3 Tips To Help You Prepare To Break Down Concrete

There are many different reasons why one may need to break through concrete. Maybe you need to repair a patio or driveway. Maybe you need to access utilities that are underneath concrete that you poured already. No matter the reason, breaking through concrete is a difficult task. Here are a few tips that will help you take on this challenging task. 

#1 Make Sure You Have The Right Tools

In order to tackle this challenging job, you need to have the right tools on hand. If the concrete is not too thick and is not reinforced with rebar, you can break it apart with a sledge hammer. 

If the concrete is thick or has rebar in it, you are going to need more substantial tools. You will need either a pneumatic jack hammer, electric breaker or hammer drill to cut through and break down stronger concrete. 

#2 Make Sure You Have Protective Gear

You are going to need to protect yourself when you are breaking the concrete apart. Small chunks of concrete may break up and fly in multiple directions when you are cutting it. Larger chunks of concrete may get dropped when you are moving them. There are lots of risks associated with breaking and cutting concrete, which is why you need to make sure you have the right protective gear.

You will want to purchase thick construction gloves to protect your fingers from sharp concrete edges and from any potential injuries you could sustain using the tools to cut the concrete with. You'll want to wear goggles, not glasses, so that your eyes are completely protected from flying dust and chips of concrete. Breaking up concrete can also get really loud, so make sure some earplugs to protect your inner ear. 

Breaking up concrete can also create a lot of dust that you don't want to breathe in, so you'll want to wear either a respirator or dust mask so that you don't breathe in the concrete dust. 

You should also cover up your body so that you don't get cut by the concrete. You should wear long sleeves and pants when you break up the concrete. You should also wear steel toe boots to protect your feet from falling chucks of concrete.

#3 Make Sure You Have Somewhere To Dispose Of The Concrete

Finally, make sure that you have somewhere to dispose of the concrete before you get started on the job. If you plan on using the broken up chunks of concrete for projects around your home, make sure you have a designed place to put it and a wheelbarrow to transport the chunks of concrete.

If you don't plan on using the concrete around your home, you may want to rent a dumpster to put all the concrete in. Make sure you let the dumpster rental company know that you will be using for construction waste. 

Before you start concrete breaking, make sure you have the right supplies, right protective gear and a means of disposal. Having all these things lined up before you get started will make the job go smoother.