Concrete Demolition Tips, Part 2 03/17/2013
Yesterday we started talking about tips for concrete removal and concrete demolition. Today we will continue with a few more tips for doing your own concrete demolition and concrete removal.
Be Careful of Flying Shrapnel and Shards of Concrete
When concrete is broken it transforms into shrapnel very quickly. Flying concrete shrapnel can ding up your siding and break glass windows and doors. I’ve seen a patio glass door explode after being hit by an idle concrete shard.
There are two ways to control flying concrete shrapnel during a concrete demolition. The old school method involves covering windows, glass doors, and siding in plywood. Those in hurricane country will already be familiar with this method because its essentially the same process as boarding up a house for a storm.
The newer and easier way to control broken concrete shrapnel is polyethylene. 6-mil Polyethylene comes on a roll and is sold at most hardware stores. Roll out the polyethylene over your work area and leave it in place as you hammer or jack hammer. The polyethylene will catch any concrete shrapnel and control a lot of concrete dust. Be careful though. polyethylene can be slick and hard to walk on. Tripping and falling during a concrete demolition job is always a bad idea, especially when a jackhammer is involved.
Hammer and Pry
Hammer and Pry isn’t just an awesome name for an 1980s Buddy Cop Show, it is also a great strategy for concrete demolition. One person hammers and breaks up the concrete slab, the other person pries with a six foot pry bar, often called a San Angelo bar and available at most tool rentals, along the edges.
Start at the corners of a concrete slab and work inwards. If the concrete doesn’t crack on the first blow, aim a few inches away and strike the concrete again. Don’t hit the concrete in the same spot twice, because all that does is chip the surface and create a cushion of fine rubble over the slab, making harder to break apart.
Use a Heavy Duty Concrete Hauler
If you opted to do your own concrete disposal, make sure you rent a heavy duty concrete hauler. Concrete is going to break your average wheel barrow and will probably wreck your back in the process.
If you get into trouble with your concrete demolition or concrete removal jobs make sure you call a licensed concrete demolition contractor. We do this for a living and can help you finish the concrete demolition you started.
March 17, 2013
