That grotto repair in Austin went sideways when my angle grinder kicked up a chunk of concrete

I was patching a pool grotto last Tuesday and the concrete had this weird rebar tie that I didn't see. The grinder caught it and flung a chunk right into my shin, left a gash that needed 6 stitches. Has anyone else dealt with hidden metal in old concrete repairs and how do you check for it beforehand?

2 comments

2 Comments

wrenh651mo ago

6 stitches seems like a lot for a little chunk of concrete. Sounds more like you just nicked yourself good with the grinder itself. A magnet sweep is your best bet, but honestly most hidden rebar isn't gonna cause a blowout that serious unless you're really pushing the tool.

ray1891mo ago

Could be right about the grinder, but even a small chunk of concrete hitting the wrong spot can open you up pretty bad? I've seen guys lose a lot of blood from a simple kickback that sent a piece straight into their forearm. Either way, a magnet sweep is cheap insurance against a nasty surprise, especially if you're working near old footings or walls.