all they do. Thus, in contrast to some contractors who only saw on occasion, CSDA members are practiced, proficient specialists, who know a lot about concrete cutting.

And there's a lot to know. The type and configuration of the concrete. The type and size of aggregate. The thickness. Age. Is it prestressed or not? Does it have rebar or not? Are there functioning imbedments which must be avoided? How much working clearance is there? How and where are the slurry and/or dust to be disposed? And a host of other considerations.

Once all these things are known, it then becomes a matter of experience to select the right saw or drill for the project. There are numerous types (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, gasoline, and diesel) and sizes of machinery that must be considered. There are different types and sizes of saw blades and drill bits. Even that's not all. Once decisions are made on these items, it becomes a matter of technique and skill. Operators must be selected who know what sawing and drilling procedures to employ at what stage of the project. Step cutting, stitch drilling, angle cutting, partial depth, full depth, wide or narrow kerf, and more must be considered and resolved.

You can easily see from the above why it is clearly in your best interest to use a professional who specializes in cutting and drilling concrete. All the factors mentioned impact on cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and how well the job is done. If you use someone who only saws now and then, your chances of getting a pro who can coordinate the variables to get you the best result are slim at best. Why do it? Just make sure the sawing contractor you use specializes in cutting concrete and is a member of CSDA.