How to Break up Concrete by Hand

Breaking up concrete by hand is a labor-intensive process, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be accomplished efficiently. There are several reasons you may need to break up concrete yourself, such as removing old damaged concrete before pouring new, or breaking up an existing slab to make way for landscaping or a new addition. We will walk through the entire process step-by-step, from gathering necessary supplies to cleanup. Follow these techniques and safety precautions for successful DIY concrete removal.

Gather the Proper Equipment

Breaking up concrete requires striking force, so you need heavy-duty tools specifically designed for the job. Never attempt to break concrete with standard household tools – they can shatter and send shards flying. Below are the must-have items:

Sledgehammer – A 10-15lb sledgehammer provides necessary striking power. Choose one with a long handle for maximum leverage.
Masonry Chisel – A thick, hardened steel masonry chisel will chip away concrete when struck. A 2 inch wide tip works well.
Steel Pry Bar – A sturdy 4-5 foot pry bar gives leverage for loosening and lifting chunks. Flat or pointed tips both work.
Shovel & Pickaxe – Use these for clearing and leveling debris. A round pointed shovel head penetrates best.
Hammer Drill – To drive in chisel/pry bar for added force. A rotary hammer drill works even better.
Dust Mask – Crucial for protecting lungs from concrete dust. An N95 respirator mask filters out particles.
Eye Protection – Safety glasses or goggles prevent eye injuries from flying chips and dust.
Ear Plugs – Reduce noise from hammering which can damage hearing over time.
Gloves – Leather gloves protect hands from abrasions and vibration fatigue.
Steel Toe Boots – Prevent crushed toes from dropped tools and debris.
Knee Pads – Cushion knees when kneeling on hard, uneven concrete.

Prepare the Work Area

Concrete removal is messy work, so prep the site appropriately:

Clear Area – Remove any items/debris from work zone to improve access and safety.
Mark Utilities – Identify any wiring, plumbing or gas lines, and shut off if necessary.
Setup Barrier – Use caution tape, cones or fencing to keep others away from flying debris.
Pre-Soak Concrete – Using a hose or sprinkler system, soak the slab thoroughly. This softens it for easier breaking.
Have Water Available – Keep a hose or bucket of water to wet down dust and prevent it spreading. Set up proper drainage.
Check Weather Conditions – Avoid rain or high winds which can spread concrete dust everywhere.

Break Up Concrete Safely

With your gear ready and the site prepped, it’s time to start breaking! Use these safe, strategic techniques:

Outline Removal Area

Using a chalk line or lumber crayon, outline the boundaries of where you will break up concrete. This helps guide the work.

Score Concrete Surface

Use the masonry chisel and sledgehammer in tandem to score (create cracks in) the slab within removal area.
Space chisel holes about 6 inches apart in grid pattern. Striking chisel drives cracks through slab.
Aim hammer blows near edge of chisel to transfer force. Let weight of sledge do the work, avoid full power swings.
Wear eye and ear protection – hammer and chisel cause chips and loud noise.

Insert Pry Bar

Once scoring is complete, insert pry bar into chisel holes and gaps between slabs.
Use hammer drill to drive pry bar deeper if needed. Angled tip pry bars work best.
Rock bar back and forth to widen cracks and separate concrete. Repeat across removal area.

Break Up and Remove Chunks

Position pry bar under slabs and lift up to break pieces loose. Start at edges and corners.
Once loosened, strike edges with sledgehammer to break chunks free.Aim for natural fault lines and cracks.
Lifting and swinging the sledgehammer fully engages core muscles – lift with legs to avoid back strain.
If concrete won’t break loose, re-score surface or use pickaxe to open more crevices.
Remove chunks as you go and clear them from the work area. This improves access and safety.

Continue Until Completely Removed

Systematically chip, pry and sledgehammer away all concrete within outlined removal area.
Use shovel to load chunks into wheelbarrow. Transport to disposal area.
For thick slabs, break into several thinner layers. This is easier than attempting to break out full depth.
If cracking concrete with jackhammer, wear breathing & ear protection. Use water to control dust.

Level and Smooth Site

Once old concrete is fully removed, use shovel and pickaxe to smooth and level the site.
Compact any loose dirt or gravel. This evens the surface for pouring new concrete or other uses.
Hose down the work area to wash away dusty residue when finished breaking concrete.

Cleanup and Safety Tips

Breaking up concrete creates large amounts of debris and dust. Use these precautions when cleaning up:

Deposit Debris Properly – Load broken concrete into wheelbarrows and haul to appropriate disposal or recycling facility.
Hose Down Area – Wash off dust, chips and particles from the work zone and surrounding areas. Avoid using compressed air which can spread dust.
Dispose of Dust Properly – Avoid inhaling concrete dust. Wet it down first and shovel into trash receptacles.
Clean Tools – Wash sledgehammers, chisels, pry bars, etc to remove concrete particles which can damage tool surfaces and moving joints.
Avoid direct skin contact with concrete – particles have a high pH and can cause irritation or chemical burns. Wear gloves and long sleeves.
Inspect tools for signs of mushrooming or cracking – hammer heads and chisel tips flatten and deteriorate with repeated use.
Periodically re-sharpen chisel tips if edges round or dull using an angle grinder or file. This maintains efficiency.
Monitor for signs of fatigue, and stop work if dizzy or lightheaded – this can indicate dangerous levels of dust inhalation.

By staying vigilant and following safe, strategic techniques, you can take on DIY concrete removal successfully. Just be sure to use heavy-duty tools designed for the job. With preparation, patience, and persistence, you’ll have that old concrete broken up in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking Up Concrete by Hand

How long does it take to break up a concrete slab by hand?

It typically takes 1-2 days for 1-2 people to break up a standard 200-400 sq ft slab 4-6 inches thick using hand tools. Scoring and prying to loosen pieces is time consuming. Overall time depends on slab thickness, size, reinforcement and accessibility.

What is the easiest way to break up concrete?

Scoring surface in grid pattern with chisel, then using pry bar to separate pieces is easiest manual method. For faster removal, use pneumatic jackhammer or concrete saw to cut slabs into smaller segments first.

Can a sledgehammer break concrete?

Yes, a standard 10-15 lb sledgehammer can break up unreinforced concrete when struck repeatedly in same area to fracture it. Scoring first allows concrete to crack more easily when struck. Heavier sledges and drill/chisel combo work faster.

What can I use instead of a sledgehammer to break concrete?

A pickaxe, framing hammer or small jackhammer can substitute, but require more effort and time. For best results, use tools specifically designed for breaking concrete like star drills, 90 lb jackhammers and 15 lb sledges.

What happens if you inhale concrete dust?

Inhaling concrete dust can irritate lungs and cause coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. Long term exposure may increase risk of lung disease like silicosis. Always wear an N95 mask when breaking up concrete to limit dust inhalation.

How thick of concrete can be broken by hand?

6-8 inches is typically the maximum thickness that can be reasonably broken up with hand tools. Beyond that depth, the force required becomes too high and unsafe. Call in contractors with pneumatic jackhammers to remove thicker slabs.

Can I put new concrete over old concrete?

Yes, pouring a fresh thin layer over an older, stable slab is certainly possible. The key is to clean and roughen the old concrete first so the layers bond together properly. Use a concrete overlay mix for best results.

What is the safest way to demolish a concrete slab?

Safest manual method is scoring surface in sections, then systematically cracking and prying up pieces. For large jobs, concrete removal machines like jackhammers, axe grinders and skid steer mounted breakers are safer and more efficient than swinging sledgehammers and chisels.

How can I break up concrete quietly?

For less noise, use diamond segmented concrete cutting blades on an angle grinder to systematically slice concrete into sections, then pry up. Electric jackhammers are quieter than pneumatic models. Avoid sledgehammer and chisel which are very loud.

Can I remove concrete myself or should I hire a contractor?

For small DIY jobs under 400 sq ft, hand tools can work if you follow safe techniques. For large slabs, hiring a demolition contractor with pneumatic jackhammers, skid steers and concrete pulverizers will be quicker and safer for novice DIYers.

Conclusion

Removing concrete slabs yourself can save money over hiring contractors, with some hard work and commitment to safety. Breaking concrete by hand is achieved through systematic scoring, cracking, prying and removal of pieces. Having the correct sledgehammers, pry bars, chisels and other heavy-duty tools is key to efficient concrete breaking without injuries. With persistence and the proper techniques, even homeowners can demolish smaller concrete slabs to expand patios, access underground utilities or begin fresh concrete projects. Just be sure to take precautions against excessive dust and debris when breaking up concrete the DIY way.