Professional Birmingham, AL on Oct 30, 2012

Demolishing Concrete with a Soft Touch

Who doesn't love a new way to break stuff?

Instead of ripping through concrete or stone with a jackhammer–or even explosives–Ecobust is an "expansive demolition agent" that breaks up rock and concrete neatly and silently. The product is basically cement that swells as it cures. Here's how it works: (1) Drill into the concrete or rock. (2) Mix the powdered Ecobust agent with water. (3) Pour the mixture into the holes. As the agent cures it expands inside the hole, breaking apart the concrete or rock from the inside.

The expanding agent breaks apart the concrete using a quiet and controlled method, without a bunch of racket or flying shards of rock-perfect for DIY removal of unwanted slabs, deteriorating porch steps, old footings and more.Learn more about this project at http://blog.extremehowto.com/2012/10/05/new-... .

17 Comments

Vicki Smyrna, GA

thnaks for sharing tip. good to know.

on Oct 30, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

Matthew Weber will this work on tree stumps??

on Oct 30, 2012 · Like 1
Building Moxie Baltimore, MD

this is great Matt. I have never heard or used. thanks for sharing. Becky H I have had good luck with many of the over the counter products Stump-Out, Stump-Away Stump-Be-Gone (I think I am making that last one up). For something a little more aggressive perhaps Boric Acid.

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

Building Moxie Stump out can only be used on older, dried out stumps. Surprisingly, it suggests once it has done the job, to set the stump on fire. I have a stump that is 1/2 dead and dried while the other half is alive and sending up new shoots. What does boric acid do to the stump?

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 1
Becky H Tampa, FL

Matthew Weber Any ideas why this expands outwards rather than just pushing back up through the hole drilled to apply it?

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 0
Building Moxie Baltimore, MD

same thing as Stump Out just more aggressively. On a smaller sized stump, breaks down to the point where it can be chopped out easily. I think my preferred method would have to be stump grinding, esp. depending on what you'd like to do in the location of the stump. Usually worth the cost through a pro. Luck.

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

This sounds neat if you can easily drill big holes into the material. I tried to drill out some holes to remove a failing concrete step on a stoop...even with a big heavy duty hammer drill I was going through masonry bits...after a few hours of hard drilling we picked up a jack hammer...10 minutes later it was gone.
Sometimes the big guns are needed and can make real quick work of a project. ...»

Sure you could dig a foundation hole with a garden shovel ...but a 60 HP backhoe can knock it out in no time.

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 0
Vintage Headboards Frisco, TX

Very cool

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 0
Matthew Weber Birmingham, AL

This does require a rotary hammer like a Bosch Bulldog to run a masonry bit for the holes, but that's much easier than running a jackhammer. Plus I already own the Bosch and didn't have to rent a jackhammer. Instructions suggest 1.5" diameter holes, but my biggest bit was 1" (and I augered out the holes a little as I drilled). It worked...... Aside from the drilling, the actual chemical reaction is quiet, so it doesn't disturb your neighbors if that's an issue. Plus, it keeps the broken ...»
concrete in manageable chunks rather than rendering it into a billion shards and a pile a dust, which is no joy to dispose of................................Becky H: The product does squirt out the holes somewhat as it expands, and I was concerned about that, but it seems to expand in every direction as it cures, so there's enough lateral pressure to cause the cracking.

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 1
David McNamara

Reply to Becky H: Why doesn't it squirt out the top? Ecobust will cure hard just like concrete in the first 2 hours before it starts to expand creating it's own plug. As it expands 4x it's original size it turns back into a powder.

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 1
David McNamara

Reply to Becky H: Tree stumps? This is not a good application for Ecobust. Wood is too elastic and will compress more easily than rock or concrete. It could work but not in a way that would provide consistent results. I prefer Matt's suggestion of the stump grinder.

on Oct 31, 2012 · Like 1
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Some folks will drill holes into stumps...which will then collect rain water and speed the rotting process. An flat smooth stump will tend to last much longer than a drilled one.

on Nov 01, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

Matthew Weber and David McNamara I would prefer a stump grinder too, and typically have had all stumps ground out, BUT this trunk is on top of 4 irrigation lines (running below). Stump grinders aren't very particular about what they'll grind. So, this one will have to be reduced/removed in some other fashion rather than by grinder.

on Nov 01, 2012 · Like 0
Lynne G Sebastian, FL

what is the best way to get tile up

on Nov 04, 2012 · Like 0
Evelyn Fletcher

Way Cool I love DIY's

on Nov 04, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Lynne G It is best to start a new topic when posting a question. As they are less likely to get missed.
What are you planing to tile?
Since you said UP rather than down...I'll assume this is a wall application. And since 95% of wall applications are showers / tub enclosures. I'll add this bit of experience. ...»

When I do showers I always strip them down to bare studs first. this allows for a proper inspection to any possible water damage. This is also needed if you are swapping out a tub. Once the tub of shower pan is installed I install Hardibacker in 1/2" thickness. Then the corners get fiberglass tape and mud a then I set the tile.
if you have more questions you can ask away.

on Nov 05, 2012 · Like 0
Lynne G Sebastian, FL

thank you, kms

on Nov 06, 2012 · Like 0

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Demolishing Concrete with a Soft Touch

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