Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - What to do with this tilted sidewalk?

Hello everyone,

I need some advice as to what can be done about a shifting sidewalk. The sidewalk in question wraps around the north side of the house to the back door. Most of it is fine, but towards the rear of the house it's really crooked. I took a few pictures so you can see what I'm talking about:


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The way the sidewalk is tilting, it's angled in towards the house. I worry about water draining down towards the foundation, especially with the gutter downspouts being located along this stretch of crooked concrete.

I'm thinking a sledgehammer would smash this thing up quite nicely, then I could even out the ground and do some planting where the sidewalk used to be. Being a first time homeowner and do-it-yourself'er I just wanted some input from anyone who is familiar with this type of problem and the best way to solve it before I go swinging a sledgehammer around.

Thanks!

That sure is a big pitch. I would remove it too. The job wasn't done right. Rent an electric jack hammer. Don't try to do it with a sledge. What are going to do with the old concrete, rent a dumpster?

A jackhammer, you say? That would probably save my back and shoulder muscles, for sure :thinker: I was thinking that if I could break the concrete into big enough slabs I could recycle them as stepping stones elsewhere in the yard, or maybe even use some pieces to edge my flower beds. It would seem like a tremendous waste to just throw it away, especially while I've got a completely barren landscape in desperate need of some creative spiffing up. I have a pretty neat idea to use the broken chunks of concrete and some moss or other interesting ground cover to create sort of a patio space between the back door and the area I've designated as the home of the raised garden beds I'll be building this spring.

As long as it's okay to go ahead and demolish the sidewalk, that is.

Concrete is considered permanent in some areas and therefor increases your home owner taxes. Without the concrete you might save a few pennies on your tax bill. See if you need a permit to remove the side walk (the town I work in I swear they need a permit for every little thing) If they screwed the sidewalk so bad WHERE ARE THE PIPES ETC? Call your local utilities finder to locate where they underground wires are, should be no charge. Would sure hate to have you hit something with the jackhammer.

I wouldn't involve the town for that but watch for pipes and electric. If you have a use for the old concrete, then keep it.

Have a jack hammer, a pick, a sledge and a pinch bar, also called a digging bar.