Concrete removal might seem like a home improvement project best left to the professional — but with a little know-how and forward planning, you can actually break up, remove, and dispose of concrete yourself. If you’re ready for the challenge, keep reading. We outline what concrete removal tools you need and provide a step-by-step guide on how to remove concrete below.Â
Table of content
Concrete removal tools Concrete removal safety gear Tools to break up concrete How to remove concrete Step 1. Follow safety precautions and contact your dig safe authority Step 2. Create space underneath the concrete Step 3. Break up the concrete using your tools Step 4. Pry apart broken sections Step 5. Dispose of the rubble responsibly Final concrete removal tips Concrete removal FAQs
Concrete removal tools
Before your begin your DIY project, you first need to rent, borrow, or buy the necessary tools and safety gear to handle the job safely. You’ll need different concrete removal tools based on the thickness of the concrete, its location, and the type of reinforcement used.Â
Concrete removal safety gear
Safety goggles - Protect your eyes from flying debris and dust.
Heavy-duty gloves - Shield your hands from sharp edges, rough surfaces, and potential chemical exposure.
Thick work boots - Protect your feet from falling debris and ensure your have a stable, slip-resistant footing.
Dust mask - Avoid inhaling concrete dust, which can cause respiratory issues.
Ear plugs or other hearing protection - Protect your ears from any loud noise that could lead to hearing loss.
Plastic sheeting - Contain the dust and debris within the work area, making cleanup easier and preventing damage to surrounding areas.
Tools to break up concrete
Pickaxe - Used to create initial cracks in the concrete.
Jackhammer - Used to break up large, thick concrete slabs.
Sledgehammer - Used to break up smaller sections of concrete.Pry bar - Used to lift and pry apart broken pieces of concrete.
Bolt cutters - Used to cut through any reinforcing metal bars (rebar) embedded in the concrete.
Shovel - Used to scoop up and remove broken concrete pieces and debris.
Wheelbarrow - Used to transport broken concrete pieces and debris to a disposal area.
Roll-off dumpster - Used to collect and dispose of all the broken concrete and debris.
How to remove concrete
Now that you have the necessary tools, it’s time to get to work! Note that we didn’t say concrete removal was easy. It’s tedious and challenging — but doable if you follow these steps.
Step 1. Follow safety precautions and contact your dig safe authority
Before you dig into your concrete, you need to assess the scope of the project and follow some safety precautions:
Assess the thickness of the concrete and any type of reinforcement. You will need power tools if the concrete is thicker than four inches or has rebar or wire mesh reinforcement.
Assess if the concrete connects to your home’s foundation. If it is connected, you’ll need to separate the concrete from the foundation before demolishing the concrete to protect the foundation from cracking or damage.
Contact your Dig Safe authority or local utility company to ensure it is safe to dig where your concrete is located. This may require submitting a site plan to your utility or Dig Safe authority for approval. To contact Dig Safe, dial 811 on your phone.
Remember to wear safety gear. Concrete removal can be dangerous because of the thickness of the concrete and the types of tools you will be wielding.
Schedule a roll-off dumpster for your removal day. Contact your city or waste management company about dumpster rentals and reservations.
Are you thinking about demolishing your concrete? Learn more about how we can help your construction permitting for minor improvements, planning, zoning, parking analysis, HOAs, and lots more.
Step 2. Create space underneath the concrete
Undermining the concrete before trying to break it up will make the job easier. This means clearing space underneath the concrete slab to remove any reinforcement that can withstand the tools.
To undermine concrete, you’ll need to:
Shovel underneath the concrete from the side.
Pry the concrete off and dig underneath to loosen the foundation for the slab.
Step 3. Break up the concrete using your tools
Once you undermine an area, you’re ready for the heavy-duty tools. If you have plastic sheeting, you can lay it over the concrete to contain concrete fragments that might fly away.
Using a sledgehammer or jackhammer, hit the concrete near the edge of the slab, then hit other areas of the slab surface to create cracks. If you work with thicker concrete, you’ll want to use the chisel point on a jackhammer. Always point heavy power tools away from your body. You should hammer at the concrete with a slight angle to reduce the risk of the jackhammer getting stuck in the concrete.
Step 4. Pry apart broken sections
Once the concrete has deep enough cracks, you can use your pry bar to break the slab into pieces. The larger the crack, the easier it will be to break it into smaller pieces of concrete.
If the concrete has a rebar or wire mesh reinforcement, you will need the bolt cutters to break it up. Some rebar will require strong power tools to cut it, such as an angle grinder or reciprocating saw. Commiserations if you need to cut reinforcement. This is a tedious part of concrete removal.
Step 5. Dispose of the rubble responsibly
When the concrete is in manageable pieces that you can easily lift, you’ll want to roll out your wheelbarrow. Shovel or toss the rubble into the wheelbarrow and haul it to your roll-off dumpster.
Remember that concrete is very heavy. So don’t overload your wheelbarrow to save a trip. Your back will thank you. Once you’ve cleared the area of all debris, your project is finished.
Final concrete removal tips
When you follow safety precautions and get the right tools, you can remove your concrete on your own. The work will be hard, but it is doable. Before your start, though, don’t forget to ensure that your concrete isn’t touching your foundation or utility lines. Getting a site plan for your property will help you to know where you can safely dig up concrete. Luckily, we can help with that! Order your site plan today and receive it in as little as 24 hours.Â
Concrete removal FAQs
Still not sure if you’re ready to tackle a concrete removal project on your own? We answer further questions below to help you decide.Â
How much does concrete slab removal cost?
Now that you’ve read up on how to remove concrete, you might be thinking that the project is too big a task. If that’s the case, you can always hire professionals to do this for you. We especially recommend this is you’re trying to remove thick concrete reinforced with rebar. But how much does concrete slab removal cost?
This largely depends on your location. The average cost in the US for removing concrete is between $500 and $5,000. Factors that affect the cost include:
Square footage of the concrete - The average cost per square foot is $4, with thin sections costing as little as $2 a square foot, and large, thick sections with rebar costing as much as $6 a square foot.
The thickness of the concrete slab - The thicker the concrete, the harder it is to remove. This will cost more because it requires heavier-duty equipment and more man hours.
Reinforcement of the concrete - Again, the more rebar, the harder it is to remove, so the more costly this will be.
Hiring professional labor - Labor costs vary greatly from project to project depending on the the size and thickness of the concrete. However, labor costs usually range between $1.50 and $4 a square foot.
Tool and dumpster rental - Most professionals bring their own tools and will factor this into the cost, but you may need to hire the dumpster separately.
What permits might be required for DIY concrete removal?
Depending on local regulations, you may need a permit for concrete removal, especially if it involves large areas or affects structural components of your property. Contact your local building authority or municipality for specific requirements.
How do I dispose of concrete responsibly if I don't have access to a roll-off dumpster?
If a roll-off dumpster isn't an option, consider contacting local recycling centers or construction material disposal companies that accept concrete. Some may offer pick-up services for large quantities.
What should I do if I encounter unexpected utility lines while breaking up concrete?
If you find utility lines not previously identified by the Dig Safe authority, stop work immediately and contact the utility company. Continuing without professional assessment could be hazardous.
How long does DIY concrete removal take?
The time required can vary significantly based on the size and thickness of the concrete slab, and whether it has reinforcement like rebar. A small, simple project might take a weekend, while larger, more complex removals could take several days.
Are there environmental concerns associated with breaking up concrete?
Yes, concrete removal can generate dust and debris that may be harmful if not properly managed. Use plastic sheeting and water sprays to minimize airborne dust, and ensure debris is disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
This post was originally published on 2022-09-20 by Ryan Crownholm. It was updated on 2024-06-26 to reflect the most recent data.
