Slab Sawing & Trench Cutting in Salt Lake City, UT

Straight, clean slab cuts for plumbing, electrical and data-center trenching in occupied buildings.

Slab Sawing & Trench Cutting for Salt Lake City Projects

Slab sawing uses a walk-behind or track-mounted saw to make straight cuts in slabs on grade and elevated decks. In Salt Lake City, typical uses include trenching for new plumbing and drains, data and electrical runs in office and data-center spaces, openings for stairs and risers, and control joint cutting or repair in warehouse floors. Saw cuts can also be made to isolate a repair area before demolition so the edge of the remaining slab stays intact.

Clean, straight cuts reduce patch size and cost and make the slab restoration look intentional. Cutting rather than breaking also limits damage to adjacent slab, which keeps adjacent tenants running and reduces vibration. For trenching, cuts are typically laid out in pairs and the strip between is broken out and removed in manageable sections. Wet sawing with vacuum capture controls dust and meets silica requirements.

Elevated slabs require special care. Post-tensioned decks, common in some garages and podiums, can contain stressed tendons that must not be cut. GPR scanning identifies tendons and conduit, and the engineer decides what may be cut or relocated. On slabs on grade, saw depth must avoid vapor barriers, underslab utilities and rebar where possible. Dowels and patch concrete are then coordinated with the GC so the restored section matches the surrounding slab.

Salt Lake City-Specific Considerations

Salt Lake County's shallow groundwater means trenches below slab can fill with water and need pumping. Older industrial slabs in South Salt Lake may have no records. Frozen ground on exterior slabs and aprons affects winter work. Slurry must be captured and not sent to storm drains. Confirm permits for trenching that affects structural elements and call Blue Stakes before any excavation outside the building.

Our Slab Sawing & Trench Cutting Process

1. Scan the slab
Use GPR to find rebar, tendons and conduits and mark the safe cut path.
2. Set depth and layout
Choose saw depth based on slab thickness and the engineer's direction and chalk the trench lines.
3. Saw and capture slurry
Cut with a wet diamond blade, vacuum slurry continuously and control dust.
4. Break out and remove
Remove the sawn strips, dispose of debris and prepare the trench for the other trades.
5. Patch handoff
Clean edges and coordinate dowels and patch concrete with the GC.

Reference Specifications

Typical equipment: Hydraulic wall saws, track-mounted flat saws, wet core rigs and wire saws sized to the member being cut
Cut accuracy: Dead-straight overcut-free openings and cores sized to the sleeve, duct or door frame being installed
Pre-cut scanning: GPR and rebar scanning before every wall, slab or core penetration; results marked on the slab

Industrial Corridors We Serve

Request a Bid Review

Slab Sawing & Trench Cutting FAQ — Salt Lake City

Can you cut a post-tensioned slab?

Cutting is possible only with scanning and engineer approval. Tendons can be under high tension, and severing one is dangerous. GPR identifies their location, and the engineer decides on relocation or shoring. Never proceed on a guess. A scan, an engineer and a written plan come first.

How deep can slab saws cut?

Walk-behind saws commonly cut a foot or more depending on blade size, and larger saws go deeper. Depth should be matched to slab thickness and what lies below. Describe the slab and plans when requesting a quote. Overcutting at corners is avoided by stopping short and finishing the corner by other means when needed.

Do trench cuts need a permit?

It depends on scope. Trenching that affects structure or involves plumbing and electrical work generally requires permits, while minor work may not. Confirm with the building department for your address and have the plumbing or electrical contractor pull their permits. Patch work and structural dowels may be inspected before the trench is covered.