How to Break Up Concrete

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You may need to break up a section of concrete to reach an underground utility in need of repair, or perhaps you're ready to turn a paved area into a green space. Whether you need to remove a whole slab or a smaller section, with the right tools and some elbow grease, you'll be able to break up the concrete and clear it out. After that, all you have to do is load up the broken concrete and take it to a suitable landfill.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Removing a Whole Slab

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  1. Always call your local utility companies to make sure there aren't any underground utilities beneath the concrete. Hire a professional if there are. Digging above a utility line like gas or electric can be very dangerous. [1]
  2. Concrete removal creates hazardous dust and sharp fragments, so protect yourself and your coworkers with safety goggles, dust masks or respirators, steel toe or other heavy boots, thick gloves, and thick clothing that covers your arms and legs. [2]
    • If you're going to be using power tools, especially a jackhammer, use ear protection. [3]
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  3. Be careful when using plastic sheets, as they can sometimes create a slipping or tripping hazard. However, sheeting can be worthwhile if you're breaking up concrete near fragile items or structures.
    • If you're breaking up concrete in a wide open area away from structures and other breakables, it's unlikely you'll need sheeting.
    • Fragments of concrete can be launched great distances by the force of your hammer and tools. When in doubt, use a cover to protect the surrounding area.
    • If you don't use plastic sheeting, protect any nearby windows and breakable objects with plywood sheets to protect the glass from concrete fragments. [4]
  4. Whether you're using a sledgehammer or jackhammer, you'll likely need to pry apart the pieces of concrete as you break them apart. Concrete removal generally goes quickest if you have one person breaking apart the concrete and another following along and prying the pieces apart. [5]
  5. If your concrete is 4 in (10 cm) thick or less, try using a sledgehammer. Start at any existing cracks or at a corner or edge, and keep in mind that thick concrete will be easiest to break closer to its outer edges.
    • Don’t try to swing the sledgehammer or lift it above your head; hold it at shoulder-height and let it fall onto the concrete, instead.
    • Use the pry bar to pull apart the chunks of concrete after you break them apart. Then, move them out of the way to eliminate trip hazards.
    • If after 10 minutes you've failed to make significant cracks or you are exhausted, you may want to try a demolition hammer.
  6. "Undermining," or removing soil beneath the slab, will make the cement break more easily. Use a shovel to clear out the soil beneath the lip of the concrete, then strike it with your hammer.
    • The more you undermine a slab, the easier it'll be to break. However, even undermining a little can significantly decrease the difficulty of breaking concrete.
    • After you’ve begun to undermine, use a garden hose to loosen the dirt and wash it out from underneath the slab.
  7. A 60-pound (27.2-kg) breaker should be sufficient for most home jobs. Only rent a heavy duty pneumatic jackhammer for extremely thick or difficult to break concrete. [6]
    • Only use a chisel point bit to break up concrete. This concentrates force, allowing the tool to break up the concrete more efficiently.
    • Let the weight of the machine do the job; it's not necessary to add force by pushing down. Forcing the bit may damage the tool or possibly wedge the bit.
    • If the concrete doesn't crack immediately, stop hammering and move over a few inches. More hammering could get the drill bit stuck.
    • Break pieces 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) away from each other to minimize chances of a stuck drill bit.
    • Use the pry bar to pull apart chunks of concrete after you crack them apart. [7]
  8. You may encounter supports inside the concrete after you start cutting. Deal with them as you separate the chunks of concrete:
    • If the concrete is held together by wire mesh or heavy, welded wire fabric, you'll need bolt cutters to snip it apart. Number 10 wire can be cut with side cutting pliers.
    • Metal reinforcing bars will take much longer to cut apart. Use a reciprocating saw or an angle grinder with a cutoff blade. [8]
  9. If chunks of concrete remain locked together, making it hard to break the surrounding area, clear the surrounding rubble. After that, you're ready to use a heavy mattock to pry locked chunks apart: [9]
    • Swing the pointed end into the crack between the two chunks and pry.
    • Once the crack is wide enough, switch to the larger flat end and pry it fully apart.
    • Pry up the opposite side of each chunk if they still won't budge.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing a Small Portion

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  1. If you are looking for a broken water or drain line and you can figure out its general location, you'll save a lot of effort and expense. Here are some things to look for:
    • For plumbing problems, try to determine the location and depth of the underground pipes. Look for an outdoor faucet, sewer cap, or use a line locator.
    • For water problems, look for areas where water is either bubbling up through cracks in the concrete or seeping out around the edges of the slab.
    • For electrical lines, you may find you have to locate the conduit outside the slab area and dig up a length of it to determine where it runs.
    • For other types of repairs, look up the construction blueprints with your municipal government or request them from the contractor who built your home.
  2. You may wish to measure distances from the slab's edge to make an even, parallel hole for less visible repairs. Use a pencil or chalk to mark off the location. [10]
    • Since you don’t know what is under the concrete, allow for plenty of room around your repair area to avoid causing further damage.
  3. If you are digging toward a specific line or pipe, shut off the power or water before you begin. You don't want to risk electrocution, flooding, or a gas leak.
    • Always call the utility company to find out the location of power lines and other dangerous items before beginning projects that involve digging. [11]
  4. the line as deeply as possible. Rent a concrete cutoff or demolition saw. Cut the line evenly to create a clean edge when your work is complete. If you are searching for a broken water pipe, you may have to enlarge the hole after the initial break is done. [12]
    • Be very cautious while sawing. These saws are powerful and can cause serious injury, property damage, or death if used incorrectly.
    • Always wear a respirator or face mask to protect your lungs from cement dust and always follow the tool's user instructions carefully.
    • Whenever possible, use a wet saw and a steady flow of water to prevent airborne dust and damage to the saw blade. [13]
  5. Use a heavy duty hammer drill or a breaking chisel attachment in a rotary hammer to chip the concrete next to the line you sawed. Tilt the chisel so the side you will be removing cracks loose, not the side you're keeping. [14]
  6. Using the same tool, work the area around the cut, penetrating deeper each time until you've reached the bottom of the slab. This is the hardest part of the job, since the pieces you break off cannot come free until there is a space for them to drop into.
    • You may need to leave tightly wedged pieces of concrete until the adjacent concrete is broken and removed. [15]
  7. Once a gap has been created between the concrete you're removing and the concrete that's staying, chip further with the same tool. Widen it to at least 3 inches (8 cm), or enough to fully remove the broken pieces.
    • Keep your chisel point slanted toward the beginning hole while you work around the perimeter of the hole, so it doesn't try to penetrate straight down.
    • If the chisel goes too deep, the bit will become lodged in its hole and will be difficult to remove.
    • If a bit is truly stuck, you may need to use a new drill bit to break the concrete around it and free it. [16]
  8. Once there is a wide enough gap to avoid damaging the concrete you wish to keep, you can use the techniques described in the section on removing a whole slab. [17]
    • Use a pry bar as you go for the quickest and most effective results.
    • Do not use a jackhammer or similar power tool if you are near a water pipe, electrical line, or gas line.
    • Remove the broken chunks of concrete from the hole as it becomes larger so you can work more comfortably and spot pipes or electrical wires more easily.
    • Use bolt cutters to snip reinforcing mesh and an angle grinder to cut through reinforcing bars.
  9. Once all the concrete is removed, chip the vertical walls of the hole to make them smooth and even. This will ensure a stronger repair (or a more attractive edge if you don't plan on replacing the concrete).
  10. If you're trying to find a damage utility such as a water pipe, look for signs as you go, such as water puddles or stains. Once you find the pipe, you may need to continue breaking concrete along its length until you find the damaged section.
    • As you approach the depth and location of the damaged line or pipe, slow down and swing your hammer more precisely to prevent further damage.
    • To protect pipes and lines, refrain from hitting your hammer on the concrete directly above their suspected location underground.
    • Avoid hitting cast iron or PVC pipes with the breaking hammer, as these are especially brittle and can easily become damaged.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Disposing of Broken Concrete

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  1. If you have a large hole in your yard, use some of the rubble to fill it back again. Cover any pipes or other objects with soil first to avoid damaging them with backfilled concrete.
  2. Move the rubble to a larger disposal container using a heavy-duty wheelbarrow. Concrete is very heavy and can break light wheelbarrows. As an alternative, you can use a hand truck. You’ll only need to move the pieces a few inches, rather than lifting them into the wheelbarrow.
    • Do not overload the wheelbarrow, or it could fall over and create additional work. Taking more trips with smaller loads will prevent you from overdoing it.
    • Consider renting a power wheelbarrow. [18]
  3. If you want to get rid of a large amount of concrete, this is your best bet. Many disposal companies have a reduced rate for disposing clean broken concrete. [19]
    • Ask in advance how full you can load it, or you'll be forced to remove the excess concrete or pay them to do so. [20]
  4. In some locations, only landfills that accept "C&D" (Construction and Demolition) materials will accept concrete. [21] The fees for landfills like this can be pricey, so it's best to check beforehand.
  5. Be careful - your truck will not carry as much concrete as you think. Use a powerful pickup truck and do not fill the entire bed. Half full will likely be fine for full-sized trucks, though a quarter full would likely be best for smaller ones. [22]
    • You can also use a utility trailer for your truck, but be especially cautious in that case. An overly heavy trailer could smash into your truck or spill. [23]
    • Building supply companies may take your old concrete for free if you call them in advance and agree to deliver it yourself.
  6. Broken concrete can be used to make a raised planting bed . You can also use pieces of concrete similar to pavers to create a footpath or stepping stones . Chunks with an interesting shape can be painted and used to make garden ornaments, too.
    • You could also arrange the pieces into a circle to create a backyard fire pit.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the safest way to break up concrete?
    Gerber Ortiz-Vega
    Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
    Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.
    Gerber Ortiz-Vega
    Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
    Expert Answer
    When you're breaking up concrete, you should always have safety glasses, gloves, and a ventilation mask. Also, it's a good idea to wear jeans, which will protect your legs better than shorts or thinner pants.
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  • Question
    What is the breaking up of concrete slabs and the planting of trees called?
    Community Answer
    I would say that's called "landscaping."
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  • Question
    How can I remove concrete 30-cm thick, which has been layed as a base for an above ground pool spa?
    Community Answer
    Size or thickness doesn't matter. You just start with the jackhammer close to the edge and continue to nibble away small pieces from the outside in and from the top down. You will not be able to split or pop-out large chunks from the center.
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      Tips

      • If you’re breaking up a sidewalk or walkway, cut into the expansion joints on either side. Not only are these areas thinner, it will be easier to pour the new concrete into the clearly-defined area.
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      • Look for specialized concrete breaking tools and accessories at tool and equipment rental stores if you only need them for a single job, as these machines are very expensive.
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      • For an area larger than 15-20 square feet (1.4-1.9 square meters), renting a jackhammer or contracting the job out to a qualified demolition person may be easiest.
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      Warnings

      • Rotary hammers have a lot of torque. Be sure to use any auxiliary handles that it is equipped with.
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      • Read all manufacturer information on tools and follow safety rules. Do not use a piece of equipment until you fully understand how to operate it safely.
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      • Wear a dust mask or respirator when dry cutting concrete and, if possible, use a wet cut system. Concrete contains silica and can harm your respiratory system. Older concrete can also contain asbestos; test before you start working if there is any doubt about its makeup.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Bolt cutters (if there is wire mesh)
      • Cutoff saw or demolition saw
      • Dust mask or respirator
      • Earplugs (if working with power tools)
      • Hammer drill
      • Heavy duty gloves, boots, and clothing
      • Large pry bar
      • Polyethylene sheets (optional)
      • Reciprocating saw or angle grinder (if there are reinforcing bars)
      • Rotary hammer
      • Safety goggles
      • Sledgehammer, electric jackhammer, or pneumatic jackhammer

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.bnproducts.com/blog/three-best-tools-break-concrete/
      2. ↑ http://www.hss.com/blog/how-to-break-and-remove-a-concrete-slab/
      3. ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-driveway/
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all/
      5. ↑ http://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all
      6. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all/
      7. ↑ https://www.hss.com/blog/uncategorised/how-to-break-and-remove-a-concrete-slab/
      8. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all/
      9. ↑ http://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-concrete/#.WZFR5Ox97IU
      2. ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-driveway/
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-concrete/#.WZFR5Ox97IU
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/how-to-cut-concrete/view-all/
      5. ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-driveway/
      6. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all/
      7. ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-driveway/
      8. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all/
      9. ↑ http://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/concrete-repair/concrete-demolition-tools-and-tips/view-all#step10
      10. ↑ http://www.bnproducts.com/blog/three-best-tools-break-concrete/
      11. ↑ http://www.revolutionarygardens.com/how-to-remove-concrete-steps-and-slabs/
      12. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/landfills/industrial-and-construction-and-demolition-cd-landfills
      13. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/buying-materials-by-the-cubic-yard-faq/
      14. ↑ http://www.bnproducts.com/blog/three-best-tools-break-concrete/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To break up concrete, start by covering the concrete with a plastic sheet to protect nearby items from flying debris. For thin slabs of concrete, use a sledgehammer to break it up. If the concrete is too thick to break up with a sledgehammer, you can use an electric jackhammer instead. Whichever tool you use, use a pry bar to lift and remove the pieces of concrete after you break them up. To learn what to do if you encounter and mesh or reinforcing bars, scroll down!

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