Getting Rid of an Old Concrete Slab For a New Driveway
You’ve finally decided to get rid of your old driveway to give way for a new one. The problem is you don’t know a single thing about installing a new driveway or the task of concrete removal or how much it costs in the first place. Don’t worry, because our professional team of concreters on the Gold Coast has got you covered. Check out our post below to learn more.
Why homeowners would want to remove an old concrete slab
- Getting rid of an old concrete slab is essential if it is severely damaged and there’s no way to cover it up.
- The top layer is spalling or there are discoloured patches all over the surface.
- You want to move your driveway to another part of the house or you want to modify its shape.
- You want to switch the material from smooth concrete to exposed aggregate or brushed concrete.
Materials for Removing That Old Concrete Slab
- A shovel
- A sledgehammer for thinner slabs or a jackhammer for thicker ones
- A pry bar
- A bolt cutter for cutting wire mesh underneath
- A circular saw or angle grinder for cutting steel rebars
- A wheelbarrow for removing debris
Concreters Gold Coast also ensures that all our team members are equipped with the right personal protective equipment, including safety goggles, ear protection, work gloves, and work shoes. We also have cleaning tools and a skip to take away broken slabs, wire mesh, and steel rebars.
Removing an Old Concrete Slab
Now here comes the exciting part: breaking up the slab. But before we get to work, we need to cover any slabs located near glass windows or sliding glass doors with a sheet of plastic. We’re also going to ensure that your plumbing pipes and other utilities are safe by marking them.
To remove a concrete slab that is less than 4 inches thick, first we have to dig beside and under it so it comes loose and becomes easier to work on. Next, we’re going to break it apart using a sledgehammer. If the slab is more than four inches thick, then we bring in our handy jackhammer.
Thinner slabs are pried from the ground using a large pry bar. Any wire mesh uncovered underneath is cut using bolt cutters. But if it’s a thick steel rebar, then there’s no way around it except to cut it using an angle grinder or a circular saw.
We’ll put all broken concrete slabs, rebars, and other debris in a wheelbarrow and load them onto a skip so they can be disposed of properly. Dust and smaller debris are removed using a broom and a dustpan.
So there you have it, how to get rid of an old driveway to make way for a new one. If you have additional questions for our concreters on the Gold Coast or you want us to give your driveway a sleek makeover, then simply give us a call and we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.