Concrete is
everywhere from buildings, pavements,
parks, to green spaces, and so on. Concrete is something certain in our modern
life. Concrete is a durable material. But, what happens when a new structure
needs to be built over existing concrete? The fact is, concrete is
known to be challenging and gruelling to
break apart. If concrete contains steel rebar, then more so.
Construction and
demolition companies rely on heavy tools and machinery to help with the
demolition process. The need to use tools such as demolition hammers,
sledgehammers, and power breakers is a must, making the job Brisbane concrete demolition
possible. However, a demolition job is more successful if there is the mighty
jackhammer tool.
Are you planning
to expand your garden by breaking apart the concrete layer on top to expose the
dirt underneath or by removing your concrete patio? You have two options to accomplish that; do
it yourself or hire professionals to do the job for you. If you want to
demolish concrete by yourself and do things your way, here are some tips to
make the Brisbane concrete demolition easier.
Scope the Area
Inspect the
targeted are for demolition. Determine the thickness of the concrete. Use a
sledgehammer to blow it into the slab. If the slab does not budge after many
blows, it is likely to be too thick for a sledgehammer. Instead, use a
jackhammer for extremely thick concrete.
Rubble Disposal
Make arrangements
with a concrete recycler or waste disposal company to take the rubble away. A
disposal container is necessary for large projects. The disposal company could
provide a disposal container for you. It helps to know concrete dimension or
thickness so they can estimate the container size.
Cover the Area
Cover the area
with a sheet of plastic before you use a sledgehammer or jackhammer on the
concrete slab. This prevents the
projectile or shrapnel flying in all directions during the demolition
process. This
also lowers the risks of injury and damage to other structures. You still need
to wear a respirator and make sure to wear work boots to avoid accidents and
slips.
Pry It Out
Do not start
hammering away at the concrete, as the earth below will absorb the force from
every blow. For more efficient concrete breaking, work with the sledgehammer
and ask another person to use a pry bar to pry the concrete. Begin at the
corners and work your way inward.
Separate Sections
After you break
the concrete apart, the chunks of the slab
will continue to be locked together. This
causes the concrete demolition job to be more challenging to work on the
surrounding areas. Make use of a mattock to separate the chunks to help make
the process of breaking much easier.
Ask the Help of the Professionals
While you want to
do everything all alone, it is highly recommended to hire the services of the
professionals. This will increase things
up, and the expert hands can also help in the removal of the debris away from
the site.
