3 Tools Every DIY Remodeler Should Be Familiar With for Demolition
Demolition Tools Every DIY Remodeler Should Know
1. Sledgehammer
The sledgehammer is perhaps one of the most well-known demolition tools used for various DIY home remodeling projects. This large, heavy hammer provides immense force, capable of destructing walls, breaking concrete, or knocking things loose. With a long handle and heavy, double-faced steel head, sledgehammers are perfect when working in wide-open spaces.
Sledgehammers come in different sizes and weights to match your demolition needs, from the 8-pound variety with a shorter handle for tight spaces, to the significantly larger 20-pound model with a long handle for maximum swing power. When using a sledgehammer, remember to wear proper safety equipment, such as goggles, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
For example, if you’re taking down a non-load bearing wall, putting on your safety gear and wielding the sledgehammer, you can start by making a series of controlled swings at strategic points like studs or drywall areas until that part of the wall collapses.
- Destroy load-bearing walls
- Break up bricks or cinder blocks
- Fracture concrete slabs
- Remove floor or wall tiles
- Kickstart a demolition project
- Knock away unwanted objects
2. Pry Bar
A pry bar is essentially a lever with a flattened, curved end designed for prying materials apart, pulling out nails or staples, and lifting heavier objects. They are commonly made of carbon or alloy steel, which ensures they can withstand strong forces during use. Pry bars are essential in the toolbox of any DIY remodeler as they provide excellent leverage for efficiently removing materials without causing too much damage to the surrounding area.
Pry bars come in various lengths and widths to suit different jobs. Common sizes include 12 inches, 18 inches, and 36 inches. When choosing a pry bar, consider the size and weight of the materials you’ll be working with, as well as the space available for maneuvering the tool.
Many people have successfully used pry bars for lifting floorboards or plywood without damaging the edges. To accomplish this, simply slide the flat end of the pry bar between the floorboard and its neighboring piece and then push down on the handle to create leverage, pulling the floorboards apart.
- Remove trim or baseboards
- Disassemble pallets
- Remove embedded nails or staples
- Take up floor coverings
- Safely remove windows or glass panes
- Create small holes for easier access with other tools
3. Jackhammer
Last but not least is the jackhammer, an invaluable tool when it comes to heavy-duty projects that require breaking up slabs of concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces. Jackhammers are powered by electricity or compressed air, making them perfect for tearing down large structures like old driveways, sidewalks, or thick flooring. Due to their immense power, proper safety gear and training are key while using these tools.
Residential-scaled jackhammers are more affordable, smaller, and quieter than their commercial counterparts. Typically weighing around 35 pounds and employing around 14 amps of electricity or pneumatic pressure, they may not demolish materials as quickly as a commercial jackhammer, but should suit most DIY remodeling needs.
Imagine having to uproot an old layer of concrete in your backyard to create more green space. To do this, turn on the jackhammer and begin breaking away at strategic corners or edges. The powerful vibrations generated will shatter the material into smaller, manageable chunks that can be removed and hauled away.
- Remove unwanted driveways, walkways, or paths
- Break up solidified rock or stone
- Demolish industrial flooring or tiled surfaces
- Tear down concrete, brick, or cinder block walls
- Excavate tree root balls, stubborn posts, or stumps
- Create trenches for utility line installations
