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How to reduce dust when cutting concrete?

Hey Guys & Girls

I need to build my sills and architraves for my new double-glazed windows but i need to cut the surrounding concrete lower as per the pic - However, i have a grinder that i can use to cut along the concrete but I'm worried about the amount of dust and was wondering how i can reduce the dust or at least prevent the dust from getting all over the rest of the room. I know i can fit a hoover attachment to the grinder but they're a bit expensive for my current budget at $60-$70. Perhaps plastic sheets from the ceiling down to the floor to create an enclosure around the windows, i dunno. Any suggestions or ideas would be hugely appreciated 🙏

cut this down to lower level

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Comments

EricL

Hello @elbow

Thanks for sharing your question about how to reduce dust when cutting concrete. Your idea of creating a small enclosure with drop sheets and masking tape is actually how trades people prevent dust from overwhelming the entire house.

It is unavoidable some dust will get out, but at least it will be greatly reduced and confined within the drop sheet space. Another solution is to have another pair of hands holding the shop vac hose at the back of the concrete cutter where the dust gets expelled.

I propose looking at the Ozito 1250W 12L Stainless Wet And Dry Vacuum which I believe fits neatly into your budget. It doesn't need any special fittings and if luck is on your side, it might even fit your grinding tool.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @TedBear for their recommendations.

Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a Citeco Half Face Respirator A1P2 Kit when working on your project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

wooshka

Hi @elbow , I have done this a number of times both inside and outside houses, believe me you will dissapear in the dust a dry cut off blade will create, especially inside the house.

you will need a proper filtration mask to wear as well as i would even recommend a full face ventilation mask as the amount of dust overloads normall dust masks.

the other thing i have found is that most vaccuum type devices block up really fast from the dust so they stop working after a short time.

If you can a wet saw for inside is the way to go if you can afford it.,if this can be done with the water doning damage

if it cant be just tape off as best as you can, but the dust seems to get through every nook and cranny.

Nailbag

Hi @elbow don't under-estimate the spread of dust cutting masonry will cause throughout the home. It's extremely fine and abrasive. So the main things to prepare for would be:

100% only use a workshop vacuum and not a domestic one as per @EricL . Masonry and plasterboard dust will find its way in to any electrical motor and cause irreparable damage to a domestic vac. Workshop vac's use a bypass motor system that will collect the debris without harm to the motor. Ensure you clean the filter regularly but not with water despite what the instructions might state. Moisture and masonry/plasterboard dust will simply clog the filter. Just give it a good tap and brush. I would also recommend a pre-filter bag over the main filter to provide a cleaner work environment and easier cleaning process.

Ensure your wearing a P2 rated dust mask, eye protection and earmuffs, to keep the dust out.

When sealing the room, fully tape the drop sheet firmly and close any windows and doors to prevent any breeze.

When using the grinder, hold the tip of the vac with a crevice tool fitted to the debris side of the guard to maximise the effectiveness of the dust being removed.

Regards, Nailbag

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/36363#Comment_36363

thank you for this sound advice, there are some good tips here and a couple things to look into. very much appreciated 🙏

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/36362#Comment_36362

awesome advice, thank you so much - yeah the mask is essential. i did a small section a few weeks back and the dust-cloud is incredible! i think the wet method is beyond me but will look at any ways i can do it. much appreciated 🙏

TedBear

Hi @elbow,

I can't add much to this conversation.

When we had a doorway cut out through an internal brick wall I watched the workers disappear into a dust cloud, so I made an escape path for the dust by opening up doors and put two upright fans (on high speed) next to where they were working, pointed at the open doors. These blew air and dust forcefully out of the doors.

That reduced the cloud somewhat, so at least the workers didn't disappear while cutting and less dust was able to settle.

Perhaps something like that is a possibility in your case.

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/36397#Comment_36397

possibly altho the only route is out the windows - unfortunately the middle and largest window is a whopper and fixed/closed 🙁

TedBear

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/80444#Comment_80444

Using that window as an outlet should do. Can you work from the inside? I find that fans are better at shifting dust to where you can manage it, than vacuum cleaners are at sucking it up. (VCs only work on dust that exists at the point of vaccum intake, which is a small area.) Of course, using both would give you the best chance of minimising the dust.

Dave-1

Evening @elbow

Grinding concrete dosnt sound like a lot of fun I must admit. I havnt done any so cant really help you out other then misting over the area with a water spray as you grind is about all.

Looking at your sill, is there a way around to install the type of sill you want without needing to grind the concrete right back?

As in a face type deal for the front of the window and with the sill level lifted up using spacers or other timber pieces?

Dave

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/36420#Comment_36420

Hey Dave,

Thanks for coming back. I'm not sure what you mean but possibly you are saying that i keep the concrete and just pad out the lower part to the same height as the concrete, thus forming a sill at a higher level?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/80450#Comment_80450

Morning @elbow

Yeah pretty much, I was trying to think around the problem. I was presuming that you want a timber sill for the window and looking at the window/Sill I thought there may be enough space to lift the Sill level with some spacers and then put a flat piece on top and still be under the window.

Dave

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/104755#Comment_104755

the existing concrete is about 5mm below the bottom of the frame when the window opens - i intend to just plaster all around, with no timber anywhere. I do like ur suggestion tho - I could pack the lower level upto the existing higher level and then plaster across possibly - If that is a solution, would i just pack it with plasterboard and glue it in place?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/119458#Comment_119458

Morning @elbow

Id always go for a hard surface sill and probarly sides if possible. I lived in one place that had a unfinished timber sill that they put contact over to mnake it look like finished timber.... Pain in the neck making smooth. The hard surface can be painted white but anything that can potentially get water on it and resting on it id go for timber over plaster.

Dave

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/128354#Comment_128354

noted - i dont think they will have anything on them at all. so you think just packing with plaster board and gluing is the way to pack it?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134087#Comment_134087

Morning @elbow

I would use something that wont absorb water such as hardi plank, the window spacers or even a thin strip of timber more so then plasterboard (if it gets wet in any kind of way then it looses its structual strength and the window sill will become "spongy"

These are the spacers Id suggest to use Shims, Wedges & Spacers Just pick the size you will need. I have used 5mm ones for my outside bench without a problem. And they dont soak water 🙂

So packing with shims / hardiplank / timber and glue is a way to go.

Dave

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137699#Comment_137699

ok thank you again for you help. we don't want to have any timber do perhaps the hardiplank is a good alternative. ill have to have a look into using that as an alternative 🙏

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140167#Comment_140167

Morning @elbow

How about a wide tile instead? Same use of packers underneath or even "mud"

Dave

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141916#Comment_141916

ah tile wouldn't suit the window/house.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143207#Comment_143207

🙂 @elbow

Back to thinking some more then!

Dave

elbow

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144152#Comment_144152

this stuff hurts my brain for sure! - Going back to your suggestion of the hardi-plank - im guessing i should use that for the reveals too for the same reason re moisture?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144857#Comment_144857

🙂 @elbow

I was actually meaning more thinking from me for a different solution 🙂 But yeah it does hurt the head for sure! It will disappear once you decide and implement the one you want tho 🙂

Not sure what you mean about the hardiplank, think auto type messed it up. But yeah always consider moisture and espeically long term moisture. Anything porus on a window sill I expect to absorb moisture any chance it gets.

Dave

Katie6025

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/36362#Comment_36362

I'm grinding a

concrete driveway. I've got a dust shrowd and bought the 4L ryobi vacuum. Within 3 Min the filter clogs. Is there any solution? Would an ozito vacuum as above be any better? I haven't tried wet grinding, but that's probly my next option.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92358#Comment_92358

Hello @Katie6025

The 4L Ryobi vacum is not strong enough to hold the grinding dust from your driveway, I suggest looking at investing in an Ozito 1250W 20L Wet And Dry Vacuum. When doing heavy dust work make sure to use the paper bag provided in the kit. Once the bag is full it can be emptied out and re-used again. The only time that the bag needs to renewed is when it has developed a leak or a hole has appeared at the bottom of the bag.

The last option will be wet grinding, but you need to make sure that all your equipment is rated for wet grinding. Improper use could result in in injury or electrical shock.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a half face respirator mask such as the 3M Medium Paint Project Reusable Half Facepiece Respirator.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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