We are having a good size deck put on our home but the previous owners had concrete put over a fairly good size of the back yard and all the way up to the steps. Have any of you moms ever jack hammered cement yourself? Did you have a back ache after doing it? We want to get our deck in before it starts getting cold.
Also for local moms, do you know of anyone who does this kind of stuff? Who could I call to get an estimate?
Oh my goodness. Back home there is a frozen custard company that has something called A Jackhammer Concrete, that's what I thought you were talking about by the heading. :)
make an anonymous call to the sheriffs office telling them that there might be a dead body buried under the slab, they will do all the jack hammering for ya ;)
You best get a professional.
It is big work to break up a concrete slab. Not to mention knowing the handling of the equipment and safety.
Also make real sure.... that underneath the concrete slab... that there are NO.... utilities/plumbing etc.
Thanks GrammaT... I needed that laugh!
I've done it... and yes. Hard to control (I'm 6'1 and pretty strong), especially once your arms go numb from the vibrations. You ALSO need some reeeeeeally pricey ear protection (at about $100 a pop). Pricing what I needed (rental and ear protection) it was cheaper the 2nd time around to have a pro do it. (The first time was military, they had everything and just handed out gear and "Break it down barney style" insturctions. Most of which involved how not to break yourself.)
So you know, though, a big old sledge hammer will usually do the work as well as a jack hammer. It just takes a little longer and you need a crowbar. Easier on the body for one not used to jackhammering at least. (like me)
I agree that a professional is probably the way to go. I just want to say that you have WAY more energy than me! I wouldn't even think of jack hammering concrete myself! :-D Enjoy your new deck whenever it gets up!
In college, my hubby ran a jack hammer for a company. He hated it. He said it gave the worst headache of his life, it literally shakes your brain around all day. It's heavy, hard to control and yes it will give you a back ache, neck ache, head ache and your arms will hurt. My hubby would rather spend days working with hand tools rather than using a jack hammer. Unless you have someone with a construction background helping and guiding you, a professional is the way to go. Money well spent.
I have jack hammered and let a man do it. they are very hard to control and you better wear steel shoes if you do it yourself incase you lose control to keep from smashing your foot to pieces.
If it's a large area, you can rent a Bobcat with a jackhammer attachment. Still loud, but no back ache. ;) Better yet, hire it done. This is one of those trades where even if you CAN do it yourself, you'll be so much happier if you pay someone to do it. Think of it this way. Say you rent a little jackhammer and break up all the concrete yourself (and keep in mind, there will be rebar throughout that slab, which you will have to cut up as well). THEN what? You'll have to rent a dumpster. Then you'll have to schlep all that broken concrete and rebar to the dumpster and heave every piece in there. Nooooo thanks. Hire a demolition company to do it. They have the right equipment and do this all day every day. Good luck!
