Diy manual concrete removal
A dust mask and goggles are also must-have safety items. Use your pry bar or mattock to separate the broken sections of concrete. Rebar reinforcement requires heavier cutting tools like a reciprocating saw or an angle grinder. Capitalize on large cracks to break sections into smaller pieces. The safest and most efficient method of removal is to move the concrete pieces to your dumpster gradually as you work.
Put away or return tools you no longer need and sweep or pick up smaller concrete fragments, using caution around former concrete slab location. If you have holes to fill in your yard or driveway, the rubble could be used as a filling material. If the concrete cannot be used on your property, a roll off dumpster is a convenient way to get rid of heavy debris.
Load fragments and chunks of broken concrete into a wheelbarrow to safely move them to the dumpster, taking care not to overload. From there, you can hire a crew to pour new concrete or start planning your next outdoor project like a new stone walkway or brick patio. Use your newfound concrete removal expertise to reimagine your outdoor spaces with some creative hardscaping. Have thoughts on this topic? Head over to Twitter or Facebook and use dumpstersblog to join the conversation.
Dingy vinyl or linoleum getting you down? Set the stage for brand new flooring—and save money—by tearing it out yourself. Is your backyard overgrown? Learn the best way to clear brush and undergrowth out with our how-to guide. A pickax or mattock is handy for cutting through roots, breaking up rock or shale, and scraping material out from under the slab.
Lightly sprinkle the concrete with water to minimize dust. Grasp the sledgehammer handle with your dominant hand close to the head and your other hand toward the end of the handle.
Use an arching motion with plenty of leg action to lift the hammer as high as possible but not directly over your head, and then let it fall as you slide the dominant hand down the handle.
Strike the concrete along the edge of the void you dug underneath, as though you are breaking something over the edge of a table. Repeat as needed, striking in the same place each time until the concrete breaks.
Don't apply a lot of force on the sledgehammer on the downstroke; let the hammer do the work. If anything, you can use the handle as a lever to increase the speed of the head, but don't wear yourself out trying to strike as hard as possible. The impact and weight of the head will do the job. Use a pry bar or crow bar to open cracks and separate pieces that are resistant to falling away. Force the flat end of the bar into the crack.
Pry back until you can get your gloved fingers in to pull away the piece. If the concrete slab has been reinforced with rebar or metal fabric, you may need to sever the metal bars or wires with a reciprocating saw as each piece of concrete breaks off. This is more common with driveway or patio slabs, but even sidewalks are sometimes reinforced in this way. Use a hand truck or dolly to move large chunks of concrete. A hand truck is better than a wheelbarrow because you only have to lift the chunk of concrete an inch or two to get it onto the truck.
Lift the concrete pieces carefully, using your legs and keeping the weight close to your body. Truck the pieces to your collection or disposal area. Never dispose of concrete in your regular garbage service. Most collectors will not take it. You can arrange for a dumpster through a trash pickup service, but be sure to tell them that you need it for concrete, and find out how much you can fill the dumpster.
Often a dumpster can be filled only about one-quarter full with masonry materials, which are extremely heavy. On the other hand, broken concrete does not have to be sent to the landfill. Here, a jackhammer or rotary hammer instantly pierces the surface, then can get wedged in the dirt. For thin, brittle concrete, blunt force is often best.
A jackhammer may be required depending on site conditions; a rotary hammer for sure. Mix, pour, and wait. The grout expands and breaks the concrete. Sometimes concrete is in the way, like when removing and replacing fence posts set in it.
Of course, this means the below-ground portion of the post will remain an obstruction. To get around this, wherever possible, shift the fence post layout such that you can dig new holes. For example, start with half a panel instead of a full one, bridging the existing post locations. The main vehicles for moving concrete are a wheelbarrow or hand truck. Ironically, carrying one in each hand is easier than carrying just one bucket.
For larger projects, you may consider a dumpster rental. Alternatively, a local mason or landscaper may be able to cart the concrete and recycle it— or even possibly use it on a project where fill is required. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.