Digging out a concrete yard

MarkAnthony · 15-04-2016 10:41PM #1

I've a 10ft x 10ft yard (approx) that's raised by about a foot walled in on three sides. I'd like to dig it out it'll need a pneumatic drill I'm guessing and the rubble will have to be taken out in a wheelbarrow.

Does anyone know if this is something I can do myself? (renting the drill) probably not a good idea in fairness or a rough guestimate cost on getting someone in to do it? I also need part of a wall knocking but it's an hour with a sledge hammer job that one.

Thanks in advance.

Calahonda52 · 16-04-2016 09:51AM

the thickness of the slab?
Reinforced with mesh?
are walls built on slab?

Might be easier if slab can be cut into strips if its thick, using one of those machines they use on roads

vicwatson · 16-04-2016 10:08AM

Yes you can DIY. No bother to you.

MarkAnthony · 16-04-2016 11:30AM

Calahonda52 wrote: »

the thickness of the slab?
Reinforced with mesh?
are walls built on slab?

Might be easier if slab can be cut into strips if its thick, using one of those machines they use on roads

I'm afraid I've no idea. It's a old concrete drive I think. The walls are more recent so probably just built on top of the concrete.

Calahonda52 · 16-04-2016 06:39PM

MarkAnthony wrote: »

I'm afraid I've no idea. It's a old concrete drive I think. The walls are more recent so probably just built on top of the concrete.

If driveway is there access for a mini digger....?

MarkAnthony · 16-04-2016 09:47PM

Calahonda52 wrote: »

If driveway is there access for a mini digger....?

I'm afraid not. My house and the house at right angles to me are new builds on the end of the existing rows. The 'drive' is the old drive (and gates which I need to get rid of) from the house behind (the original end of terrace) the house at right angles to me.

Sorry if that's not very clear.

My major concern is disturbing the drive of the house across from me as the concrete probably still forms part of their side entrance. Will cutting it be enough to prevent the breaker from breaking up the concrete on their side through vibration?

I can rent the kit for about €200 for a couple of days - plus I'll need a skip. Are we getting into the territory of being able to afford a builder to do this or will they be looking for four figures does anyone know?

Thanks again all!

MarkAnthony · 03-05-2016 11:12PM

Actually turns out a mini digger will fit, they only need 30" - very surprised. I was quoted in the region of 2K does that sound about right?

893bet · 03-05-2016 11:17PM

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Actually turns out a mini digger will fit, they only need 30" - very surprised. I was quoted in the region of 2K does that sound about right?

Sounds expensive. Are you any good with your hands?

Rent a kango, get a skip, a wheel barrow, two shovels, a friend and dig in for a Saturday and I wager you clear it for less than 500.

How thick is the concrete?

the_pen_turner · 03-05-2016 11:29PM

drill a hole in the concrete to see how thick it is

if its only 2"then a large kango will break it up or even a sledge if you have a starting point.

if its over 2" then I would get the pneumatic kango in. they will break up heavy concrete with ease.
I broke 12" thick concrete with one a month ago.

where are you based. im presuming a city. anyone in the country ,villages, or towns would get a local farmer with a trailer to take it away. they will fill a hole somewhere

if the walls are on top you have a serious problem

Dudda · 03-05-2016 11:39PM

893bet wrote: »

Sounds expensive. Are you any good with your hands?

Rent a kango, get a skip, a wheel barrow, two shovels, a friend and dig in for a Saturday and I wager you clear it for less than 500.

How thick is the concrete?

Agree. Took out something similar myself recently. Don't forget a hacksaw for and steel you find. If it's old it won't have much if any. Two inexperienced people should still get it done on a Saturday and if it takes another hour or two on Sunday no big problem.

If you're worried rent the Kango but not the skip and leave back the Kango after a few hours if you're not able. If you get it all broken up then just get the skip delivered for the following weekend and wheel it out. You can leave it where it is broken up for the week.

You'll get great satisfaction of you do it yourself.

MarkAnthony · 03-05-2016 11:46PM

Thanks folks! I think it's about 9-12" thick. The reason I'm thinking of doing it myself again is I way only take out a strip that's in the way, drill the rest (for drainage) and turf it and use it as a bit a lawn - bad idea?

I could actually use the rubble for backfill for some raised beds I have planned, but I can always get a skip.

I also need to knock down a wall - would it be a similar thing I need to rent? A Kango?

Thanks for the help! Much obliged.

Metric Tensor · 04-05-2016 12:41AM

I'd say if you stick up a picture if the area people here would be able to give you some even better advice.

Trying to put grass on top of concrete (not sure if that's what you are suggesting) is a total waste of time.

MarkAnthony · 04-05-2016 11:33AM

Metric Tensor wrote: »

I'd say if you stick up a picture if the area people here would be able to give you some even better advice.

Trying to put grass on top of concrete (not sure if that's what you are suggesting) is a total waste of time.

Yep that's what I was thinking or decking over it.

With you on the pics, I'll pop some up later today.

Many Thanks!

MarkAnthony · 06-05-2016 06:26PM

So here are the pics

I had a go at the breeze blocks so I could see a cross section. I don't reckon it's much deeper than a breeze block but who knows.

The quote came back at almost 3K :eek: so I'm going to at least have a go myself. I thought this might be what I need. For €120 for the week (+VAT) it's not bad although I'll probably need to rent the chisel etc. separately. Doesn anyone know if that's an electric one? Will it be up to the task?

Thanks again!

Calahonda52 · 08-05-2016 09:15PM

This not done yet? LOL

that breaker is a heavy bugger so unless you are in good shape in the shoulders and lower back I might get something else.
The pics show that the floor was raised after the walls were built so happy days on that score.
Have you a crow bar to prise off the blocks and see whats behind no need to break them

The kango would do the wall but the other breaker is just down!

MarkAnthony · 08-05-2016 11:27PM

Calahonda52 wrote: »

This not done yet? LOL

that breaker is a heavy bugger so unless you are in good shape in the shoulders and lower back I might get something else.
The pics show that the floor was raised after the walls were built so happy days on that score.
Have you a crow bar to prise off the blocks and see whats behind no need to break them

The kango would do the wall but the other breaker is just down!

Many Thanks! Seems some rubble was put there the blocks thrown down and some concrete poured. Many thanks for the tips! Any suggestions on what I should get to do the job? Has to fit in the back of a Fiat 500 :pac:

JonathonS · 09-05-2016 04:05PM

MarkAnthony wrote: »

MAny suggestions on what I should get to do the job? Has to fit in the back of a Fiat 500 :pac:

I bought one of these in Aldi for €150 and it has broken slab to a depth of 150mm. http://www.samhire.ie/drilling-breaking/item/27-breaking/66-demolition-hammer-heavy-duty.html

Have a look on Done Deal, it might work out cheaper to buy 2nd hand rather than renting, and you would not be under pressure to finish so quickly.

Wheety · 09-05-2016 04:28PM

I used one similar to the above linked breaker and it took up a 12ft x 20ft foundation. It was not filled in but just the perimeter of the rectangle. Will get something similar again for taking up footpath in back garden.

Markcheese · 09-05-2016 04:31PM

A feicin' big sledge . You'd have the whole lot broken up in 30 mins or so... then all you need to do is haul it out...

MarkAnthony · 09-05-2016 04:34PM

Markcheese wrote: »

A feicin' big sledge . You'd have the whole lot broken up in 30 mins or so... then all you need to do is haul it out...

A manual one? Really - I think I'd be dead after 5 minutes!

Digging out a concrete yard

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