Removing the Patio Slab

• 1). Place a shovel into the ground at one corner of the patio slab and dig down as close to it as possible. Continue digging down at least 6 to 10 inches until you locate the bottom of the slab. Dig out as much of the sand underneath the slab corner as you can reach easily.
  
  
• 2). Insert a crowbar or a long pole under the corner of the slab and have another person push down on the other end with as much force as possible. When the slab corner rises into the air, push a rock under it to keep it elevated. The slab will rise by just 2 to 3 inches, so a small rock is all you need.
  
  
• 3). Put on heavy work gloves and safety glasses. Pick up an 8-lb. or heavier sledgehammer and hit the center of the patio slab with as much force as possible. It may take multiple attempts, but the slab will crack due to the pressure point of the rock. If needed, move 1 or 2 feet toward the corner if you have difficulty breaking the slab.
  
  
• 4). Insert the crowbar into the cracks that form in the slab and press down on the bar to lift the smaller chunks out. Continue until there are no more cracks to pry up in the concrete.
  
  
• 5). Walk to the new edge of the slab and dig down under it enough to place another rock. Hit the slab again with the sledge hammer to create more cracks.
  
  
• 6). Continue this process until all of the slab is broken up into manageable pieces.
  
  

Disposing of the Slab Debris

• 1). Call a debris disposal company and arrange to have a dumpster delivered to your home. You must pay a fee for this, which varies by company.
  
  
• 2). Pick up the broken pieces of the patio and place them into a wheelbarrow for ease of transport. Test the weight of the wheelbarrow periodically as you load it, and do not overload it.
  
  
• 3). Toss the slab pieces into the dumpster, getting the help of another person for the larger pieces.
  
  
• 4). Call the debris removal company and arrange to have the dumpster removed.