How to Break Up a Cement Basement
- 1). Measure the cement floor, dividing the floor into 1-foot squares. Mark the 1-foot square using a chalk-measuring reel.
- 2). Cut the cement floor into 1-square-foot sections with a diamond-bladed circular saw. Cut the first square only 1-inch deep to check the depth of the floor. If the cement floor is deeper than 1 inch (a 4-inch thick cement basement floor is standard), continue to remove a 1-inch layer at a time until you reach dirt or foam heat buffer. Replace the buffer if need be and insert a foam heat buffer if there is none.
- 3). Remove the loose sections. This can be done by hand or with a crowbar.
- 4). Slam the middle of the remaining squares with a sledgehammer. This will break the remaining sections into smaller pieces. Be careful to hit the sections in the center as an off-center hit may cause unnecessary vibration throughout the under layer of flooring.
- 5). Sweep up the smaller pieces with a broom and dustpan.
- 6). Repeat the process of cutting and pounding until the entire set of squares is removed.
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