How to Jackhammer a Driveway

Aside from concrete removal, jackhammers can also be used to remove brick structures.

Having a professional remove a concrete driveway can costs thousands of dollars. A jackhammer can be rented from most equipment rental facilities for a few hundred dollars a day, saving thousands of dollars in labor. Jackhammers can be used to break up a driveway in either large pieces, which can be scooped up with a skid loader, or into smaller, shovel-sized pieces.

Things You'll Need

• Jackhammer

Instructions

1. Begin jackhammering along the edge of the concrete driveway. The concrete along the edge is typically the weakest point and provides less resistance.

2. Firmly hold onto the jackhammer with two hands.

3. Point the jackhammer straight down into the concrete.

4. Adjust the blade of the jackhammer so it chisels away the concrete at a 45-degree angle.

5. Use the blade of the jackhammer like a crow bar, lifting and moving the broken pieces of concrete away from the unhammered areas.

6. Move along the edge of the driveway until the entire edge has been jackhammered.

7. Continue jackhammering, working towards the center of the driveway. Once the center has been reached, begin jackhammering from the other outside edge of the driveway.

8. Clean up the broken concrete with a shovel or heavy equipment, such as a skid loader.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid injury by wearing eye, ear and respiratory protection.

• Wear good foot protection, such as steel-toe boots.

• Do not touch the jackhammer bit, it gets very hot.

• If the jackhammer gets warm, stop and give it a break.

• Using a jackhammer requires a certain amount of strength. Test the jackhammer and any physical restrictions in soft soil or sand before attempting on concrete.

References

• Learnhowtoremove.com: How to Remove Concrete
• Builder Bill: Jackhammer, Demolition Breaker