How to Tear Up Cement Sidewalks

Slip on a pair of long pants and steel-toed work boots to protect your legs and feet during the removal of the concrete sidewalk. Goggles, earplugs and work gloves are also strongly recommended for this project.

Move the tip of the jackhammer approximately 1 foot back from the corner of one of the squares of concrete sidewalk that you wish to remove.

Place both hands firmly on the jackhammer's handles, then tilt the jackhammer toward your body just slightly.

Start the jackhammer by squeezing the handles.

Stop squeezing the handles once the tip of the jackhammer breaks into the concrete sidewalk. Press the jackhammer down to pry up the piece of sidewalk and loosen it.

Move the tip of the jackhammer around the perimeter of the concrete square, then move in toward the center of the square. Once the concrete has been broken into manageable chunks, remove them. Continue onto the next square of sidewalk until the entire sidewalk has been removed.