Dealing with concrete removal is really straightforward, although that is if you know how to do the right thing. Yes, you might save some money by removing the concrete on your own, however, it would likely take a lot of time, require a bunch of equipment, effort, and if mistakes are done, you might end up ruining more of your landscape.
First thing’s first, it is to determine which option of dealing with concrete should you do. This would ultimately be the very basis of your concrete project. When your concrete slab is dealing with the following problems, then concrete removal may be the best option
- Numerous cracks – these damages would be the wide and deep cracks that are uneven.
- Frost heaves – for concrete, this typically occurs when a part of the concrete is pushed up due to the frost that occurs in colder climates.
Meanwhile, a simple, more cost-effective, and faster repair may be recommended when dealing with the following problems:
- Thin cracks – small, hairline cracks with no evidence of settling.
- Some cases of sunken concrete – are typically caused by heavy equipment or load that was placed and constantly provide stress for the concrete
How much does it cost to have my concrete removed?
As stated in a statistic, it states that homeowners would typically pay around $1,444 worth of professional concrete slab removal. Although the typical range of prices when it comes to concrete removal would only be about somewhere in between $679 and $2,848. It may also range as $2 and $6 per square foot.
It is best to simply ask your concrete contractor for a more accurate estimate, however, these costs will depend on a few factors including the following:
- How much concrete needs to be removed
- Potential fees for disposal
- Location
Another great reference you can use to have a better idea of professional concrete demolition would be the following:
- A normal sidewalk or patio that encompasses an area around 100-300 sq ft would cost $1,000-$2,000 on average. This only applies in the case that the concrete can be recycled, however, in the case that it cannot, costs may go higher.
- A typical driveway removal costs $1,500 – $2,500 and up, however, the size of the driveway would still be a great factor that would impact the final price. Also, if the driveway was completed with reinforced concrete, it’s more difficult to remove and the cost to remove it will likely go up.
- A concrete foundation removal generally costs $1,000 – $5,000.
How do I know if I need concrete removal?
The following factors can be references to use in order to identify if it is time to say good-bye to your concrete:
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Several Deep Cracks
Naturally, concrete is prone to cracking and for the most part cracks in concrete are nothing to freak out about. But, when cracks go ignored for a long time they have the potential to grow into massive breaks, and separation of slabs may even occur.
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Freeze/Thaw Damages
These damages are typically the result of moisture that seeps through cracks in concrete it would also sink below and just stay there. Because of this, the moisture would freeze and expand when temperatures drop and then thaw and shrink when temperatures rise.
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Pitting or Spalling
This is usually the case when concrete is coming off in chunks. In such cases, there could be several causes as to why this happens, these may be the results of poor insulation, as well as freeze/thaw cycles.
Is it safe to remove concrete myself?
It is possible to remove small-scale concrete steps or patio. So long as you have proper gear, tools, as well as helping hands, then it should be fine. Although you should still be cautious and careful as accidents can happen at any given time. Although if done carefully, it could end up saving money.
How to clean up concrete
There are numerous ways to clean concrete, however, one of the most popular methods is to simply fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar (or water and baking soda), as well as add a little bit of liquid dish detergent. After this, you may spray the mixture on your concrete surface and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then scrub and rinse your concrete.
How to find a good concrete removal company
It could be difficult to find yourself a trustworthy Grand Rapids concrete contractor, however, our concrete contractors are professionals. We have experience and have been dealing with such work for years. With that said, we can confidently say that we would be able to provide you with the best quality work and customer service.