Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Concrete Steps

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Wirepuller38
03-17-07, 08:25 AM
I have two concrete steps at my front porch. The step height is too much, so I want to add another step. The steps I have are a precast shell about 1 inch thick, separate units for each step, and about 40 years old.

My questions are:

A. Would it be possible to cut these steps to a lower height by using a masonry blade in a circular saw?

B. What kind of reinforcement would have been used when the steps were cast?

Thanks for your help.


Wirepuller38
03-19-07, 06:26 AM
The two steps I have now are not cemented in place. They are stacked with 1" wood spacers. These would be simple to remove as two separate units. I was hoping to be able to cut these down to a lower height, find a third bottom unit and cut it down to make 3 steps each having a height of about 6 1/2 inches.

Do you think it would be possible to cut these with a masonry blade?

Pecos
03-19-07, 08:22 AM
Any concrete can be cut. If the steps are only about 1 inch thick as you originally stated, then yes they can be cut. If you must use a circular saw, it would cut much better with a diamond blade. The fiber blades wear very quickly and you'd probably need a few of them. There's no telling what type of reinfocement is inside the steps. However, at 1 inch thick I'd think the most they would have would be wire mesh. I seriously doubt any rebar at all.


Wirepuller38
03-19-07, 10:36 AM
Pecos, thanks for your help.
I will look for the diamond blades.