Trimming a concrete slab

[fronton]

My 7' wide driveway is banked and the top slab before the plateau is raised due to a tree root. The leading edge needs to be taken down by 3" in order not to scrape my e30.

I called 10+ concrete finishing companies and landscapers with zero luck in even getting an estimate. I have a 4" angle grinder and a 7" circular saw that can tilt. Is there a blade I can buy for either that will cut the edge off or must I find someone with a commercial wet saw or grinder?

[nando]

they make concrete grinding machines, but they aren't cheap. I doubt you could even rent one - they used them here to resurface the 1960's concrete freeways.

I think it would make more sense to break up the concrete and fill it back in to the level you want. I don't think an angle grinder is going to do much - the machines I've seen are about the size of a dump truck.

[slammin.e28]

We rented one of these when we had to cut a 4'x4' section to install the lift.



Cut out the 4x4 square then across it a couple of times and then busted/pried up the sections with a sledge hammer and pry bar.

I think, like nando said, it'd be best to break up the high spot and refill it level with the surrounding driveway.

[F34R]

Go get a diamond blade for your saw(Lowes will have one). Then come back to where the slab is level and cut out the lift. Then get a sledge and bust the bad slab up and remove. Get bags of concrete and mix it up and pour even to both slabs.

Done.

[fronton]

Since I need to cut at an angle I don't think Slammin's big dog is going to work. I don't want to bust up the whole slab, just trim the edge off. I am renting this house so not looking for a major project or expense. The landlord already failed by adding a bit of concrete to the backside of the lip which just mean I have more work to do by removing it as well.

Should I get a diamond blade for the small angle grinder or the 7" circular saw?

[Todd Black 88]

Good luck!
I had the same issue and ended up redoing my entire driveway in asphalt because I couldn't get my car down my driveway.

[fronton]

I have my eye on this beauty but something about it makes me nervous, like I'm going to lose a limb.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/4106777324.html

[F34R]

Remove that slab and the flat one on the top. Then dig the angle down and pour a new section. Wasting money on that cutter will not help out. Get a sledge and a metal bar. Break it up and lower the grade.

You will spend less with concrete and manual labor.

If you can get the slab to flip over, I would just cut the top flat one and flip it out of the way. Dig down and flip it back. All you want to do is get rid of the angle that comes to a point. Diamond blade and a few friends with metal bars will get that done in no time.

Cost of blade(s) and brews for friends=no more bottoming out.

[RickSloan]

that wet saw will work like a charm and is super fun to use. Make a jig you can lay the saw on so you can cut the right angle and you should be all set. Cutting that angle witha fresh blade and water shouldn't take more then an hour.

[graveshaker]

I have my eye on this beauty but something about it makes me nervous, like I'm going to lose a limb.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/4106777324.html

I'll have to admit, that tool does seem a little scary.

[10Toes]

If it is just scraping a little then maybe just grinding a radius in the road profile would be enough.

Something like this Diamond Wheel on your grinder might be enough for a quick fix but really that whole driveway needs replaced to fix it right.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-4-in-Double-Row-Diamond-Cup-Wheel-HD-AWD40/202884364#.UmVYGfnVD_U

[mrsleeve]

Ok you can fix it right or make it work. Being a rental making it work will be your best plan. You can rent a cut off saw from just about anywhere they are not that hard to use. Being that you just want to clip that edge off of one lifted slab and I assume you have little experience with such a saw I would be more inclined to recommend a massonary blade or 5 for your grinder. Will be much cheaper and you will likely have better results than learing how to weild a cut off saw off hand and out of position for your 1st try with it, even for those have a lot of expierance with them, that is still a good way to get bitten by it . Get a basic dust mask and let the hose run slowly uphill from your work area so the water runs into the work area.

[DRTSRFR]

Is there any reason you can't jack that up, re-grade underneath and lay it back down?

That's what I have done in the past.

[10Toes]

Is there any reason you can't jack that up, re-grade underneath and lay it back down?

That's what I have done in the past.

What spring rates do recommend for a 8'X4'X0.5' concrete slab, I want a sporty but not too harsh feel.

[DRTSRFR]

Being I was raised in the construction trade, I would suggest 24k front. Perfect rate for poke.