How to Remove Concrete Slabs

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.

Instructions

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

Demolition

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.

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.

3

Using the hammer drill or jackhammer, break up the concrete into smaller pieces that are easier to carry.

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.

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 

Posted in: Concrete,design,slabs