Ever since the ancient Romans discovered the use of concrete in building the majestic Roman Empire, concrete has gained tremendous popularity around the world. Concrete is now the most widely used construction material in the world, which is used in everything from building skyscrapers in the Chicago Loop, to paving small and humble pathways that you can find all throughout the Chicagoland area. But sometimes, as sturdy and as useful as it is, you need to have it removed from a building or home.

Now, you may be wondering: what is the best way to remove concrete from your property?

Listed below are the different types of concrete demolition and removal methods that can be used to achieve your desired results. The following methods are categorized based on how the process impacts the concrete. You can choose the method that best suits your needs, budget, specifications, and the nature of the concrete removal project.

Cutting Method

This method cuts the concrete into a full-depth perimeter to separate it for removal as a unit. The load-carrying capacities of the lifting and transporting equipment used in the process determine the unit’s maximum size. With this method, since the bulk of concrete is removed as units, the handling of debris is very efficient. Plus, no heat, vibration, and dust are produced in this process. This method often involves the use of stitch drilling, diamond saws, thermal tools, and abrasive water jets.

Blasting Method

This method uses gas that quickly expands in a confined space within a series of boreholes. This process can create controlled fractures that allow for the removal of the concrete. One example of this is explosive blasting, which can be used to efficiently break apart mass structures of concrete. The resulting debris is small in size, and it can be easily handled during removal.

Impacting Method

This method applies the force of repeated strikes on the concrete’s surface, which fracture and shatter it into small fragments. This method utilizes either a boom-mounted breaker or a hand-held breaker.

Presplitting Method

This method applies force created by a wedge-like tool or equipment on boreholes with a designed pattern to crack the concrete’s surface, which is done in a controlled manner to facilitate concrete removal. This method utilizes hydraulic splitters and chemical-expansive agents.

Crushing Method

This method uses equipment with jaws that are hydraulically powered to crush and remove the concrete. Some common examples of this equipment are the boom-mounted mechanical crusher and the portable mechanical crusher.

Milling Method

The milling method uses abrasion and erosion techniques on the concrete’s surface until the first layer of concrete peels away from the rebar underneath. Rebar is the mesh of steel that supports the concrete and gives the foundation its strength. Hydromilling (also known as hydrodemolition) and rotary-head milling are the two most common types within this method.

Choosing and performing one of these types of concrete removal methods can be very daunting and labor-intensive, especially if you do not have any experience in operating the heavy equipment needed to perform these jobs. To save you a lot of worry and hassle, it is best to leave this job to a professional concrete contractor.

Looking for Concrete Demolition and Removal Services in Chicago and the Suburbs?

If you need concrete or any other surface removed from your property, contact the experts at Via Galante Cement Contractors. Our team offers cement demolition, concrete demolition, and more. Give us a call today at (773) 589-9893 or send us an email at [email protected] to learn more about our demolition services in Chicago and the surrounding areas.