Help moving these steps

[nod]

I have foundation problems. I have these steps that have to be removed to fix it. The steps are 5' 6" wide and 42 inches high. They are poured concrete. I need some ideas about how to remove them. The wall behind the steps is leaning in. I do not want to make it fall, it is a basement wall. I can't get a strap or chain around the top because the top of the steps are leaning in on the bricks.

 

[jrdepew]

What about using a hammer drill to make a hole, and anchoring or better yet, epoxying in a forged eye bolt? If you have a decent sized piece of equipment you could use that to pull the steps straight out.

I would do a quick calculation of the weight of the steps and make sure you get a correctly sized eye bolt...

You could also drill two holes and make a rebar "u" shape and epoxy it in the holes. Would be a lot cheaper than a quality eye-bolt.

The epoxy they make for this application isn't terribly cheap, but is extremely strong.

-Joe

 

[newbury]

Can you snake a cable around it through the cracks?

Start with a thin cable then pull a thicker one.

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I'd be careful about trying to tip them over from the top, as if the cable broke, it will fall back against the wall and good chance of damaging it more.

Have you tried digging down along the left side and front step and seeing how far down into the dirt they go yet? There may be even more mass of concrete beneath them.

 

[Billrog]

You could maybe try this stuff.
ECOBUST 11 lb. Concrete Cutting and Rock Breaking Non-Combustive Demolition Agent Type 2 (5F - 77F)-EB211 - The Home Depot

 

[Snobdds]

Just take them out and rebuild on a proper footing. Cheaper and better product when done.

Cement stairs are heavy and should be supported by footers or proper pylons.

 

[MossRoad]

Just take them out and rebuild on a proper footing. Cheaper and better product when done.

Cement stairs are heavy and should be supported by footers or proper pylons.

He's asking HOW to take them out.

 

[MossRoad]

You could maybe try this stuff.
ECOBUST 11 lb. Concrete Cutting and Rock Breaking Non-Combustive Demolition Agent Type 2 (5F - 77F)-EB211 - The Home Depot

Hey, I remember that stuff. I think there's some youtube videos on it. Seemed to work pretty well. If he can't get them out in one piece, this stuff might be his answer to breaking it up.

 

[MossRoad]

The stuff I remember was called DEXPAN.

How to break up concrete and rocks for removal? Dexpan Demolition

 

[MossRoad]