Smashing up a concrete garden path

[John Wakefield]

What's the best thing to use for this? Sledgehammer or some sort of power tool?

[ksm]

Depends if you want to spend money. Your local Hire Company will do you a Kango Hammer (like a small road drill but electric).

No cost option is a sledgehammer. Easiest way is to crack the concrete, then lift a corner with a road spike (strong long bit of metal) & get a friend to hit it with the hammer. It breaks up much easier this way.

[PoP]

This subject was broached on this forum several months ago - might be worth a search on google.

I think you've got a couple of options to consider.

First, the sledgehammer trick is okay if the path isn't terribly substantial and you are fit.

A power tool would be better if you didn't want the hard graft. You should be able to hire one at a local HSS shop for a day or two to get the job done.

Another option might be to split the path into more managable sections (if it is in one continuous lump). Could potentially be done by digging a small hole under the concrete and stuffing with wood, then setting light. Concrete doesn't take too kindly to localised heat (besides which, this was a method used in the old days for attacking a castle).

PoP

Sending email to my published email address isn't guaranteed to reach me.

[Martin]

From experience, the easiest way is to put pressure underneath with pickaxe, then give it some welly with a sledgehammer to break paving slab sized lumps off. It really depends on what you have available, and how thick the concrete is. Thinner concrete is easy, just leaver and wack, thicker stuff may require something like an SDS to weaken it; very thick stuff may require a small thermonuclear device, but remember to use ear defenders first.

[Harry Bloomfield]

John Wakefield wrote on Sunday (25/01/2004) :

It depends how substantial the concrete is. It becomes easier once get a working edge. A substantial steel bar to lift an edge up and then a good wallop with a sledge will quickly break it up for you.

[mark]

Sledgehammer - not a big one though as you'll be knackered in minutes, a smaller one I found easier on the arms. Then wait until a suitable shitty day at work, come home get changed and hammer away. It is easier to get someone to lever it up while you hit it etc. but it will still break up albeit with more effort from just sheer brute ignorance. ;-)

Mark S.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Sledge and pick. Unless its really thick. If IMM like in its density, kanga or concrete saw, or even mini digger.

[PoP]

I thought IMM density meant a quick phone call to a US airbase to say you know where Bin Laden is - with a bit of luck there'll be a B52 going overhead dropping a bunker buster..... ;)

PoP

Sending email to my published email address isn't guaranteed to reach me.

[Combine Harvesters are EVil]

Harry Bloomfield retched Smashing up a concrete garden path onto my recliner:

I think it'll break the sledge actually. Try a sledgehammer instead.

[Rick Dipper]

Bobcat ?

I just found some guy on eBay selling one, whist lieing about its age .......... I was *REALLY* tempted, I am after a bobcat ........

Rick