Breaking up concrete patio

[RonR]

Ah, good question "why remove the patio".?

This project started when the rear half of the patio cracked across the 15' width and began settling. I didn't know how much more it would settle (leading to future deck problems if I built over it) AND water from this 7x12' section would drain right down the edge of the foundation.

I guess one option would have been to dump more concrete on top of it, but what of the sinking problems down the road??????

The step would be in the way of my ledger plate anyway, so it had to come out no matter what. And since it was integral with the patio, that part would have to come out as well. Thus creating more hole for the water to reach the foundation with.

Thus my logic..........

Yep, my son is a great asset as an assistant and just a great kid. He was a starting guard on a 6A school football team last year--they went to #2 in the state! He's in "KOLLEGE" now gettin' an education. Makin' good grades to.

 

[blakesfav]

Thanks for the explanation. Controlling the flow of water has become the focal point in my life (see my post on "creating a shallow drainage ditch") much like religion or family becomes for others. I'm in a full scale battle now, and I plan to win no matter the cost.

There's nothing quite like a jackhammer to make a kid want to do well in school. I spent my teen and college years working at a golf course - digging ditches, driving a tractor, weedeating, mowing, and swearing all day that I would get a good education so that I could work somewhere with air conditioning. Now I'm a surgeon, and I spend all day in the finest AC systems in the world, wishing I had a job outside where all I had to worry about was driving a tractor. Go figure.

 

[BotaGuy]

Those Jackhammers are way too much work. I rented one, broke up one section of a walkway...and then rented a Bobcat with a HYD. breaker.....MUCH BETTER. More money but a lot more fun.

 

[RonR]

If I ever use a jackhammer again, it WILL be hooked on the front of a bobcat. Then I'll use the loader bucket to dump the stuff in a dump truck or trailer!

I learned my lesson.

Ron

 

[RonR]

Blakesfav,

I've had that indoor/outdoor discussion myself!

I worked outdoors for the MARINES for 4 YRS, then for a private company for 5 years, now indoors for 20, and I'm longing for outdoors again (retirement).

Best wishes,
Ron

 

[Hap]

I used a Bobcat with a pallet fork on front to pry underneath the slab (non reinforced) and broke it off that way. It was 12" thick by 12' by 50'. Piece of cake.

 

[TORQUIN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Deck project might start over the July 4th weekend........! That will make Mom happy.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
)</font>

Don't pour footings. When I had my deck built, and they used 6x6 posts so it can support a future hot tub, they used those cinder block "feet" for the posts so no concrete had to be poured. They dug holes to put the feet in so that you could not see the feet when finished. This project had a building permit so they must be up to code.

See attached pic.

Chris

 

[Boondox]

Ron -- That is some seriously thick concrete!!!

Pete

 

[bandit67]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Those Jackhammers are way too much work. I rented one, broke up one section of a walkway...and then rented a Bobcat with a HYD. breaker.....MUCH BETTER. More money but a lot more fun. )</font>

That's what I plan to do when it comes time to break up a couple of big concrete slabs at our "new" old house. Still haven't decided how I'm gonna break up a couple of narrow concrete sidewalks - think I'll just try a sledge hammer for those, since I want to do those first.

 

[KYFARMER]

If you can lift one side/corner just a little with FEL or other means, concrete will break rather easily with sledge hammer.
Good luck.