Demolition contractors are the go-to guys for removing concrete and asphalt. Removing these materials helps clear the way for new construction projects, like laying a new asphalt driveway. They ensure that new roads can be laid down, too. These contractors have specialized skills that help them complete the entire removal process. Keep reading to learn more!

Special Expertise

Removing concrete or asphalt begins long before demolition contractors set foot on the job. Every contractor ensures that they have a team of highly skilled individuals that are trained to complete various aspects of the job. From using a jackhammer to driving a backhoe, companies take the time to ensure they have the team, skills, and tools necessary to take on any task. They also get insurance and proper licensing.

Safety First

Throughout the entire process, demolition contractors will prioritize safety. Men on the job will wear proper safety gear, such as safety goggles, hard hats, and bright orange or yellow clothing, to ensure motorists see them. Safety protocol will be followed throughout the job, including ensuring all site employees are current on safety regulations. For example, an injured employee will not be permitted to work because this can be a safety hazard.

Breaking Up Materials

Concrete and asphalt must be broken up into smaller chunks before properly removing them. This involves the use of special equipment, including bulldozers and jackhammers. The team might use sledgehammers to knock the wall down for smaller pieces of concrete, such as old concrete walls. This helps break concrete or asphalt into manageable chunks that can easily be removed.

Breaking Up Small Slabs

Smaller jobs call for different equipment to be used. This often depends on how much concrete or asphalt is broken up and how thick it is. Thin slabs can easily be broken with a sledgehammer and a pry bar. Thicker slaps may call for a jackhammer. Some companies use various chemicals to make the concrete softer, which makes it easier to break up and remove. Demolition contractors may use other methods like wire cutting and dry ice blasting.

Removal

After the materials are broken up, the crew must remove them from the site. Large commercial projects often call for backhoes to move the large pieces into piles and other equipment, such as bulldozers, to scoop them into a dumpster. A minor job can typically be cleaned up by hand. In this situation, the crew usually throws all the debris into a dumpster. Dump trucks are also standard.

Recycling Materials

It's prevalent for demolition contractors to be environmentally friendly. According to the EPA, demolition is more than 90% of all construction and demolition (C&D) debris generation. Construction represents less than 10%. Because of this, many contractors try to recycle materials to avoid filling up landfills. In this situation, contractors will adequately dispose of the materials with another company that can recycle them, lessening the demand for brand-new materials and helping our planet.

Waste Disposal

Sometimes, there are other options than dropping off the materials at a nearby recycling facility. In this scenario, contractors often take them to a location that will manage the waste for them and dump them there. Even though this debris may wind up in a landfill, companies follow specific regulations. Typically, there are typical C&D landfills that must be used for these materials. Contractors may take the concrete and asphalt to the landfill or hire someone else.

Site Preparation

After removing the old concrete or asphalt, a professional company will often prepare the site for the next construction phase. When laying concrete or asphalt, the land must be level. A contractor will take the time to level the land using a steam roller. They may fill certain areas with dirt or remove a bit of land to make the ground completely level. Companies will double-check with homeowners regarding the finished project to ensure they complete all the necessary preparations.

Removing concrete and asphalt involves breaking it up, removing it, and disposing it properly. Then, most companies will take the time to prepare the site so they can finish the project. The tools a contractor uses often depend on the size of the job. However, you can trust that skilled demolition contractors have the knowledge and team to do the job correctly. Give us a call today at Cirone Construction today!