how to cut a masonary block wall?
Answers:
Previous answer is excellent. Cutting concrete or block or brick with a power saw creates a tremendous amount of concrete dust. Wear a breathing mask and eye protection. I would also advise you to hang some type of curtain around your work area if you are cutting inside the basement in order to contain the concrete dust. A forced air heating/cooling system will quickly send the dust throughout your home. Also beware of carbon monoxide if you use a gas powered saw in an enclosed area.
You did not mention if you were cutting all the way to the top of the foundation or not. If you are not cutting all the way to the top, you will have to install some type of lintel to carry the now unsupported block above. If you are cutting all the way to the top, and you have exterior brick veneer resting on the foundation, you will also need a lintel or angle iron (depending on the span) to support the veneer.
Also be aware that if you are cutting a hole in a basement wall for a window, and the room will be used for sleeping, your local building code will have certain egress requirements. Minimum opening sizes (breakable glass, not overall window size) will be specified. There will be a maximum distance allowed from the floor to the window sill. If the window is below grade, there will also be provisions for the size of the below grade "window well". These requirements are written so that an occupant has a means of escape in case of fire as well as a means for a fire fighter to enter the room from outside through the window.
Good luck with your project.
Other answers:
OPTION 1: You can rent a gas driven or electrical "Chop saw".
CAUTION: ventilate well with fans, wear breathing protection.
They can be equipped with a carbide fiber blade, or a diamond impregnated blade.
If available, the diamond does a faster and cleaner job, but you'll need to compare pricing. The Carbon blades are much less expensive, but you'll probably go through a few of them, whereas a good rental store will only charge you for partial usage of the diamond blade.
Scribe the outside edge of the opening to approx' 1-1/2" depth on both sides, then see what you can do with a 10lb. sledge hammer. Break the edges carefuly to be sure the break will follow the scribe. If it doesn't break cleanly at the scribe, cut a little deeper.
OPTION 2: Break out an oversized opening with a sledge hammer, and have a brick mason come in and fill in the broken block and build you a new rough opening for your door or window.
OPTION 1: You can rent a gas driven or electrical "Chop saw".
CAUTION: ventilate well with fans, wear breathing protection.
They can be equipped with a carbide fiber blade, or a diamond impregnated blade.
If available, the diamond does a faster and cleaner job, but you'll need to compare pricing. The Carbon blades are much less expensive, but you'll probably go through a few of them, whereas a good rental store will only charge you for partial usage of the diamond blade.
Scribe the outside edge of the opening to approx' 1-1/2" depth on both sides, then see what you can do with a 10lb. sledge hammer. Break the edges carefuly to be sure the break will follow the scribe. If it doesn't break cleanly at the scribe, cut a little deeper.
OPTION 2: Break out an oversized opening with a sledge hammer, and have a brick mason come in and fill in the broken block and build you a new rough opening for your door or window.