Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Best Tool For Breaking Up Basement Floor
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mchrist
10-26-04, 07:10 PM
Hi:
Unfortunately, we need to replace the home sewage line buried beneath the basement slab. To save costs, I want to breakup the slab. At a local Home Depot they have offered 2 options: Wet saw (then a sledge hammer to breakup the concrete) or jack hammer.
I'm looking for advice or suggestions for the best tool for the job. "Best" in this case is for a medium-skilled do-it-yourselfer.
Thanks.
Unfortunately, we need to replace the home sewage line buried beneath the basement slab. To save costs, I want to breakup the slab. At a local Home Depot they have offered 2 options: Wet saw (then a sledge hammer to breakup the concrete) or jack hammer.
I'm looking for advice or suggestions for the best tool for the job. "Best" in this case is for a medium-skilled do-it-yourselfer.
Thanks.
majakdragon
10-26-04, 07:42 PM
Best in this case is a 2 way street. You would probably be able to use both tools sucessfully. Do you already know exactly where the line is?
If you want it to look good when you finish, I would rent both. The saw will give you a nice straight edge for the replacement concrete. No chipout edges to try to feather in and hope they don't chip back out. The jack hammer to do the work. Swinging a sledgehammer gets old REAL quick and I would guess your concrete is at least 4 to 6 inches thick. (maybe both) Your choice.
I was always told : Each step you save today....you can take tomorrow.
Good luck and post back.
If you want it to look good when you finish, I would rent both. The saw will give you a nice straight edge for the replacement concrete. No chipout edges to try to feather in and hope they don't chip back out. The jack hammer to do the work. Swinging a sledgehammer gets old REAL quick and I would guess your concrete is at least 4 to 6 inches thick. (maybe both) Your choice.
I was always told : Each step you save today....you can take tomorrow.
Good luck and post back.
mchrist
10-27-04, 05:31 AM
Majakdragon:
Thanks for the response--and the great suggestion...hadn't thought about renting both, but I understand the advantages. You're right, swinging a sledge hammer would get old. But there's another problem with the sledge: the relatively low height of the ceiling would prevent me from delivering a hard, full-forced blow.
Thanks for the response--and the great suggestion...hadn't thought about renting both, but I understand the advantages. You're right, swinging a sledge hammer would get old. But there's another problem with the sledge: the relatively low height of the ceiling would prevent me from delivering a hard, full-forced blow.
majakdragon
10-27-04, 05:38 AM
If you are doing this with no other help and the rental store isn't too far away, you might consider renting the saw and then the jack hammer. Why have one tool sitting and wasting money. Good luck.
pgtek
10-28-04, 06:40 AM
yeap i agree
get a saw and cut trenchs and used jack hammer
Or used the mother in law
cheers
get a saw and cut trenchs and used jack hammer
Or used the mother in law
cheers
smogtek
10-28-04, 09:10 PM
I'm with the saw as well.
I just took out about 600 sq ft of concrete in my yard and also cut a utility line trench 50 ft X 12".
Cut the patio into 18 square inch pieces and used a sledge to break it up. Once you get that first piece out, you can slide a pick under the concrete, lift it slightly and then use the sledge. That way it doesn't take much of a blow.
One tip: Check on how much the rental place charges for blade wear. You can use up your wear allowance REAL QUICK! I ended up buying a blade for about $185 and just rented the saw.
HTH
Matt
I just took out about 600 sq ft of concrete in my yard and also cut a utility line trench 50 ft X 12".
Cut the patio into 18 square inch pieces and used a sledge to break it up. Once you get that first piece out, you can slide a pick under the concrete, lift it slightly and then use the sledge. That way it doesn't take much of a blow.
One tip: Check on how much the rental place charges for blade wear. You can use up your wear allowance REAL QUICK! I ended up buying a blade for about $185 and just rented the saw.
HTH
Matt