| Author |
Message |
    
mimi
Citizen
Username: Mimi
Post Number: 210
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 10:48 am: | 
|
we have a cracked cement slab in our backyard that we'd like to break up and replace with an "old" brick patio. we're pretty handy and would like to tackle as much of the job on our own. it will involve taking a jack hammer to the cement, hauling it away, regrading, laying down the foundation for the new patio, and laying the brick itself. we're thinking that we can easily handle the building of the new patio, but that the removal of the old might not be worth doing ourselves once we factor in the cost of renting a dumpster and hauling the cement away. not to mention the cost of chiropractic care post demolition.
does anyone else have experience with this kind of project?
any recommendations for someone to take on the demo part of the task?
thanks in advance.
|
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1162
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
|
If you do the demolition yourself, don't make the mistake of trying to reduce the slab to rubble... take it out in (reasonably) large pieces.
For a concrete sidewalk, for example, you can put in a pry bar, lift up an edge and tap it with a sledge. This usually splits the concrete into a few managable pieces; much easier than dealing with rubble! |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10741
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
|
You can rent electric powered jackhammers. I don't know about the pneumantic ones. The trick is to go in at an angle so the chisle doesn't get stuck in the concrete.
If you are going to have the work done search for the demoliton contractors several people have posted about here.
In the end, putting in six to twelve inches of sand or stone dust and moving the bricks will be as much heavy lifting as taking out the patio. |
imsold
Citizen
Username: Imsold
Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 1:33 pm: |
|
Depending on the size of the patio and shape, it can be quite a big job. I did large 2500+ sq ft paver patio and walkways with lots of walls. It took 1 dumpster to remove concrete (Used Bedrock of Kearny; $325) & 8 full trucks of stone. I used an electric Bosch rental jackhammer for 1 1/2 days. An electric one can break up concrete to about 4" thick. I hired a helper to do the heavy lifting and saved about $40K over what contracters wanted. P.S. You need about 6 to 8" of QP (stone) if no cars will be driven on the new patio (plus a vibrating plate tamper). |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 217
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 8:55 pm: |
|
I've got another story to share about how I got screwed. When we first moved in we wanted to put in a fence (child and dog safety issues.) But there was a cement slab where part of the fence would go.
Well the timing was all off. The fence people were ready to go, and we hadn't decided on a patio contractor. So we hired one team for the concrete removal, and continued to entertain quotes for the brick laying portion.
The quote was about $1000 for just the demolition and hauling away. I was in a rush, and I figured, "Well that includes a jackhammer."
That morning three Costa Rican dudes showed up with sledgehammers and a digging bar (which is like a big heavy screwdriver that's as big as two Costa Ricans.) They just started swinging to crack the concrete, then lifted the pieces with the digging bar.
Four hours later the concrete was gone and so was my $1000. I don't know what digging bars cost or what hourly wage these day laborers earn, or how hard it is to unload cement rubble. But that seemed like a HUGE mark up.
Try the no jackhammer first. If you can break it with sledge hammers, no need for rental.
Gook Luck and keep us posted.
J.B. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1379
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
|
This might sound like a dumb question, but why not save yourself some work and lay the bricks over the concrete slab? It wouldn't be 100% level with the yard, but would maybe just be a step or two above the yard, which could be nice. And you could build steps down to the level. |
jolynn
Citizen
Username: Unixiscool
Post Number: 12
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 8:36 am: |
|
We got several quotes to take out our 12 X 12 patio in the back of our house. It was a really simple job because it was in 3 X 3 slabs. I wasn't sure who to call for this type of work. So I got three quotes, one from a handy man, one from a concrete contaractor, and one from a landscaper. I went with the landscaper because they had a good price and I wanted the yard to be regraded properly once the patio was removed. It was under $1000.
I have in the back of my mind to remove all of the walkways around my house this spring and I may be getting a dumpster and jackhammer myself... it just depends on how the other projects I have planned go. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1166
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 8:57 am: |
|
Walkways almost certainly won't require a jackhammer. See my post above! |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10748
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:16 am: |
|
Zoesky, if the concrete is structually sound with no major cracks something like slate or bluestone can be put down over it, set in mortar. Just remember that an isolation membrane is needed.
I have never heard of brick being layed in this manner, but just because I haven't heard about it or seen it doesn't mean it hasn't/can't be done. |
mimi
Citizen
Username: Mimi
Post Number: 211
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 11:10 am: |
|
thanks, everyone. keep the suggestions coming. i'm glad to hear other people have been able to do it on their own without ruining their backs.
and laying over the concrete slab isn't a dumb idea at all. it is just that our slab:
1) has major cracks
2) abuts the house in such a way that it can't accomodate the extra 3 inches the layover would require
3) our backyard/basement has serious grading issues that we need to address when we redo the patio
jolynn: is that you? on colgate? if so, i'm going to give you a ring. i'd love details on whomever you got your quotes from.
m |
imsold
Citizen
Username: Imsold
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 11:31 am: |
|
I have quite a few things I learned when dealing with grading issues after I replaced a concrete slab with pavers. Too much to list here. Contact me directly & I would be happy to talk to you. |
Rick B
Citizen
Username: Ruck1977
Post Number: 982
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
|
In my experience, concrete is not something you can dump into dumpsters but need to dispose of it at in a proper manner. it can get pricey. its just one of those things that is hard to get rid of!
I have done a lot of demolition of concrete slab. Usually a sledge hammer and some hard work will get the job done. However, I never used a jackhammer to compare the ease versus whacking away at it with a sledge hammer.
Good luck!! |
jolynn
Citizen
Username: Unixiscool
Post Number: 13
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 2:57 pm: |
|
it's me |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page