Before I head into the basement this weekend, I thought I'd better see
if there was any advice on my two concrete removal projects I have
ahead of me.

The first project is to break up/remove a concrete shower base that is
about 36"l x 32"w x 4"h. I believe previous owners poured this slab
directly over the existing basement floor and I'm not sure if there is
rebar in there or not - haven't seen any signs of it yet but that may
not mean much. I've managed to remove a bit from the outer edges with
a hammer and cement chisel but I've reached a point where I can't seem
to get any more to break off. I was thinking of renting a jackhammer
in hopes the job would go quicker. I'm most concerned about going to
far and start breaking up the basement floor. Would you recommend a
chisel or a point?

The second project is to break up/remove a piece of raised concrete
poured under my stairs. The stairs start in the basement, go up 13
stairs to a landing at the back door and then turn to go up 4 stairs to
the main floor. This piece of concrete is about 36"l x 6"w x 4"h and
appears to be lined up under the one side of the landing. However,
there is no support beam of any type that would indicate this piece of
cement was supposed to be part of a support system. I would like to
remove this piece of cement to make the floor smooth. Should I be
removing this piece of concrete or just build a some sort of raised
floor over it?

Thanks a million for the suggestions and any tips you have on how to
approach these jobs.

L

Sorry for the second posting - the server went down without any
indication this message was posted the first time.


wrote:
Before I head into the basement this weekend, I thought I'd better see
if there was any advice on my two concrete removal projects I have
ahead of me.

The first project is to break up/remove a concrete shower base that is
about 36"l x 32"w x 4"h. I believe previous owners poured this slab
directly over the existing basement floor and I'm not sure if there is
rebar in there or not - haven't seen any signs of it yet but that may
not mean much. I've managed to remove a bit from the outer edges with
a hammer and cement chisel but I've reached a point where I can't seem
to get any more to break off. I was thinking of renting a jackhammer
in hopes the job would go quicker. I'm most concerned about going to
far and start breaking up the basement floor. Would you recommend a
chisel or a point?

The second project is to break up/remove a piece of raised concrete
poured under my stairs. The stairs start in the basement, go up 13
stairs to a landing at the back door and then turn to go up 4 stairs to
the main floor. This piece of concrete is about 36"l x 6"w x 4"h and
appears to be lined up under the one side of the landing. However,
there is no support beam of any type that would indicate this piece of
cement was supposed to be part of a support system. I would like to
remove this piece of cement to make the floor smooth. Should I be
removing this piece of concrete or just build a some sort of raised
floor over it?

Thanks a million for the suggestions and any tips you have on how to
approach these jobs.

L

wrote:
Before I head into the basement this weekend, I thought I'd better see
if there was any advice on my two concrete removal projects I have
ahead of me.

The first project is to break up/remove a concrete shower base that is
about 36"l x 32"w x 4"h. I believe previous owners poured this slab
directly over the existing basement floor and I'm not sure if there is
rebar in there or not - haven't seen any signs of it yet but that may
not mean much. I've managed to remove a bit from the outer edges with
a hammer and cement chisel but I've reached a point where I can't seem
to get any more to break off. I was thinking of renting a jackhammer
in hopes the job would go quicker. I'm most concerned about going to
far and start breaking up the basement floor. Would you recommend a
chisel or a point?

The second project is to break up/remove a piece of raised concrete
poured under my stairs. The stairs start in the basement, go up 13
stairs to a landing at the back door and then turn to go up 4 stairs to
the main floor. This piece of concrete is about 36"l x 6"w x 4"h and
appears to be lined up under the one side of the landing. However,
there is no support beam of any type that would indicate this piece of
cement was supposed to be part of a support system. I would like to
remove this piece of cement to make the floor smooth. Should I be
removing this piece of concrete or just build a some sort of raised
floor over it?

Thanks a million for the suggestions and any tips you have on how to
approach these jobs.

L

I would rent a demo hammer and use a chisel point. if the shower was
poured on top of the slab, it should be very easy to find the joint
between the shower base and slab and cleanly seperate the two.

the second project is harder to say. some pictures would help. could
it be a footing that is no longer used? if it is a footing, it will be
much harder to remove, i'm thinking. but it's anyone's guess.

marson wrote:
wrote:
Before I head into the basement this weekend, I thought I'd better see
if there was any advice on my two concrete removal projects I have
ahead of me.

The first project is to break up/remove a concrete shower base that is
about 36"l x 32"w x 4"h. I believe previous owners poured this slab
directly over the existing basement floor and I'm not sure if there is
rebar in there or not - haven't seen any signs of it yet but that may
not mean much. I've managed to remove a bit from the outer edges with
a hammer and cement chisel but I've reached a point where I can't seem
to get any more to break off. I was thinking of renting a jackhammer
in hopes the job would go quicker. I'm most concerned about going to
far and start breaking up the basement floor. Would you recommend a
chisel or a point?

The second project is to break up/remove a piece of raised concrete
poured under my stairs. The stairs start in the basement, go up 13
stairs to a landing at the back door and then turn to go up 4 stairs to
the main floor. This piece of concrete is about 36"l x 6"w x 4"h and
appears to be lined up under the one side of the landing. However,
there is no support beam of any type that would indicate this piece of
cement was supposed to be part of a support system. I would like to
remove this piece of cement to make the floor smooth. Should I be
removing this piece of concrete or just build a some sort of raised
floor over it?

Thanks a million for the suggestions and any tips you have on how to
approach these jobs.

L

I would rent a demo hammer and use a chisel point. if the shower was
poured on top of the slab, it should be very easy to find the joint
between the shower base and slab and cleanly seperate the two.

the second project is harder to say. some pictures would help. could
it be a footing that is no longer used? if it is a footing, it will be
much harder to remove, i'm thinking. but it's anyone's guess.

As Marson suggested. Rent a rotohammer and bring hkome both a spade
and a point. I suspect a point will work better if the the pour isn't
sealed to the old slab. The other one is likely to be a problem as it
sounds like it was once a footing, may go through the basement floor.
If so, chisel away and patch later.

Harry K