How to Remove Concrete Slabs
Many times during a remodeling job, the most difficult part of the project is the demolition. And one of the most dreaded demolition tasks is removing concrete slabs -- not because it requires a lot of thought, but because it can be back-breaking, labor-intensive work. When you need to remove concrete slabs, you can save quite a bit of money if you're willing to do the work yourself instead of hiring someone else. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 8- or 10-pound sledgehammer
- Chisel
- Small hand sledgehammer
- Circular saw, or a wet circular saw to reduce dust
- Diamond blade for circular saw
- Hammer drill with masonry bit
- Jackhammer (optional)
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Steel-toe shoes
- Crowbar
Instructions
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Demolition
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1
Make sure you are wearing all your safety equipment -- safety glasses, gloves, steel-toe shoes and dust mask. If you are going to be using power tools, you might want to also wear some ear protection.
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2
Using the circular saw with diamond blade, cut the concrete slab you want to remove into smaller sections. If you are only removing a portion of a slab and leaving the rest in place, you will want to cut a line to separate the two areas. Sections of about 2 feet square are manageable amounts to remove at a single time.
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3
Using the hammer drill or jackhammer, break up the concrete into smaller pieces that are easier to carry.
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4
Pry smaller, harder-to-remove pieces with a crowbar. If the crowbar does not work, use the chisel and a sledgehammer to break up the pieces even more. Start with the bigger sledgehammer, and use the smaller sledgehammer for tighter spaces.
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5
Haul away the concrete debris with a wheelbarrow or dolly. Consider renting a concrete trash bin from a local waste hauler. These bins have shorter walls than regular trash bins, making it easier to place heavy items inside.
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