How do you remove old concrete sidewalk?
InstructionsDig Under the Concrete. Dig out the soil, gravel, or other material from under the concrete, using a shovel and a pickax or mattock. ... Strike the Concrete. Lightly sprinkle the concrete with water to minimize dust. ... Pry Off Stubborn Pieces. ... Move the Concrete Chunks With a Hand Truck.
How do you replace a small concrete sidewalk?
0:042:46Sidewalk Repair - DIY Workshop - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore using a multi-purpose monster pry bar to break the concrete into smaller more manageableMoreBefore using a multi-purpose monster pry bar to break the concrete into smaller more manageable pieces pry them loose and toss the chunks into a sturdy wheelbarrow to wheel them off to the side.
Can you replace section of concrete?
Yes, you can remove a portion of a driveway that's severely damaged and then have a new concrete slab poured in its place. If you need to do this, SUNDEK can unify the look of the driveway so you can't tell where the old surface ends and the new one begins.
How do you fix a crumbling concrete sidewalk?
1:385:16How To Repair Concrete | Pro Tips For Repairing Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr you can use a vinyl concrete patching agent and a putty knife to fill it in for a wider crack youMoreOr you can use a vinyl concrete patching agent and a putty knife to fill it in for a wider crack you will need to use a small sledgehammer.
Can you pour a new sidewalk over an old sidewalk?
You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
Can you pour a new sidewalk over an old one?
If you pour a new layer over concrete right on top of the old one, you won't get proper adhesion. You must properly prepare your concrete slab and then apply a chemical bonding agent on top of it so your new concrete adheres properly.
Is it cheaper to raise concrete or replace it?
Concrete raising lowers your overall costs, sometimes by up to 50% less than replacing the same concrete slabs, and is exponentially quicker in both completion and curing time.
Can you put new concrete over old cracked concrete?
Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.
Can new concrete bond to old concrete?
The cement within a concrete mix doesn't contain any natural bonding agents – so when fresh concrete is added on top of an existing layer of concrete, the two won't join together. Once cured, the new concrete will simply sit on top as a separate layer. This will not produce a strong, serviceable floor.
How much does concrete sidewalk repair cost?
Repairing or replacing a concrete sidewalk typically costs between $707 and $2,250 depending on the size of the area. Generally, repair prices range between $1 and $9 per square foot.
Can you resurface crumbling concrete?
Yes, concrete will deteriorate, but contractors can bring it back to life by resurfacing. Werline adds, “I've also found that having a few bags (of resurfacer) on the truck can come in handy with unexpected jobsite concrete issues that need to be handled quickly.
Can you repair badly damaged concrete?
Deeply spalled concrete can be repaired with a concrete overlay. Think of this as just applying stucco to the concrete. You just mix up some sand, a little hydrated lime and Portland cement and trowel this onto the concrete.
How do you remove a small area of concrete?
Jackhammer to break up concrete that's thick. If you're trying to remove concrete 3 inches deep or more, a jackhammer is your go-to tool. Rentable electric units will likely knock out that run-down sidewalk at the end of the driveway or small patio.
How much does it cost to replace a concrete path?
The cost of a concrete walkway can vary widely depending on its size and finish. Most U.S. homeowners pay between $6 and $12 per square foot for installation of a new concrete walkway. Prices can go beyond this if significant grading is required or a complex decorative finish is requested.
What is the minimum thickness for a concrete sidewalk?
4"Sidewalks should be at least 4" (100mm) in thickness. Simple slabs for small foundations, bases, etc., normally 4" to 6" (100mm to150mm) thick, depending on the load they must bear.
What is the lifespan of a concrete sidewalk?
If best practices are followed, the expected sidewalk materials service life can be as long as: Concrete: Approximately 80 years. Bricks and interlocking concrete pavers: Approximately 80 years. Asphalt: Approximately 40 years.
How does a hammer work on concrete?
As the hammer vibrates, it chips small bits of concrete away. Let it rest in one spot for a minute, then move on. You'll soon get the feel of it and will be able to move methodically across the walkway.
How to break a fissure into smaller pieces?
After you have created a fissure in a big piece, you can break it into smaller pieces by enlarging the radiating cracks you've made. When the big pieces have become many smaller pieces, you can break them into easy-to-handle chunks using mallets, sledgehammers, chisels, and other smaller tools.
Can you remove a concrete walkway?
Removing a concrete walkway can be a major undertaking, but with the right equipment and a little know-how, it can be done!
Can you use a reciprocating saw on a rental desk?
You probably will want to avoid the very largest, but the second-largest can be very effective. If you try the larger models at the rental desk and don't think you can handle them, you can find them the size of a reciprocating saw. They're much easier to handle but they'll take a lot longer to complete the job.
Can you rent a van to haul concrete?
You'll probably want to take the debris away to the dump. It's heavy and messy, so you may want to consider renting a vehicle to transport the concrete. Your local home improvement store may have pickups to rent by the hour; a cheaper solution is renting a small moving van for a day, although you must make sure to thoroughly sweep the van out afterward.
How long does it take to leave plastic on a slab?
This aids in uniform curing and contributes to a strong surface finish. I leave the plastic in place for two or three days. Before leaving the site, I made sure to surround the slab with caution tape! I removed the forms the next day, replaced the dirt and sod along the edges.
Why use a garden hose for concrete?
Because I was minutes away from mixing concrete, I used a garden hose to spray down the base material in the forms. The damp aggregate would prevent the concrete from losing moisture too quickly.
Is concrete hard to crack?
Here are three facts about concrete: It’s hard, it will eventually crack, and it’s expensive when installed by a professional. Using rental equipment and Sakrete High-Strength Concrete Mix, I was able to complete a concrete replacement project in less than one day. Concrete work is a linear process, making the task easy to organize and execute. Do it yourself, save some money, and experience the satisfaction of learning a new skill.
Can you edge and groove concrete after it has been broomed?
Although I chose to edge and groove the concrete after the surface was broomed, I could have reversed the order and broomed last. It is purely an aesthetic choice. Either way is fine, and brooming as the last step is probably easier.
Sidewalk Repair Vs Replacement
The terms “repair and replacement” are often erroneously interchanged. While both actions are geared towards maintaining the functionality of sidewalks, they’re performed at varying degrees.
Standard Cost of Removing Concrete Sidewalk
When it comes to discussing the cost of demoing and replacing a damaged concrete sidewalk, it’s proper to consider concrete demolition cost separate from rebuilding cost.
Cost of Replacing Concrete Sidewalk
With the old concrete sidewalk successfully removed, what remains is the laying of a fresh sidewalk. This is similar to a new project as it involves complete installation.
Calculating Concrete Sidewalk Replacement Cost
To have a rough idea of how much it will cost to remove and replace your sidewalk, you’ll only need to follow a simple formula. First, you’ll have to measure and note your sidewalk dimensions.
Where to dispose of concrete?
Remove the concrete pieces and dispose of them in the disposable dumpster.
What are the bricks on the sidewalk?
The clay bricks Mark installed on the walkway are City Hall Pavers, which can be found, alongside the other masonry materials used to install the walkway, at most brick yards.
How to make a walkway with a rake?
Pour a layer of gravel on top of the walkway and spread it out with the rake. Compact the gravel with the hand tamper. Pour a layer of stone dust on top of the gravel and spread that with the rake as well. Screed the stone dust level with a scrap piece of lumber.
How to spread stone dust on gravel?
Pour a layer of stone dust on top of the gravel and spread that with the rake as well.
What is a good way to repair a sidewalk?
Repairing your sidewalk is a good option for: Normal wear and tear. Small chips or cracks. Damage to less than two inches of concrete. Replacing your sidewalk is appropriate for: Fully-broken slabs. Deep cracks that may affect the sidewalk’s subbase.
How much does it cost to replace a sidewalk slab?
HomeAdvisor.com notes that it can cost an average of $1,320 to replace a sidewalk slab. If you are DIY-savvy, you could save on labor costs by tackling the project yourself.
How to make cracks in sidewalk wider?
Place your chisel in the crack and angle it slightly outward. Using your sledgehammer, tap it to make the crack in the sidewalk wider at the bottom than the top.
How to break apart a slab?
If you aren’t comfortable renting or using a jackhammer, you can also use a hammer and chisel to break up the concrete.
How much does it cost to repair a crack in a sidewalk?
According to HomeAdvisor.com, repairing small holes or cracks in your sidewalk will cost you between $5-$100 to repair depending on the size of the damage.
How to make a sidewalk off limits?
To ensure the safety of others in your neighborhood, set up a safety barrier to let them know the sidewalk area will be off-limits for a few days. Use your traffic cones and yellow caution tape to mark off the pieces of concrete you’ll be working on. 2.
What causes a sidewalk to be lifted?
Uneven or Lifted Slabs: Roots from nearby trees can cause panels of your sidewalk to be lifted or displaced. Damage in this instance usually needs to be repaired quickly and it’s imperative to have a plan in place to either remove the tree, or move or extend your sidewalk so it doesn’t happen again.
How much does it cost to remove a concrete sidewalk?
The average cost to remove a concrete sidewalk is between $1,000-$2,000, but can range anywhere from $500-$5,000 or more in some cases. Concrete sidewalk removal costs $3-$6 per square foot on average, but your exact project cost could be more or less than this. In the table below, you can see what others have paid for their sidewalk removal ...
What are the factors that affect the cost of concrete sidewalk removal?
The most common factors that affect the total cost of concrete sidewalk removal include: Size and depth of the sidewalk. Location and accessibility of the sidewalk. Local cost of living and debris disposal fees. Whether or not the concrete is reinforced.
Why hire a concrete removal contractor?
Hiring an experienced concrete removal contractor to handle your sidewalk removal project is important for a number of reasons, but more than anything, it's for your protection.
Is it more expensive to break up concrete?
Naturally, the larger the sidewalk and the deeper the concrete, the more expensive it will be to break it up and remove it.
Can you remove a cracked sidewalk?
Removing an old, cracked, or uns ightly concrete sidewalk can quickly improve your property's value (and safety), but you're likely wondering how much it will cost.
Can grading sidewalks cause drainage issues?
Likewise, when it comes to concrete sidewalk removal, grading the area improperly can lead to costly drainage issues down the road.
Can you remove a sidewalk without damaging the property?
A qualified concrete removal contractor will carefully consider the best way to remove the sidewalk without damaging any surrounding property, and what size/type of equipment is best for your particular project.
What is the best way to move concrete?
The main vehicles for moving concrete are a wheelbarrow or hand truck. For smaller bits and/or removal from inside a home, two 5-gallon buckets are hard to beat. Ironically, carrying one in each hand is easier than carrying just one bucket.
What is the best force to break up concrete?
Here, a jackhammer or rotary hammer instantly pierces the surface, then can get wedged in the dirt. For thin, brittle concrete, blunt force is often best. It’s lots of work, but the shockwave of steel-on-concrete breaks up more in a few whacks than other tools can deliver at the sharp point of a chisel iron.
What is a spade bit for concrete?
A 1 ½-inch spade bit is fatal to concrete’s cousin—thin-set mortar—and excels at removing tile from a subfloor. Rotary hammers are great for taking down CMU (concrete masonry units) walls, block by block.
Do you need a jackhammer for concrete?
A jackhammer may be required depending on site conditions; a rotary hammer for sure. Mix, pour, and wait. The grout expands and breaks the concrete. Plan ahead and consult the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage.
Can you rent a dumpster for concrete?
For larger projects, you may consider a dumpster rental. Some carters don’t like concrete in their boxes so make sure to ask as they might decline the job or insist you only fill the dumpster partially.
Can a digging bar be used to remove concrete?
It can create a fault line in concrete, blow by blow, and be a key player in your concrete removal toolbox. Word to the wise: As with all digging equipment, wear gloves; digging bars are blister-making tools.
Can you break up concrete with a sledgehammer?
Using a sledgehammer to break up concrete. Sledgehammers should almost never be used indoors. A notable exception is basement slabs in old houses where you might install a sump pit or perimeter drain. Basement slabs are often thin—just an inch of concrete over a substrate like coal cinders.
