Here, we’re looking at the tools used for concrete demolition. No demolition project will be possible without the right tools.
We will focus on equipment and machines that break up concrete.
Best Tools To Break Up Concrete Structures
So, what are these demolition tools, and what are they used for? There are lots of them, as you’ll soon find out. Some of these are pretty common, while others aren’t.
Whichever concrete demolition tool you want to buy, you’ll find it at the nearest hardware shop; so, without further ado, let’s find out what these are.
A majority of demolition projects involve concrete. It’s easy to see why; concrete is a standard construction material, so many demolition projects have to deal with it.
Need for Concrete Breaking Tool: Deterioration
Before concrete demolition is determined, there have to be clear reasons.
Some of these include the need to make changes to your landscape, fixing broken pipes & sewer lines, and getting access to tight spaces.
Other reasons why concrete demolition will be necessary are home improvement and additional drainage.
There are more reasons why concrete will need to be demolished. They include issues like frost heave, widespread cracks, widespread spalling, and sunken slabs.
Before we mention the different concrete demolition tools available, let’s first discuss each reason for demolition.
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Making Changes to Your Landscape
It’s common to want to make adjustments to your landscape. This type of renovation may require demolishing some concrete structures around.
To give you an idea of such changes, a concrete pathway may need to be rerouted, or patios may be broken to create space, among other things.
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Fixing Broken Pipes
When plumbing pipes are laid, several things could affect their normal functioning.
These include damage from tree roots’ growth, corrosion, soil see, ttling, and amontitlingrs. When broken pipes result from the above conditions, it becomes necessary to fix them.
Fixing these pipes may require breaking through concrete.
This is especially true when such pipe lies beneath a concrete slab. The slab will have to be removed or demolished to make way for repairs.
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Fixing Sewer Lines
Like broken pipes, sewer lines connect homes to the central sewer system.
The same issues can be encountered that result in damage to these lines. A section of the concrete slab covering sewer lines may have to be demolished to examine and fix the damage.
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Getting Access to Tight Spaces
There are times when certain types of installation jobs may require performing controlled demolitions. One of such includes laying new plumbing.
Because accessibility is crucial, areas like crawl spaces may have to be widened. The process of widening may require some minor demolition work.
It’s best to have professionals perform this procedure as they know how best to do the job without affecting the structure. Plus, the proper demolition tools are deployed to achieve the best results.
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Home Improvement
Specific house demolition tools are helpful during home improvement projects.
During these types of projects, barriers like walls, slabs, and other concrete obstacles are removed or demolished to create space or make way for new structures to be built.
Without the proper demolition tools, it will be impossible to carry out the job effectively.
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Making Provisions for Additional Drainage
Existing drainages in a home may not be sufficient and could cause many problems. Installing more drainage points may require some form of demolition.
For example, laying drainage pathways or lines below concrete slabs will require breaking through to apply them correctly.
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Frost Heave
Frost heave is another reason why concrete demolition may be necessary. This mostly happens in regions with temperate climates. As the name suggests, the ground underneath the concrete freezes.
Due to expansion caused by freezing, upward pressure is exerted, which pushes the concrete up.
Concrete isn’t elastic and will crack or break due to frost heave. When this problem is identified, the concrete must be removed or demolished using the right tools.
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Widespread Cracks
As concrete structures deteriorate, different situations are observed, one of the most common being widespread cracks.
These cracks can go deep and may require much more than simply patching or resurfacing the area. Demolition may be recommended to get rid of loose concrete.
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Widespread SpaWhens when patching up concrete surfaces isn’t the right step. This is common in situations where a lot of spalling is observed.
For a complete job, concrete demolition may be necessary. Some tools help out in that regard. Using such devices, the old concrete is removed, and the area resurfaces.
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Sunken Slabs
Sunken slabs are typical when there’s too much settling of the ground below.
When the ground cannot support such a slab, the concrete will need to be demolished and reinforcements made before pouring out a new concrete surface.
Concrete Removal Tools
Our discussion to this point has been necessary to help you fully understand situations leading to concrete demolition and tools used for certain types of jobs.
This section looks at the different concrete removal tools and what they’re used for.
Essential tools include a sledgehammer, jackhammer, dumpster, wrecking ball, bolt or wire cutter, concrete saw, and crowbar.
Additional concrete demolition tools include hydraulic breakers, pneumatic breakers, thermic lance, wheelbarrow, pry bar, reciprocating saw, and safety equipment.
For some of these tools, you may have a fair idea of how they’re used, while other types may require some explaining. We understand that needs may vary.
Hence the explanation of every demolition tool mentioned. Let’s begin as follows;
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Sledgehammer
The sledgehammer is a popular demolition tool ideal for breaking concrete thinner than 4 inches.
The use of the sledgehammer is pretty much essential and involves continuously striking the targeted concrete surface. Of course, you’ll need to clean up the dirt around the area before starting.
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Jackhammer
Unlike sledgehammers, jackhammers are ideal for breaking thicker concrete.
They’re pretty varied and fit multiple demolition needs. Jackhammer types include hydraulically powered, electric-powered, and pneumatic jackhammer types.
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Dumpster
Concrete demolition isn’t complete without preparing for construction cleanup and disposal of debris. This is where the dumpster comes into play.
Dumpsters come in different sizes, which are ideal for varying demolition types. Dumpster rental allows the cleanup company to eliminate all debris from the demolition site.
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Wrecking Ball
When it comes to heavy demolition tools, a wrecking ball is one you can hire.
Unlike most other tools, a wrecking ball requires more professional handling and execution as the name suggests, a heavy ball swings from a mechanical arm to demolish a targeted concrete structure.
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Concrete Saw
Concrete saws are specially designed for concrete demolition jobs. They’re designed with abrasive to cut through concrete easily create.
The good thing about this demolition tool is the different sizes available. Some can be used for small jobs and others for major or commercial demolition projects.
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Crowbar
Demolition of a concrete slab can be done in several ways, including using a crowbar.
This can be used alone or with other demolition tools, such as a sledgehammer. You’ll need the crowbar to pry open pieces of partially disintegrated concrete.
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Hydraulic and Pneumatic Breakers
Hydraulic and pneumatic breakers come in handy during concrete demolition jobs. Concrete strength and extent of steel reinforcement need to be assessed to determine whether these will be ideal.
There are machine-mounted breakers that deliver between 300 and 800 blows per minute. Overall, they help make concrete demolition much easier.
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Wheelbarrow
Wheelbarrows are among the standard concrete demolition tools you can put to good use.
If your demolition project is small, a wheelbarrow will be needed to clear and evacuate debris from the site. This is a one-wheel tool that helps complete small demolition jobs.
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Pry Bar
A pry bar is forged alloy steel equipment used for concrete demolition jobs. This helps in forcing objects apart.
Now, the pry bar isn’t only for concrete demolition and is widely applicable to various types of dwaste. It’s called by different names, including wrecking g bar, price bar, pinch bar, etc.
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Reciprocating Saw
This is a hand-held power saw used for a wide range of concrete demolition jobs.
It comes with a trigger that activates a saw with a horizontal blade that quickly moves back and forth, thus cutting through concrete and other construction materials.
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Safety Equipment
Every demolition job requires putting on the right kind of safety equipment.
These safety gears consist of gloves, hearing protection like earmuffs or earplugs, safety goggles, helmets, and safety boots. With these, the chances of injuries are significantly reduced.
Understanding the Use of Concrete Demolition Tools
Your concrete demolition project will likely be ineffective without knowing how to use these tools.
Thankfully, most of the tools mentioned are pretty basic regarding operation. Watching a YouTube tutorial video should sort things out if you’re finding it challenging to figure.
These are concrete demolition tools you can use for your project. They’re essential and mostly hand tools that can be purchased or hired for any concrete demolition job.