We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The question is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8" thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it up, it will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and start it
breaking up.

Ooops....meant to say if I "can't bust it up, it will have to stay in
place.........."

On Tue, 3 May 2005 10:55:14 -0500, "RB"
wrote:

We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The question is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8" thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it up, it will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and start it
breaking up.


Yes, it will bust it up. Always!

It likely has some steel in it and will tend to hold together
somewhat so have at it.

A sledge hammer "will" eventually start to break it up, but it may take more
energy and time than you have. Sort of like those people who pounded on the
Berlin Wall for days and weeks, and eventually broke through.

I think renting the biggest electric jackhammer you can find would work
faster. Even it will take some muscle power and time to do some damage to 8"
thick concrete. Hopefully it is a weak mix concrete, and not one of those
extremely hard batches.


"RB" wrote in message
...
Ooops....meant to say if I "can't bust it up, it will have to stay in
place.........."

On Tue, 03 May 2005 12:13:29 -0500, JimL wrote:

On Tue, 3 May 2005 10:55:14 -0500, "RB"
wrote:

We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The question is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8" thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it up, it will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and start it
breaking up.


Yes, it will bust it up. Always!

It likely has some steel in it and will tend to hold together
somewhat so have at it.

I rented an electric jackhammer when I needed to bust up my kitchen
floor. Keep that in mind during your ordeal..

Yes, it shouldn't be too hard to a step that size with a sledge.

RB wrote:
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The
question is whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8"
thickness and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it up,
it will have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance
for a short interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there
in one piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and
start it breaking up.


It will take some work, but chances are you will be able to do it. The
only think I could not get though was a 4 foot single pour cube. My uncle
was a strange man. Nice man, but strange. :-) I hope to be remembered
just like him.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Yes you'll be able to bust it up

My suggestion get a 20 year old to do it for you or use an electric
jack hammer.

If you use the sledge, distribute the blows evenly, hitting it about
every 6 inches or so; repeatedly. (will you be able to keep up the
sledge hammering for MANY minutes without tiring?)

Continuing this process, you will eventually break the thing up into
manageable pieces rather than rubble.

Concentrating the blow will locally fragment & destroy the concrete
while leaving the remainder intact.

I feel tired jsut thinking ou the last time I did this.

cheers
Bob

RB wrote:
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The
question is whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8"
thickness and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it up,
it will have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance
for a short interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there
in one piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and
start it breaking up.

Drill hole.
Pound wedge.

Alternate:

Drill hole(s).
Insert wood wedges.
Fill with water.

i've been doing quite a bit of this lately.
you can maybe break it up with a hammer, but i wouldn't try it unless you
have
a large prybar to get under one end of the slab to lift slightly. without a
bit of
air gap under the slab, it could be very tough going.
if no big prybar, rent an electric breaker hammer.
btw, the electric hammers are kind of fun.

bill

"RB" wrote in message
...
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The question
is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8" thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it up, it
will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and start it
breaking up.

"RB" wrote in message
...
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The question
is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8" thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

Sure it will. How old are you and do you have any plans for the next five
or ten years?

Wear safety glasses while doing it so you don't go blind.

Stretch

bill a wrote:
i've been doing quite a bit of this lately.
you can maybe break it up with a hammer, but i wouldn't try it unless
you
have
a large prybar to get under one end of the slab to lift slightly.
without a
bit of
air gap under the slab, it could be very tough going.
if no big prybar, rent an electric breaker hammer.
btw, the electric hammers are kind of fun.

bill

"RB" wrote in message
...
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The
question
is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8"
thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it
up, it
will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a
short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one
piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and
start it
breaking up.



That is the answer if you are going to use a sledge. Pry up and block
one end up an inch or so. The whole trick is to get clearance under it
and put it under at least some stress. Keep hitting a line across the
the block. You don't need to use round-house, full power swings.
Solid blows concentrated along the same line will crack it sooner that
you think. I have removed 3 very solid sidewalks (one 6" thick) this
way, removed a complete set of steps 3 high,and a 8" thick knee high
school foundation including the footings using the same method. The
steps were about 4" thick poured over rock filling.
I broke em up to sizes I figured I could manhandle. Fortunately none
had rebar it it. Be sure to wear a face mask - there is going to be a
lot of fragments flying fast. Something very satifying (as well as
sweaty) to the work. Thrilling to hear a dull 'thud' vice sharp ring
as it cracks.

Harry K

last time i busted up concrete, i rented the jackhammer everyone's talking
about. paid 40 USD for 4 hours. worth every penny of it

"Harry K" wrote in message
oups.com...

bill a wrote:
i've been doing quite a bit of this lately.
you can maybe break it up with a hammer, but i wouldn't try it unless
you
have
a large prybar to get under one end of the slab to lift slightly.
without a
bit of
air gap under the slab, it could be very tough going.
if no big prybar, rent an electric breaker hammer.
btw, the electric hammers are kind of fun.

bill

"RB" wrote in message
...
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The
question
is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8"
thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it
up, it
will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a
short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one
piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and
start it
breaking up.



That is the answer if you are going to use a sledge. Pry up and block
one end up an inch or so. The whole trick is to get clearance under it
and put it under at least some stress. Keep hitting a line across the
the block. You don't need to use round-house, full power swings.
Solid blows concentrated along the same line will crack it sooner that
you think. I have removed 3 very solid sidewalks (one 6" thick) this
way, removed a complete set of steps 3 high,and a 8" thick knee high
school foundation including the footings using the same method. The
steps were about 4" thick poured over rock filling.
I broke em up to sizes I figured I could manhandle. Fortunately none
had rebar it it. Be sure to wear a face mask - there is going to be a
lot of fragments flying fast. Something very satifying (as well as
sweaty) to the work. Thrilling to hear a dull 'thud' vice sharp ring
as it cracks.

Harry K

Ah, the list grows.

Carrying scissors with the points up
running with sharp sticks
looking at an eclipse
self abuse
playing with a BB gun

and now breaking concrete. Hey, if I see a guy with a guide dog should I
walk up to him and ask if he was busting concrete?

More seriously, yes eye and ear protection is essential.

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com


"stretch" wrote in message
oups.com...
Wear safety glasses while doing it so you don't go blind.

Stretch

I had to break up a 16x8x6 slab some years ago.

Started out by hand and as some of the slab had already cracked and settled
it was easy enough to get a wedge under pieces as was previously suggested.
As the demo continued I discovered that the slab covered a set of patio
steps. These things laughed at my sledgehammer. Whoever poured them must
of wanted to finish up the concrete they had because these things were
massively overbuilt.

Headed to the rental place and rented an electric jackhammer. I forget how
much that was for 4hrs but it was in the neighborhood of $30. It went
through the steps in no time and made me realize how stupid I'd been to do
the slab by hand.

Spend the money and rent a jackhammer. You won't regret it.

ml

"Harry K" wrote in message

That is the answer if you are going to use a sledge. Pry up and block
one end up an inch or so. The whole trick is to get clearance under it
and put it under at least some stress. Keep hitting a line across the
the block. You don't need to use round-house, full power swings.
Solid blows concentrated along the same line will crack it sooner that
you think. I have removed 3 very solid sidewalks (one 6" thick) this
way, removed a complete set of steps 3 high,and a 8" thick knee high
school foundation including the footings using the same method. The
steps were about 4" thick poured over rock filling.
I broke em up to sizes I figured I could manhandle. Fortunately none
had rebar it it. Be sure to wear a face mask - there is going to be a
lot of fragments flying fast. Something very satifying (as well as
sweaty) to the work. Thrilling to hear a dull 'thud' vice sharp ring
as it cracks.

Yep. Get it off the ground with a prybar, whack it with a 16 lb sledge. It
ain't half as hard as it sounds. I took out a 20'x 2' sidewalk in an
afternoon and ended up with a bunch of nice landscape blocks.

http://www.elementcasting.com/addition.htm

I am about to start the same project -- removing a long concrete sidewalk
that slopes the wrong way. I have to be careful because it's next to a
section of new paving blocks that I don't want to damage. The sidewalk
already has a couple of breaks in it, and my plan was to use a diamond blade
in an angle grinder or a portable saw to score the concrete a couple of feet
away from one of the breaks, then use a mason's chisel to deepen the score
line before using a sledge to break it up. I figured once I got the first
sections out the rest would come a lot easier.

Did you try cutting or scoring the concrete before removal or did you just
go out and whack it apart? TIA -- Regards --

"Harry K" wrote in message
oups.com...

bill a wrote:
i've been doing quite a bit of this lately.
you can maybe break it up with a hammer, but i wouldn't try it unless
you
have
a large prybar to get under one end of the slab to lift slightly.
without a
bit of
air gap under the slab, it could be very tough going.
if no big prybar, rent an electric breaker hammer.
btw, the electric hammers are kind of fun.

bill

"RB" wrote in message
...
We have a massive concrete step that I'm going to replace. The
question
is
whether or not I can bust it up with a sledge, in place.

The piece is 3'W x 4'L x 8"Thick.

Will whacking on it with a sledge finally break through that 8"
thickness
and start shattering pieces off?

The reason I'm asking before trying is because, if I can bust it
up, it
will
have to stay in place and maintain function and appearance for a
short
interval until I can figure out how to rig it out there in one
piece.

I'm hoping sledge blows will put fault lines though the mass and
start it
breaking up.



That is the answer if you are going to use a sledge. Pry up and block
one end up an inch or so. The whole trick is to get clearance under it
and put it under at least some stress. Keep hitting a line across the
the block. You don't need to use round-house, full power swings.
Solid blows concentrated along the same line will crack it sooner that
you think. I have removed 3 very solid sidewalks (one 6" thick) this
way, removed a complete set of steps 3 high,and a 8" thick knee high
school foundation including the footings using the same method. The
steps were about 4" thick poured over rock filling.
I broke em up to sizes I figured I could manhandle. Fortunately none
had rebar it it. Be sure to wear a face mask - there is going to be a
lot of fragments flying fast. Something very satifying (as well as
sweaty) to the work. Thrilling to hear a dull 'thud' vice sharp ring
as it cracks.

Harry K

Update: got that thing out of there no problem this morning with a sledge
hammer. Raised one edge with 2x4 under it and started whacking away. Took
about 5 good licks and the thing split in half. Then, we busted up the
halves.

If that hadn't worked, I'd have gone for an electric jackhammer.

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts.

RB wrote:
Update: got that thing out of there no problem this morning with a
sledge
hammer. Raised one edge with 2x4 under it and started whacking away.
Took
about 5 good licks and the thing split in half. Then, we busted up
the
halves.

If that hadn't worked, I'd have gone for an electric jackhammer.

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts.

Amazing things can be done with the old fashioned (manual) tools. We
are a culture that is into power and ease. I sometimes think that
people are actually scared of doing a bit of manual labor.

Harry K