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My whole back yard is concrete which I am trying to remove. I used a sledge hammer but found it very slow plus being 6 inches thick not easy. Would an electric Jack hammer do the job? Thinking of buying like a Dewalt for around $600 but wanted advice befor buying. Was quoted $3000 from a demo company so felt I could do it myself over time.

2006-10-30 15:44:41 · 21 answers · asked by dony686 2 in Home & Garden Do It Yourself (DIY)

21 answers

Assuming that the concrete has expansion joints, If you can get a large crow bar and a fulcrum of some sort and pry an edge up an set it on a rock or brick one section at a time, you can break it up fairly easily, into chunks you can carry, with a 5 pounder. Let the hammer do the work. Once you get it off the ground, tap along the line you want it to break on a number of times and it will break on that line. You don't have to break a sweat. Pry up an end and tap tap tap. Pry up an end and tap tap tap and so on until you're done. You will hear it when it's about to break.

Be very careful when you get the crow bar under you. It will pop up and knock you out or get some teeth. Don't leave the end of the bar under the concrete when you get something under it. Never put your fingers or hands under the concrete when you get it off the ground. If you have to work alone, use a 2X4 or something to kick under the slab when you get it up.

Be careful when you get the crow bar under you.

2006-10-30 17:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 2

If you live where Day laborers hang out to be picked up for a days work, find it, or seek out a couple of guys with a strong back, and break it up- there labor will be about the same as buying the Electric hammer- 6 inch concrete in the back yard- what the hell were they doing making a Run Way. Disposal is another matter, you cannot fill up a Dumpster with Concrete either. I did the same thing around a Swimming pool one time- what a job.

2006-10-30 21:13:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

How To Break Up Concrete

2016-11-07 05:04:46 · answer #3 · answered by als 4 · 0 0

an electric jack hammer will work with a chisel bit, but the amount of time it will take will not make it cost effective in the long run.
you can go to united rentals or 40rents or such, and rent a compressor and 60 pound jack hammer and break it up in one day. you then have the task of removal/disposal.
another option is to rent a bobcat with a concrete breaker. the bobcat and breaker should be about 300 dollars, depending on your location, and can do the job effortlessly in a couple hours. you can get the cat delivered, or its cheaper to pick it up yourself if you have a way to tow it on the trailer they provide. you can also get a grapple bucket for removing the concrete and leveling the dirt when concrete is finished.
bobcats are quite easy to operate and can be learned in a short period of time.
a suggestion: if you break the concrete up in the right sizes you can use it to construct retainer walls for raised gardens or flower beds and such. if you list it for free on craigslist.com you may find someone who wants it for just that.

2006-10-30 16:55:38 · answer #4 · answered by paul d 2 · 2 0

hire a guy with a jack hammer ,the neighbours will hate you for a couple of days but it does the job ,they are too expensive to buy for one job ,or rent one
the electric ones are not strong enough
why do you need to remove it ,this maybe a case of let sleeping dogs lie ,it is going to make a mountain full 0f rubbish ,do yo want to make a garden instead,
then just make holes for the trees and dump half a meter or more of soil on top of the rest of the concrete for flower beds ,or vegatables
the underlying concrete will conserve water use .have the water close to the top and you can make beautiful flower beds ,when the trees get big they will further break the concrete

leave the paths concrete (ready made paths )contain the soil with in a wall of the concrete you break ,or bricks ,or logs

2006-10-30 15:58:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

Sledgehammering is a great workout!!!

One never knows just how much of know-how DIYers have. So I'm going to assumethat you are proabaly biting off more that you can chew and proceed........Hopefully I don't insult your intel.

The DeWalt and similar-priced models are designed like a drill for wall/cinder block demolition. Honestly, you'll look stupid bending over with one of these little things-- and it will take forever. You'd be earning yourself about $2-4 an hour. And I hope your free time is worth more than that.

You need something heavier (with two handles) for slab removal. Like a Bosch or Hitachi, these hammer's cost between $1200-1800. And that's too much to pay for one job -- whatever your DIY pride may be.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_3_6/103-4915892-3379040?ie=UTF8&keywords=hammer&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahammer%2Ci%3Atools%2Cn%3A228013%2Cp%5F3%3A%241000-%241999&page=1

I'd still advise hiring it done. Much of that $3000 bid is for removal from site. Not sure about the market for construction labor in your area, but that sounds reasonable.

Equipment + Experience + Debris Transport + Time
(you get what you pay for)
Trust me, I'm contractor and also have major DIY issues. I've learned that some things, you just swallow and hire someone else to do.

Keep in mind that even with a jack-hammer, efficient slab demolition still requires al ot of sledge-hammer work and hands-on debris removal

2006-10-30 16:39:16 · answer #6 · answered by Hondo for President 2 · 0 0

Sounds like you have a good idea to save money. But I recall seeing a landscape with broken concrete stacked with the jagged edges facing the street. It was really quite attractive. So, place an ad on craigslist that you are giving away 1000 square feet of landscape concrete. Pick-up and haul-away.

2006-10-30 17:29:08 · answer #7 · answered by Sociallyinquisitive 3 · 1 0

Yeah, rent a jackhammer. The $3,000.00 from a demo company might be worth it if they haul away the busted up concrete for you. Call around to the landfill sites near you. You may find it costly, & tedious getting rid of a whole back yards worth of busted up concrete & rebar on youir own.

2006-10-31 06:54:15 · answer #8 · answered by No More 7 · 0 0

Best to hire a jackhammer from a machinery hire company. That should make your life a little easier. You should also consider hiring a mini digger to remove the broken concrete, saves your back :)

2006-10-30 23:49:28 · answer #9 · answered by Vedderist 1 · 0 0

Yes you are correct to assume that a jackhammer will ease the process. Although, i would not reccommend buying a new or used unit. Check your local yellow pages for equipment rental centers. Renting one would be your best bet. Usually you can rent one for a weekend for $150 -$200

2006-10-31 06:57:59 · answer #10 · answered by singer 2 · 0 0

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