Break up concrete or deck over ?

Dan-Dan

There wont be any way rats can get in if i use the brick base as the frame and deck to the back wall

DRP

I had always been wary of decks harbouring rats - but we had an area of decking that was suspended by about 30cm to provide a nice living area for rats underneath, yet we never had a problem in 9 years living there, despite seeing occasional rat antics in the early mornings both in the street and in our garden.

Just anecdotal, but a deck isn't necessarily a rat haven.

Dan-Dan

Well,deckings out....the brick surround started coming away so I have knocked the sides away leaving the slab of concrete , which is 4 inches thick and has a mix of stones in it (I was going to use the surround as the decking base)

Underneath the slab ( a chunk on the corner has come free) is flat patio so eager to get the slab up so can have a level area

Cango or crowbar/brick chisel and sladge hammer ? I need to be careful of the sliding doors.....

wallbash

Well having just checked , it would cost me nearly £50 for a breaker for the w/e.

But swinging a sledge hammer , with the resulting flying stones near your glass doors !!!!

If you can start from a corner , lift a small section ( a large wreaking bar/ crow bar) , wedge a stone underneath, then hit the raised section . it should crack. But you will now have the problem of dealing with a lot of waste.

I would have reinstalled the brick surround, less mess, less cost, less work .

justintime999

Deck it. The hard floor can be used for something in the future. Always handy to have a hard floor.

Dan-Dan

I cannot use the base really , the whole brick surround would need rebuilding = cost , and the base has a corner broken off already

I`m commited now , it`ll have to be bashed about and got rid off , though i am laying a couple of patios so hoping some will be of use as hardcore

I had an idea to help protect the windows etc , to drill into the slab strategically with a large masonary drill bit , and get my bolster out and brake it up like that....with a coupel of brothers helping me carry the waste to the bottom of the garden/skip

Long hard work , but free!