{
  "url": "https://havedumptruckwilltravel.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-concrete-patio",
  "path": "/blog/how-to-remove-a-concrete-patio",
  "title": "How to Remove a Concrete Patio or Slab | Have Dumptruck Will Travel",
  "description": "Planning concrete removal and completing the hard physical labor isn’t for everyone. Learn the steps to do the job thoroughly and safely.",
  "heading": "Heavy Hauling: How to Remove a Concrete Patio",
  "content": "Heavy Hauling: How to Remove a Concrete Patio\n\nView Larger Image\n\nConcrete patios can become worn over time, making them unsafe and unusable. Even so, it isn’t always easy to know when it’s time to remove or repair an old concrete patio. Learning what to look for with an existing concrete patio is the first step towards creating a more suitable space.\n\nSigns of a Distressed Concrete Patio\n\nProblems that typically only require minor repairs include:\n\nChips\nFlaking\nHairline fractures\nOverlays\nStains\n\nConcrete patios are more likely to have serious structural issues with these problems:\n\nDeeply set or wide cracks\nFrost heave causing raised and broken concrete\nMuch of the surface area has a flaky appearance\nSettling of the concrete material\n\nTools Required to Break Up Concrete Slabs\n\nHomeowners will need several tools and other pieces of equipment to remove concrete slabs. Here are the tools required:\n\nBolt cutters\nHand truck or wheelbarrow\nMaddock\nPry bar\nShovel\nSledgehammer weighing 12 to 20 pounds\n\nAdditional items to gather before starting the concrete demolition process include:\n\nDropcloth or plastic sheeting\nDust mask\nGloves\nHearing protection\nSafety glasses\nSteel-toed boots\n\nHomeowners should determine how they will dispose of the broken concrete slabs before demolishing them. Most local governments don’t allow people to throw broken concrete in the garbage due to the weight. One option is to rent a dumpster and haul the concrete away at the end of the project. Another is to reuse the materials in other areas around the home.\n\nPreparing to Remove a Concrete Patio\n\nEven after securing the proper tools and equipment, homeowners aren’t quite ready to start breaking up their concrete patio. First, they need to place plywood over plastic siding and windows to prevent damage from a flying piece of concrete. Secondly, some city governments require a permit before starting this type of work. A call to the utility company is also in order to ensure no gas lines lie beneath the surface of the patio.\n\nConcrete Patio Removal Steps\n\nSand or dirt underneath concrete slabs can soften the blow from the sledgehammer and make the patio harder to break into pieces. To avoid this, homeowners should dig under the slab to create a void. It’s easier to lift smaller slab pieces with a pry bar after creating a few cracks. The pry bar goes underneath the slab for easier lifting. The homeowner should shovel two inches deep and approximately four to six inches from the slab’s edge.\n\nNow it’s time to lay a piece of plastic over the concrete and start pounding with a sledgehammer. Placing one hand near the base and one near the hammer’s head makes for more efficient swinging. The homeowner should lift the sledgehammer high but not over the head. It’s also important to avoid swinging the sledgehammer since this could cause serious injury.\n\nThe third step is to remove broken concrete slabs after pulling them apart. The mattock comes in handy to break the loosened concrete slabs into smaller pieces. Any wire mesh embedded in the concrete will need to be cut with bolt cutters. The debris is now ready to place in a wheelbarrow.\n\nPlanning concrete removal and completing the hard physical labor isn’t for everyone. Homeowners should consider hiring a professional if they just don’t feel up to the task.\n\nBy kayvan|June 18th, 2020|Homeowner Tips|Comments Off on Heavy Hauling: How to Remove a Concrete Patio\n\nShare This Story, Choose Your Platform!\n\nFacebookXRedditLinkedInTumblrPinterestVkEmail\n\nRecent Posts\n\nSpring into Action with Have Dumptruck Will Travel!\n\nYour Go-To Solution for Dirt and Concrete Removal!\n\nUnwanted: How to Remove a Hot Tub or Jacuzzi\n\nDIY Tips for Backyard Drainage Solutions\n\nHow to Excavate & Construct an In-Ground Trampoline\n\nArchives\n\nMarch 2024\n\nDecember 2023\n\nSeptember 2022\n\nNovember 2021\n\nOctober 2021\n\nMarch 2021\n\nNovember 2020\n\nSeptember 2020\n\nAugust 2020\n\nJune 2020\n\nJanuary 2020\n\nSeptember 2019\n\nSeptember 2018\n\nCategories\n\nconcreate removal\n\ndirt removal\n\nHomeowner Tips\n\nUncategorized",
  "word_count": 649
}