Hi can anyone suggest the best way to demolish a concrete garden fence?
Question:The fence is in sections and held up by posts (which I would also like to remove. Additionally the fence has what looks like a wire frame/support will this cause me too many problems? Many thanks in advance
Michael
Answers:
There are 4 separate tasks here.
1 Knocking the Wall down. This depends how thick it is. Probably the easiest way is to break it off at the posts in sections. You could use a Sledge hammer, or a diamond bladed concrete saw. The problem with the sledge hammer is that the wire mesh will have to be cut manually because it is an embedded rebar that runs through the whole fence. The saw will cut through it. This is a heavy powerful version of a circular saw and you have to be pretty sturdy to handle it safely.
2. Rip out the posts.. Dig around each post to the bottom of the concrete on one side and wrap a sturdy chain around it and then to a bumper of a strong car/pickup. Pull slowly, have someone watching at a distance so you don't rip the bumper off the car.
3. Break up the sections of the fence. The Diamond saw blade is best for that because of the re bar. A jack hammer can be used, but you will have to cut the re bar again.
4. Get rid of the huge pile of concrete crap and metal. In most of the US this needs to be recycled. This will require the leasing of a dumpster.
Depending on the cost of renting the tools and the dumpster plus the risk to you or your buddy's pickup, it might be better to have someone do it for you. Get the prices from a couple of demolition guys and do the math
Rent a jackhammer from your local Hardware store... Lowes, Home Depot, etc.
blow it up
A bulldozer. But to tell you the truth that just goes to show how much I really don't know about that kind of stuff, sorry.
You have two options.
One is manual. With a sledge hammer. Try inviting friends over to draw pictures of exgirlfriends, bosse and mother-in-laws on your wall...and then give them big hammers. Best to take turns and keep the beers until afterwards to avoid accidents.
The other is with with a bobcat and attatchment - a claw bucket or jackhammer. You need to get someone who knows what they are doing - http://web.mac.com/visionrenovations.
DO NOT rent a jackhammer and use it yourself. There are too many dangers. You need someone insured and licensed. Just the toll it will take on your body alone could keep you off work!
I like the bulldozer idea. Not as much work as the jackhammer. Jackhammer's aren't nice.
Got a pickup truck or an SUV and a heavy duty chain?
Back it in there, attach the chain to the trailer hitch and pull it down, don't jerk it, one pole at a time. Please note: If the soil is really hard lossen it first so you don't tear up the yard or your vehicle.
The length of the wall is less important than the thickness of the wall. If the wall is thicker than six inches I would recommend using a jackhammer. It's not as hard as you'd think. I'd recommend a smaller electric one as oppesed to a large gas powered for a project this size.If the wall is less than six inches thick you should be able to get away with using a 20lb sledge hammer. Try standing on the wall and swinging down into the side of it rather than standing beside it. This will ease some of the strain on your body. If the wall was built properly you should'nt be able to pull it out with a truck. A bobcat might be able to push it over but, you will still have to break it apart to remove it from your property. I would recomend busting it up where it is. Is the wire imbedded in the concrete? I assume it is because there should be some type of reinforcement in the wall. It may cause you some problems depending on the thickness of the wire. If it can be easily cut, there shouldn't be a problem. If there is rebar in it, you'll need a saw with a diamond blade to cut it apart.
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