How to Remove a Concrete Porch
Removing a concrete porch requires some intense muscle work. So if you do not have the strength to pound concrete with a sledgehammer or enough gripping power to hold on to a jackhammer, then consider asking for assistance. Whether the concrete porch has to go for remodeling or because it has already deteriorated, plan the removal ahead of time.
Tools and Materials
- Sledgehammer
- Jackhammer
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Ear Plugs
- Thick Clothes
- Safety Goggles
- Large Crowbar
Step 1 – Plan the Removal
Schedule a date for concrete porch removal. Ask for assistance if possible. The more people working on the site, the faster the job gets done. Determine where to stock the broken pieces of debris. Plan when the debris will get picked up by a waste management company as well.
Step 2 – Wear Protective Equipment
Do not use shorts. Use long jeans and thick long-sleeve shirt. Cover both ears with ear plugs and wear eye goggles. If necessary, wear a dust mask. Do not attempt to proceed with the project without sufficient protection.
Step 3 – Break the Porch into Pieces
If the sections to be broken are not too thick and not too wide, using a sledgehammer will suffice. However, using a jackhammer additionally will make the work a lot faster. Although breaking the concrete can start at any point, it is best to work in a uniform direction. Start with the steps and move from one side of the porch to the other. This procedure is more likely to be efficient that just hitting things at random.
Turn on the jackhammer and start pounding away one small area at a time. Break larger chunks of concrete into smaller pieces using a sledgehammer. A mesh of rebar will soon be encountered as the pounding gets deeper into the middle of the concrete. When this portion is reached, remove the concrete layer covering it and pry the rebar out with a large crowbar. Logically determine the pattern of the rebar in order to anticipate where to strike the jackhammer next.
Step 4 – Remove the Debris
As soon as a good amount of debris is accumulated, move them aside to a certain location using a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Delegate someone to do this job to speed up the process. If possible, take turns in pounding the concrete and moving the load. If the concrete is buried within the ground at a certain distance, shovel away the soil surrounding it to expose the concrete in its entirety.
Step 5 – Take Time to Rest
It is important to rest to rejuvenate energy. Never continue working like a machine. Schedule breaks in between or let someone else to do the task while you are taking a rest.
Step 6 – Finish the Project
Continue pounding and breaking the concrete until every last bit is removed. Remove any last chunk of concrete on the porch area and level the soil once finished. Have the pounded concrete picked up by a waste management company after.
