How to Salvage Antique Concrete Blocks

Antique concrete blocks make stunning artistic decorative displays in any room. They can be also be reused in new building projects. Many are prized for their stunning floral or figurative designs and can be found in antique salvage yards at high prices. If you want to remove and salvage antique concrete blocks yourself from an old building, you will have to be extremely careful and plan well ahead so you do not damage them during removal. Plus, you will have to make sure you have permission from the owner of the building or the demolition company before removing antique blocks. Some companies will have you sign a release form to wave any liability in the event you are hurt while removing the antique blocks.

Dust mask
Safety goggles
Bristle brush
Gloves
Hard hat
Hammer
Various masonry chisels
Circular saw with masonry blade
Wooden board cut to size of block
Rubber mallet hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Plan ahead by working with the demolition company that is removing the building. Get permission to remove the blocks and find out the times you can be on site. Wear proper safety equipment such as a hard hat, goggles, gloves and dust mask. Plan every move you make, being careful not to work under dangerous overhanging debris or to walk on unstable surfaces. Make sure you are not removing blocks from a load-bearing wall. Safety is the number one priority when salvaging antique concrete blocks.
- 2
  Remove and stack any blocks that have fallen off the building due to demolition from the wrecking ball. Use the bristle brush to clean off loose mortar pieces. Separate complete blocks from slightly damaged blocks that will need to be patched later. Because of the age of the mortar, some blocks may break away from the mortar cleanly.
- 3
  Score the lines of the mortar around a block that you want to remove from a wall with the masonry chisel and hammer. Be careful not to damage the edges of the block as you chisel these lines.
- 4
  Cut through the scored lines all the way around the block with the circular saw. Continue to cut over these same lines all the way around until the maximum cutting depth of the saw is reached. Repeat this same cutting process on the opposite side of the block if it is accessible.
- 5
  Break the mortar lines all around the block using the chisel and hammer.
- 6
  Loosen the block by placing the wooden board against the side of the block and hammering with the rubber mallet.
- 7
  Continue the process of cutting the mortar, chiseling and hammering until the antique concrete block has loosened completely. Remove and clean the block with the bristle brush and stack with others.

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