I built a 2-foot high retaining wall using concrete blocks and landscapers adhesive last year, but now I need to tear it down because of a tree that fell. The wall measures 2 feet tall, 18 feet long, and consists of 3 blocks stacked high with a cap on top. Each block is 4 x 11 x 7 inches. I'm not planning to save the blocks, so I was wondering if a sledgehammer is the best way to go about it? I tried using a hammer and crowbar, but it didn't really work out.
3 Answers
If you’re looking for some serious power, you can get a small demolition hammer with a chisel bit for around $130! It's perfect for tasks like this and really makes the work easier.
If you're not worried about saving the blocks, a sledgehammer will definitely do the trick, but honestly, it can be a slow and tiring process. The concrete adhesive is pretty tough, so you'll likely want to focus on breaking the blocks instead of trying to separate them neatly. Here’s a good strategy:
- Make sure to wear eye protection, gloves, and ear protection — those concrete shards can go flying!
- Start with the top cap, hitting near the seams to crack it, and then work your way down layer by layer.
- If you have a small demolition hammer or a rotary hammer with a chisel bit, that’ll make the job way easier than just using a sledge.
And if you have access to an angle grinder with a diamond blade, scoring the adhesive joints first can really speed things up!
You could just grab the good ol' sledgehammer and get to it! But if you want to save some time and effort, think about renting a jackhammer or even a small skid loader to make the job quicker.
Totally agree! I got one for breaking up an inground pool, and it really worked wonders on those tough 10" reinforced concrete walls. It outperformed the rental I got for twice the price!