Demolishing a Paver or Concrete Patio Properly

Most people have a patio in their backyard – this is where they go to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. However, unfortunately, patios don’t last forever. After some time, they may start to fade and look worn down and that is when it is time to demolish the patio and build a new one. When demolishing your patio, you’re going to pull up the cement, which may be hard for the average person to do. Whether you’re demolishing a brick paver or concrete patio, you will need to have the proper tools ready and of course, a way to properly dispose of the debris that comes from demolishing it. The tools required to rip apart a concrete patio will depend on the structure. Most concrete patios are un-reinforced, which means they don’t have any rebar. For this case, a jackhammer would be the best method to use in order to break the concrete into smaller pieces that you can shovel away (hopefully straight into a dumpster you rented). If the patio is small and the concrete is already cracked, then a sledgehammer should do the trick. Now, if the patio has been reinforced with rebar, then you’re going to need some heavy equipment, like a hydraulic lift, which will raise large sections, or an excavator to dig and lift the pieces up. Basic Tools Required to Demolish and Remove Concrete from Your Patio:

• Shovels
• Sledgehammer
• Jackhammer
• Long Pry Bar
• Safety Gear (eye protection, Leather gloves, and steel-toe boots)
• A dumpster

Dumpster Rental Service

By renting a dumpster, you will be able to easily dispose of the debris, even the concrete. All you have to do is rent the dumpster (there are special construction dumpster rentals). The dumpster can be ready for you within 24 hours or whenever you need it parked in your yard. The only thing you cannot toss in the dumpster are hazardous materials, and since you’re only demolishing a patio, the chances of you having hazardous material from that are pretty slim. Take it from us, renting a dumpster is the best choice for you. A 10-yard roll-off dumpster will usually do the trick and is good for an average-sized patio demo project. In 10-yard dumpsters, companies will usually allow 1-3 tons of debris, which should be more than enough for you.

Haul the Debris Yourself

While we feel renting a dumpster is the best route to take, we understand that there may be some individuals out there who are able to haul the debris themselves, and that is okay as long as you have the physical ability it takes to load, transport, and unload the concrete. However, hauling the debris yourself is rarely a good fit, because you need to have the right type of truck and trailer that is capable of hauling a ton or two of debris. Plus, it may take multiple trips, which may not be worth it. So, instead of hauling the debris yourself, do yourself a favor and rent a dumpster for a day or two.

Conclusion

When demolishing a paver or concrete patio, don’t forget that you will need to haul the concrete off. In order to make this process a whole lot easier for you, you should rent a temporary dumpster.