Last Updated on February 16, 2026

Roadway or pavement repairs, decorative driveways and patios, trenches for utility access, demolition and renovation projects — there are endless reasons why you may need to cut through concrete.

You know you’ll need to rent a concrete saw, but aren’t sure which kind: a wet concrete saw or a dry concrete saw? Well, that depends on which technique will work best for your project.

Before you commit to a dry- or wet-cutting concrete saw rental, make sure you understand the pros and cons of each approach to concrete cutting. In this article, you’ll learn the basics of wet and dry cutting techniques so you can decide which way to go.

Wet Cutting Concrete: Pros and Cons

Wet cutting is when a continuous stream of pressurized water is sprayed on the blade and cutting site while you operate the saw. The water lubricates and cools the blade as you work, allowing for longer or deeper cuts without stopping.

The water also weighs down dust particles, which minimizes respiratory health hazards but creates a slippery slurry on the ground.

• Learn how to wet cut concrete safely with this OSHA Fact Sheet: Control of Silica Dust in Construction, Walk-Behind Saws

Wet concrete saws are powered by diesel or gasoline, which helps prevent electrical hazards. They also have a hose attachment to keep the water flowing in the right direction. Of course, wet cutting means you’ll need an ample water supply on site.

• Read more: Methods for Cutting Concrete

Advantages of Wet Cutting

Wet cutting is a versatile and efficient way to cut through concrete, masonry and other dense materials.

• Good Control and Accuracy: Wet blades are incredibly sharp and precise. Plus, the water keeps the blade cool and makes it easier to see what you’re doing.
• Versatile Cuts: You can make longer cuts with less downtime and repositioning than a dry blade. Wet cutting also allows you to make detailed curved cuts, which you can’t do with dry cutting.
• Fewer Overheating Risks: The continuous stream of pressurized water cools the blade and the concrete. This helps keep the saw from overheating, even during long cuts. It also helps prevent burns or damage to the material you’re cutting.
• Better Respiratory Safety: Cutting concrete and masonry produces silica dust, which can lead to serious lung damage or death if inhaled. Wet cutting keeps much of the dust out of the air, minimizing respiratory risks to those nearby.

Potential Disadvantages of Wet Cutting

While wet cutting can be used for many tasks while minimizing harmful dust, it’s not ideal for every project.

• Potential for Damage or Chipping: Wet cutting is best for tough materials because it is more powerful and abrasive than dry cutting. However, this means that it is also more likely to damage or chip some materials, like porcelain tiles.
• Shorter Lifespans: Wet cutting blades are less durable than blades specifically made for dry cutting. Their shorter lifespan means you’ll have to change the blades more frequently, and you can’t use wet blades for dry cutting. If you use a wet blade to dry cut concrete, the blade will likely break within a few seconds because it can’t withstand the heat.
• Electrical and Slip Hazards: The water used in wet cutting concrete can be a messy safety hazard if not managed correctly. To prevent electrical shock, avoid wet cutting near electricity or equipment that’s not rated for use in a wet area. To minimize slips and falls, wear proper footwear, put up signage and clean up the slurry quickly.
• Requires Ample Water Supply: Projects in remote areas or indoor spaces may not have access to water, or water with the right pressure, making wet cutting impossible.

Dry Cutting Concrete: Pros and Cons

Dry cutting does not use any water. Instead, dry concrete saws have specialized blades to cut through concrete without lubrication. They’re cooled down by free spinning between cuts.

To avoid overheating, you have to pause regularly and can’t make curved cuts. So, this method is usually best for shallow, small, straight cuts. Dry cutting is also great for sites where you can’t use water, such as remote construction sites or indoor spaces.

Advantages of Dry Cutting

Compared to wet cutting, there are several advantages to dry cutting concrete, including:

• Cleaner Project Sites: Since there is no water with dry cutting, there is no messy slurry to clean up. This makes dry cutting perfect for busy, indoor projects like concrete flooring repairs.
• Ideal Cuts for Detailing: Dry cutting blades excel at shallow, straight cuts. This makes dry cutting great for scoring or finishing work where you need to create smooth surfaces.
• Portability: With dry cutting, you’re not limited to sites with an ample water supply. Instead, you can cut concrete in any location. There are also handheld electric concrete saws designed for dry cutting in tight spaces.
• Longevity: Blades designed for dry cutting can withstand more heat than wet blades. They often stay sharper for longer, minimizing how often you need to change the blade.

Potential Disadvantages of Dry Cutting

While dry cutting lets you work in more places with no slurry mess, it’s not ideal for every project.

• Can’t Make Long or Curved Cuts: You can only make short, straight cuts when dry cutting. The blade will overheat or become damaged if it’s used too long.
• Increased Dust Exposure: The biggest downside to dry cutting is that it generates airborne dust. To keep those around the site safe, follow all dust control guidelines and use vacuums and dust control equipment, as needed.
• More Downtime When Cutting: Remember, dry blades must free spin to cool down between cuts. This means that dry cutting a large area of concrete can take significantly longer than if you were wet cutting.

Which Is Best? When to Use Each Type

Both concrete cutting methods are effective for a variety of jobs. The method you choose ultimately comes down to the specific needs of your project and project site.

Wet Cutting Is Ideal For:

• Tough or Thick Materials: Wet cutting can go deeper than dry cutting, making it great for thick materials, reinforced concrete, bricks, masonry, non-porcelain tile and metal.
• Precise Long and Curved Cuts: Wet cutting offers more versatility because you can cut concrete for longer stretches than with dry cutting.
• Minimizing Hazardous Dust: Dry cutting creates airborne dust, while wet cutting turns it into a slurry that can be washed away.
• Tight Deadlines: Wet cutting can often go faster than dry cutting since you can cut more concrete at a time without stopping.

Dry Cutting Is Ideal For:

• Indoor Use or Dry Work Sites: Dry cutting saws do not require water, making it ideal for indoor sites where the area must stay dry at all times.
• Short, Intermittent Cutting: Dry cutting is ideal for scoring or other small cutting projects.
• Minimizing Slippery Messes and Electrical Hazards: Water and electricity don’t mix. With ample dust control measures, dry cutting is ideal for busy sites or working near electrical components.   
• Small or Remote Projects: Dry cutting is great for small cutting jobs and projects in remote areas, without water or power.

Explore Herc Rentals Concrete Solutions

Choosing the right concrete cutting method depends on the unique needs of your project. For your next concrete cutting project, turn to the equipment experts at Herc Rentals.  

Our powerful concrete saws can execute wet or dry techniques, giving you the flexibility to take on multiple tasks with the same saw. Our saws also come in multiple blade sizes, ensuring a custom-cutting solution for every project.   

Explore our wide selection of concrete equipment rentals today, or call 1-800-432-6215 to get started today.