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How to Cut Expansion Joints in the Driveway After the Concrete Is Poured

Expansion joints and control joints allow a concrete slab to expand and contract as the temperature changes. Without expansion joints, the concrete slab will crack, often in places and directions that are undesirable. uYou must cut the joints soon after the concrete sets to prevent it from cracking on its own. Plan the joint locations before you pour the concrete so you can quickly layout the joints and make the cuts.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Chalk marker
  • Chalk Line
  • Circular Saw with masonry blade
  • Dust mask
  • Safety goggles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Multiply the slab thickness by 3. The result defines the maximum slab area. For example, a slab depth of 5 inches by 3 = a maximum slab size of 15 feet square.

    • 2

      Snap chalk lines for cuts by holding the line on the concrete at the beginning and end of the cut. Pull the line taut, lift the line about 12 inches above the concrete and release it. The line will snap down and leave a chalked line across the concrete.

    • 3

      Layout chalk lines for the cuts at inside corners. Inside corners require two cuts, each parallel with the two sides of the corner (see Resource). Perform this step at all inside corners even if it results in a small slab.

    • 4

      Use the tape measure to determine the location of additional expansion joint cuts. Symmetrical sized slabs look best but are not necessary and not always possible. If you have a 20-foot wide driveway 30 feet long, marking 10 foot square slabs is easy.

    • 5

      Install the masonry blade on the circular saw according to the manufacturer's directions. Set the saw blade depth to 1/4 inch deeper than 1/4 the thickness of the slab. For example, a 5-inch slab requires a minimum cut depth of 5 x 1/4 = 1 1/4 inches. Set the saw blade depth to 1 1/2 inches deep -- the minimum plus 1/4 inch. Going a little deeper accommodates variations in slab depth.

    • 6

      Put on the dust mask and safety goggles. Hold the circular saw at the beginning of a chalk line with the front of the blade and the front guide mark aligned with the chalk line. The blade should not touch the concrete yet. Start the saw and gradually feed it into the concrete to begin the cut. Continue cutting across the slab to the other side. Cut all the chalk lines in this manner.

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Paving
  1. How to Cut In a Flagstone Driveway From an Existing Concrete Driveway
  2. How to Lay Concrete With Key Breaks
  3. How to Add a Concrete Slab Alongside a Driveway
  4. How to Replace the Wooden Joints in the Driveway
  5. How to Replace Concrete Driveway Joints
  6. How to Pour a Concrete Slab on Asphalt Driveway
  7. How to Cut Cement Expansion Joints
  8. How Deep to Saw Expansion Joints
  9. How to Pour a Concrete Slab in Sections
  10. How to Level a Poured Concrete Slab
  11. How to Install Expansion Joints in Sidewalks
  12. How to Paint Concrete Expansion Joints

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