# Breaking a Cement Slab
Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- Hat
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Work gloves
- Pick
- Sledgehammer
- Shovel
Instructions
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1
Put on safety glasses, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a dust mask, a hat and work gloves. You will need a helper to assist you with this project; your helper should wear the same safety gear that you do.
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2
Find the outer edge of the cement or concrete slab. Dig out few inches of soil from underneath the edge of the slab with a pick. Remove just enough soil so that you can fit the edge of the pick under the edge of the slab.
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3
Have your helper hold the pick under the edge of the slab and pull the handle toward himself to raise the slab slightly.
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4
Hit the surface of the slab with a sledgehammer about 24 to 36 inches from the edge being held up by the pick. Continue hitting the same spot with the sledgehammer until the slab breaks.
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5
Smash the piece of slab that has broken off with sledgehammer into smaller pieces so you can remove them. Remove the pieces with a shovel and discard.
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6
Continue using the pick and sledgehammer to break away the edge of the slab 2 to 3 feet at a time until you remove as much cement or concrete as you wish. Remove the debris with the shovel.
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1
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