Saving Money on Concrete Removal

removing concrete

Jobs like having to break up and remove segments of concrete is a huge task but getting rid of the concrete is another problem.

The first thing that has to be determined before any concrete removal job is taken on is determining if there is a need to break up and remove the concrete. It has to be determined if demolishing the concrete is the most economical way to go or is a concrete repair or resurfacing a better alternative. In most cases if the concrete is deeply cracked or has begun to sink then concrete removal and replacement is usually the only option.

Selecting the right equipment

It all begins with using the right demolition tools for the job as each concrete removal job has its own demands. There are many different types of tools that can be used for this job such as a chipping hammer which are handheld concrete breakers ideal for concrete removal that is vertical or in the overhead services.

A demolition hammer is another tool that may be required which is different from Rotary hammers. In this case this particular tool can deliver a hammering action to help break up the concrete for easier removal. The decision will have to be made between using a demolition hammer or a rotary hammer.

Another tool that may be required is the diamond wire saw which is sometimes more efficient than the circular saws. The one advantage of this particular saw is its ability to cut concrete no matter how thick it may be.

There is also the possibility that a hydraulic concrete crusher may be the best option. The advantage of using this tool is that it will break the concrete down into smaller pieces which are easier to handle and dispose of.

There are many different tools that can be used for wall sawing or concrete removal, and it is important that the right tools are chosen. It is also equally important that the individual operating the tools has the expertise that is needed. We recommend that only those that have been properly trained carries out the work in order to get the job done correctly and to keep safety as the priority.

No doubt purchasing any of these tools can be very expensive and adds to the inventory of the businesses that may require the need of them. Not only is there a cost involved in the purchase, but also in the storing, maintaining and repairing of the tools. Many commercial entities that have a need for concrete removal find that farming the job out to professionals like ourselves, that specialise in concrete demolition and removal is a far more economical way of getting the job completed.

save on concrete removal

Turn to the professionals

While many commercial entities have a need for commercial demolition and concrete removal there are many home owners that often find they have a need for concrete removal as well. A good example of this can be if their driveway needs replacing. We recommend that those who need to remove the concrete from their driveway get the opinion of professionals such as ourselves to determine the amount of work and the feasibility of this type of project.

What most people don’t realise is that concrete will always eventually crack and at some point in time will need to be replaced. Most often individuals who like to work on their home themselves feel they can attack this type of job alone but often run into many difficulties. This is one of the reasons that we highly recommend using professionals such as ourselves to complete this type of significant task. In the end, it can save a lot of money by preventing the many errors and problems that can take occur with concrete removal.

The size of the job is going to dictate whether you need a professional to do this for you. If you are only looking at a small home project such as removing an old walkway then with the right instruction and tools you most likely can do this yourself. It should not be thought that because you are capable of doing the small jobs, however, that you have developed the expertise for taking on the bigger ones like replacing your driveway or if you are replacing or demolishing concrete walls.

Safety precautions

If you have to do any digging then it’s really important to check there are no wires, pipes or cables that may be underground. You need to call the necessary people to ensure this.

Planning a concrete removal project also requires you to look at the proper measurements required for the job. It is most disappointing to build your patio and then once completed wish you had made it bigger. If you are in doubt, we highly recommended that you speak to professionals such as ourselves concerning your project so that we can advise you as to your best options.

Safety is a big factor when working with concrete whether you are demolishing it or installing it. We highly recommend that you are aware of these potential dangers and that you also use the proper equipment for your job at hand, as well as wearing the proper safety equipment.

Be sure to call us as we would be most happy to discuss your concrete job with you and how we may be able to assist. If there are ways that you can do this yourself safely and cost effectively we will certainly tell you. However, if it is a job that we feel you require the help of professionals then we can be at your service.

Tearing Down and Repairing Walls Safely

tearing down a wall using concrete saw

Tearing down any walls within the home is a big job and one that has to be done with safety in mind. There are many different things that have to be considered and careful planning is a must. There may be several different reasons as to why you want to take down a wall, but the most common one is that many individuals like their homes to have the open concept. This means taking down one or two room dividers to achieve this which may involve wall sawing and concrete cutting.

Planning is key

You should give some thought to the overall planning of the wall removal and what your expectations are. Study it carefully to see if it is really going to give you more room, or perhaps your purpose is to create more light and a better flow throughout the home. Try to visualise this space as it will be when it becomes open, and this will give you a better idea of whether you are making the right move in removing the wall. You also want to consider if you are going to use this new space for additional seating. If so, then you need to determine that this is going to flow nicely into the room that the wall was dividing.

The first important step is to determine if the wall that you are going to remove is a load bearing wall. This is critically important because it’s providing support for the structure of different segments of your home. Removing this can be devastating and cause serious damage and even personal injury. If you are not sure whether the wall you’re removing is safe to do so, we highly recommend that you speak to a professional that is well-versed in wall sawing or concrete cutting.

Once it has been determined that the wall can be removed then you are ready to go on to the next step. You may be in for some surprises when you open the wall, as chances are you do not know what exists in the interior of it. You may come across items such as old light switches, a vent, or thermostat for example. We recommend that you use the proper tools for determining what may be within the walls. For example, an AC voltage detector or a voltmeter will help you determine if there is any live wiring that may be in the wall. If you do find there are electrical components within the wall that you are removing, we recommend that you use an electrician to remove these or redirect them. You don’t want to run the risk when wall cutting, or concrete cutting that you cut into these.

Safety steps

Before you begin removing the wall the first thing to do is to make sure you are personally protected and you are using the proper safety gear. Ideally a hard hat and safety goggles are something that we recommend.

You are probably going to want to use a crowbar to remove items such as the trim and the panel so you can get down to the wall structure itself. It is really important to be careful when working up against the adjacent walls that you do not damage them while removing the one wall that you want to get rid of.

Removing the drywall

To break down the drywall, which most walls are comprised of and are also called plasterboard,you can use a hammer or wall saw. Once you have broken down all of the drywall, we suggest that you get rid of this as it begins to build up as it could be a safety factor and you could end up tripping over it.

Once all of the drywall has been removed then you are ready to start working on the studs. You need to be extra cautious here as you will not only need to do some wall sawing, but you will be coming across nails as well. When you are working all along the wall lines you may want to use a reciprocating saw as this will give you better control and allow you to cut a straight line. It is most important that you work carefully when you get to the adjacent structures, otherwise the amount of work that you are going to have to do by way of touch-ups could be quite substantial.

Removing brick or concrete walls

An even greater task can present itself when the wall that you’re going to remove is brick or concrete. The same preparatory work must take place when attempting to remove the concrete wall. Again you need to be sure that it is not a load bearing wall and that you are wearing the proper safety equipment, and using the proper tools for concrete cutting. You want to work from the top down and again use the same clean-up precautions. There are several different tools you should be working with such as pneumatic jackhammers, hammer chisels or you can resort to a sledgehammer and a pry bar and chisels. There is no doubt that this is a big job and takes a fair amount of expertise.

Here at MegaSaw we have the skills and expertise to get this job done for you. Hand sawing is our specialty and we use the latest equipment for tough jobs such as wall sawing and concrete cutting. Rather than take this task on yourself we highly recommend that you hire our professionals to get the job done for you quickly and easily and to your utmost satisfaction. This is going to save you time and most probably money in the long run, and will allow you to get on with the better part of your project which is planning for your new space.