Removing a concrete path - advice please

luckycat99

Hi

I'm in the middle of renovating my garden. The main problem is that we have a concrete path running down the middle of it. It is attached at one end to an area of concrete that we want to keep as this is our patio. So we want to remove the path without cracking/breaking any of the patio.

I would rather do this myself if possible rather than pay for someone to do it. What do I need to do this? I thought of a pickaxe but then worry that this will damage the patio too. Then thought of hiring a large circular saw type-thing to cut the concrete where it meets the path so that I don't crack the patio but the thought of operating one of those fills me with dread as I envisage cutting something accidentally (like my leg:eek: )! Then I could use a pickaxe for the rest of the path or maybe a big pneumatic drill type-thing but again dread the thought of doing myself some damage.

So I'd like advice please on how to remove this path safely and economically without losing a leg or the patio.

Many thanks

luckycat99

Stephen_Leak

I had good results with just a bolster chisel and a 1lb lump hammer. Just make a "score" mark in a straight line with the chisel and hammer, which creates a line of weakness, along which the concrete should fracture.

luckycat99

Thanks, these ideas sound great. If I used a chisel and hammer should I then use a pickaxe for the rest of the path?

takoo

Hi luckycat

Offer the debris for recycling - clean broken concrete - to anyone who will remove it, eg patio makers. save you the bother etc and do some good.

Takoo

V_Chic_Chick

Depending on how badly made the path is, you might find that you can get a fork underneath it and force it up (sit on it!).

Davesnave

Pickaxe is OK for levering, but a sledgehammer does more damage and is best used initially. Don't bother hiring a Kango hammer unless you really need it - I never did. If you know anyone with a 5' wrecking bar, these are brilliant; much better as levers than a pick.

Depending on how badly made the path is, you might find that you can get a fork underneath it and force it up (sit on it!).

Don't break your fork. Modern stainless ones snap suddenly. Been there, done it!

The_Biff

Those 5' wrecking bars are under £20 @ Focus - or they were last year when I bought one. Brilliant tool, & can be used as a very heavy chisel.

luckycat99

Thanks guys for all your great advice. I'm borrowing bolster chisel and lump hammer off FIL and he has some other tools like a kangoo(?) and a mattock that he is going to lend me too. So its even more moneysaving than expected! :T

I had planned to do it this weekend but rain and snow forecast so might give it a miss til weather brightens up!

Cheers