Demoing an old shed or other structure and its foundation in your backyard may seem like a good way to relieve stress, but it can also be a great deal of work. It is important to have the right tools to help you with the job and for removal and disposal of the waste. Here are some tips to help you complete this project to demo, dispose of, and recycle any appropriate waste.

Demolition

To demolish a structure's walls and roof, you can use a few different tools to help you. Renting a Bobcat or skid steer with a bucket loader can help you pull down walls and structural materials without using your own manual labor. If you don't have access to this type of loader, you can use a sledgehammer to break apart the materials. Keep in mind if you don't have access to borrow a Bobcat or skid steer, most equipment rental businesses have these available for daily rental.

Breaking apart the foundation of your shed of other structure can be the most time consuming, as concrete foundations can be several inches thick. It is helpful to cut the concrete pad into smaller sections with the use of a circular saw with a masonry blade. Cutting the concrete into sections makes breaking it apart an easier process, as the concrete will already be partially broken apart.

You can use a sledgehammer or a jackhammer to break apart the concrete, depending on your experience and ability. A sledgehammer can weigh approximately 12 pounds and a jackhammer can weigh up to 90 pounds, so be prepared to be able to maneuver these during the demo. Use a sawzall or bolt cutters to cut any lengths of rebar within the concrete during demolition.

Your shed's foundation may be made of old asphalt, which is a bit easier to demolition, as it becomes brittle with age. You may be able to use a sledgehammer and a pry bar to break up and lift the asphalt from the soil.

Removal and Recycle

Rent a roll off dumpster from a local waste management or recycling company. These can be set right on your backyard work site so you can easily fill them with waste rubble. Be sure to check with any restrictions in placing items in the dumpsters and any fees associated with disposing of heavier waste materials. Use a rented Bobcat or skid steer to scoop up and move rubble into your disposal bin. Concrete rubble can weigh 145 pounds per cubic foot, so keeping it out of the landfill can save on your budget and on the environment.

Before you dispose of all the demolition rubble and send it to the landfill, check to make sure if any of it can be recycled. Concrete and asphalt are two paving materials that can also be recycled and processed for reuse

Concrete can be broken down to be often used as a sub-base for roads and parking lots and in the construction of building foundations. Concrete can also be broken up into gravel-sized pieces to be used in the mixing up of new concrete mixture with virgin cement and other aggregates. Asphalt can be crushed up and recycled into an aggregate and mixed to create new hot mix asphalt.

It is recommended to first check with your solid waste management district to find any local concrete and asphalt recycling companies. If you are working with a contractor, they are likely to have access to a concrete or asphalt recycling company they can refer you to that can take and recycle your waste and keep it from the landfills. Many recyclers can pick up your concrete waste from your home for you or provide you with a recycling bin to place the concrete into.

Use these tips when completing your backyard shed demolition project. For more information, contact companies like East Central Sanitation & Recycling.