How to break concrete

This "How To" DIY video will show you some of the techniques I've learned when breaking up concrete. Using a 35lb Makita electric jackhammer and 10lb sledgehammer, this video will take you through the process from start to finish. I choose a fairly easy to handle electric jackhammer and ended up breaking the concrete up into small pieces, so I could re-use it a base layer of gravel.
Here is a link to a newer version of the demo hammer.
amzn.to/3WCSawB
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[@tandibyrne5481]

So cool. Great demo! A must-see for breaking up concrete!

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks

[@tracystjohn1957]

That was very informative. Thank you for posting

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks

[@AK-47ISTHEWAY]

Love this channel so far 👍

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks

[@ArifAli-hg1eq]

Great demo, thx.

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks for watching!

[@ilab_unboxed]

I was searching tool time and found this! Love it great work. Miss working with you. -

[@BruBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed it! Looks like you are still busy

[@larrykausch1]

This reminds me of the song breaking up is hard to do.
ruclips.net/video/tbad22CKlB4/видео.html

[@chrislumino2890]

thank you i had a study on hammer using motion for animation.
This helped

[@BruBuilds]

Glad it helped!

[@user-si1sl5sg1z]

SO satisfying to watch-- especially when frustrated!! ;)

[@BruBuilds]

Ha ha, yes it it's a good way to get out any frustrations.

[@whobitmyname]

+500 confidence acquired. Thanks!

[@BruBuilds]

Excellent!

[@lynneann9166]

kudos to you

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks

[@CenterZero_DeadSecurity]

I used my sds plus rotary hammer to do a similar job😂😂 but I made really small pieces start from the edges. I would dig a bit under thereby removing the support for the slab to make it weaker, I also made a few cuts with a circular saw to make it extra weak. Took 3 days for a piece this size.😭😵‍💫

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks for the comment and tips. Definitely beneficial if you can dig out from under the slab.

[@jasonhoskin9858]

Do concrete sidewalks ever have rebar in them? If so, what do you do to break it up?

[@BruBuilds]

Generally sidewalks wouldn’t have rebar. Rebar is used in structural concrete like foundations and slabs. A bigger Jack hammer would work better over the demo hammer I used. Still the same process, try to get it to crack and work along the cracks. Cut the rebar if you can when it gets exposed.

[@weilizhang2411]

Great demo! I need break concrete in my backyard too and it is harder than thought. Will try your technique tomorrow. Why do you use a hammer and is it a must use? I do not have a hammer.

[@BruBuilds]

I use the hammer to help create stress cracks. I don't think it's a must, but it may help.

[@jpeterson991]

I need to break up a 2” slab in my basement to run some drain lines. Is a saw cut and sledge realistic to get it done? 2” isn’t exactly thick

[@BruBuilds]

@jpeterson991 yes I would use a concrete saw to cut two parallel lines first. There should be rebar you will have to deal with so a few cross cuts might be helpful. Make sure there isn’t anything under the concrete that could be damaged. Are you sure it is only 2”, that’s not very thick for a slab.

[@jpeterson991]

@@BruBuilds I already have roughed in plumbing it’s in the wrong spot and I need to add a drain for a sink. So in the existing spots for pipes they have a gap-I probed down and can visually see only 2” thickness. You think there’s even rebar? It’s just a basement slab it’s not meant for heavy loads

[@BruBuilds]

I guess it depends on where and how old your house is, if there is rebar, a concrete saw will cut through it without a problem. I would recommend a saw that has the water attachment, it will be messy but a lot less dust. Happy DIYing!

[@timdawson1426]

What was that smaller hand-hammer called? Schematic hammer?

[@BruBuilds]

It’s a 40 year old pneumatic hammer or chisel.

[@eddievenuto1862]

I remove furniture and hauling all for myself I work for myself. Other than the person needing the person that hires me telling me what to do I'm My own Boss but I have to listen to the people that hire me they're my boss. I bought a hammer a sledgehammer and I love to break up stuff cuz I'm strong and I think it's a good.

[@BruBuilds]

It is a good workout.

[@MrEshta26]

Where do you get rid of the broken concrete ?

[@BruBuilds]

I reused over half as gravel. The rest I was able to get rid of at a land fill that took concrete. I tried to find a recycling place but didn’t have much luck. Look up placing that take construction waste in your area.

[@consultantferret9389]

So, we understood, on concrete plates you start on borders, allowing crack expansion,

[@BruBuilds]

That is what has worked well for me.

[@Edmondson_Avenue]

Yo that's not a jackhammer, that's a demo hammer also known as a chipping gun, and what you're referring to as jackhammer is technically a pavement breaker or large demo hammer, breaker, but it has different names, a real jackhammer is is a large pneumatic hammer drill, also known as a rotary rock/mining drill hammer 🔨

[@BruBuilds]

Thanks for the expertise. I appreciate the feedback. If you search Jack hammer, you get quite a variety of tools.

[@paulcrouchjr9105]

Wouldn’t it be easier to simply move?

[@BruBuilds]

And miss out on a great upper body workout!

[@tortron]

Lol I know a guy who bought a house who was previously owned by a man who loved concrete. It was everywhere, all sorts of hardness, thicknesses, sculptures. Months of removing it

[@SlackersIndustry]

I broke some about that size with a 4lb hammer that's alli had 😂

[@BruBuilds]

You must have some strong forearms now!

[@SlackersIndustry]

@@BruBuilds i wish just a broken back from that day lol great video pal

[@parrsnipps4495]

All that vibration going thru your body - no fun when you try to sleep. Buzzzzzzzzznnnnng!

[@Saint_Jerome]

Why use a machine when you are the machine?

[@BruBuilds]

Exactly

[@markmarque2592]

int crap