Cutting a groove in concrete driveway

[troutkingmaster]

Hey guys, I need to cut a 1-2 inch groove in my driveway so I can run my invisible fence across it which I will then put sealant on top of to keep the wire down. My question is can I just buy a masonry blade for a skil saw and use that or do I need to rent a masonry saw? Also, if I can just use the skil saw, do I need to keep the blade wet or anything?

Thanks

[BRULEDRIFTER]

You can buy blades for the circular saw. Might go through a couple of them if you use the cheap 5-6$ ones. Use your oldest circular saw or better yet your neighbors as the dust is really hard on the motor. The blades can cut dry but a little water keeps the dust down some. It's also more difficult to get a straight cut with the circular than a concrete saw in my opinion.

I'm sure you know this alreay but no matter how well the new cut it sealed up it will get water in it and probably crack or expand some. The new cut will act just as another control joint.

Do you have an existing expansion joint anywhere that you can put it in? Even an existing control joint that is wide enough?

Also if the fence quits working check the wire in the joint first. The movement of the concrete on each side can nick/cut the wire....speaking from experience on that one!

[setterguy]

For less than 200 bucks you could have it bored. No cracks in your concrete.

[jeffreyd]

you could possibly bore it your self with a garden hose and very narrow straight tipped nozzle. depending on if you are talking 1 car 2 car or bigger. i do not think i would cut mine, if you as already posted have existing control or expansion joint that would be my method.

[croixflats]

I don't think you have to go 1 0r 2 inches. The reason I say that is when we put in loops sensor wires for security gates for driveways we only go 3/4 inch down and the width of the diamond blade is sufficient for the width of the wire.

Boring is an idea but remember with boring you have a hollow spot under the driveway and everytime you drive over that spot it weakens eventually cracking unevenly.

Go to a rental store and rent a demolition/concrete saw and diamond blade with a wheel attachment for a $100 or less and they will charge extra on how much of the diamond blade you used. Let them know if its for concrete or tarmac. Have them show you how to set the depth of the bade and how to operate it. Its very easy dont let the saw intimidate you. If you rent it for a half day it may be cheaper if they let you, some places do this.

Run a chalk line where you want to go.

Push the demo saw to stay on route its to hard staying on rout when pulling. Let the saw tell you how fast to push, if it starts to bog down go slower and go in a straight line if possible a slight ark is ok. Run it dry, no water. Going to be dusty and loud so wear dust mask and ear plugs. If its breezy you might forgo the dust mask but not the ear plugs.

Again you only have to go 3/4 inch down with the cut. clean the groove out lay wire then seal it. Make sure wire is all the way down and fill the groove completely with sealant so water does not get in there or the water will force the wire out when it freezes eventually. Use a stiff wire to clean out groove or compressed air. Take maybe a half hour at the most.

[GSB Ice Man]

I have done this using two diamond blades on the saw at the same time because I needed a wider trench. Just put them on the saw next to eachother, and you will get a bigger groove.

[CJH]

I would have it laid under the slab. Comcast just had that done with our cable.

I wouldn't cut up your slab, if you don't have to.

[BoxMN]

Why not just lay it in an existing expansion joint? That is what I do. Then just lay a bead of gray caulk to hold the wire in. Works perfect, and quick and cheap