How to Cut Through Blacktop for a Deck Post

Installing a deck post through a hard material such as blacktop or concrete can be accomplished by using a circular saw equipped with a diamond asphalt blade. These blades are designed to cut through less abrasive blacktop material. Blacktop consists of asphalt binder and mineral aggregate, which are compressed down once the blacktop is laid on roadways or driveways. For larger projects, a concrete saw can be used for deeper cuts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Colored chalk or paint marker
• Circular saw
• Diamond asphalt blade

1. Draw lines to mark where the post will be installed. Place the post in the correct spot and trace around it with the colored chalk or paint marker.

2. Install the diamond asphalt blade on the circular saw.

3. Adjust the saw table depth so that the diamond blade will cut only the blacktop.

4. Rest the nose of the circular saw onto the blacktop surface with the blade raised. Pull the blade guard back to expose the blade to the blacktop.

5. Start the saw and slowly let the blade sink into the blacktop. Once the table of the electric saw is resting against the blacktop, push the saw in the correct forward direction.

6. Stop cutting the blacktop as soon as the blade is at the end point of the mark you made for each cut. Once the blade has stopped, raise the saw and set it to the side. Remove the square of blacktop.

References

• Blacktop Cutting Tips