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Concrete Cutting: A Comparison Between Wet and Dry Dust Control Systems

29 June 2017

Troy Medina

Dust is one of the biggest risks associated with concrete cutters. Environmental regulations usually require people to control the amount of dust that is released into the atmosphere during cutting operations. This article discusses the most common methods of controlling dust as you cut concrete on your property. Use this information to select the most appropriate dust control method for your specific project. 

Wet Dust Control Techniques

Wet dust control systems rely on a steady supply of water directed at the cutting wheel during the concrete cutting process. This can be done in two different ways. First, a garden hose can be connected to a water mains. Secondly, a pressurised water bottle may also be used. Each of these options is connected to spray nozzles that regulate the frequency at which water is released onto the cutting wheel.

The major advantage of wet dust control mechanisms is that the method is cheap. Water also helps to prolong equipment life because it keeps the cutting blade or wheel cool. However, water should never be used to control dust when you are using an electric concrete cutter due to the potential for an electrical hazard. You also have to incur the inconveniences associated with collecting and disposing of the concrete slurry generated by the cutting process. Wet dust collection systems are cumbersome to use with handheld concrete cutters.

Dry Dust Control Techniques

Another way that you can use to limit dust emissions into the environment entails utilising a vacuum system to capture the dust as the concrete is cut. This method is also called local exhaust ventilation. The hood of the concrete cutter is linked to a large vacuum cleaner. That vacuum then sucks in most of the dust that is produced during the concrete cutting process. The best hoods or guards are those that can be adjusted to enclose the cutting blade fully. Make sure that your vacuum has a filter to prevent dust from being recirculated.

Local exhaust ventilation systems eliminate the complex processes involved in getting rid of concrete slurry. These dry dust control systems are also suitable for any kind of concrete cutter, such as handheld ones. The downside of this method is that one must have a reliable power source in order to benefit from this technique. The system may also be slower for inexperienced concrete cutters since it can obscure the view of the person operating the cutting equipment.

Talk to a concrete contractor for advice about the two options above. That expert will assess your requirements and recommend the most appropriate dust control system for the cutting equipment that you wish to use during your project.

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