How-to · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
How to break up a concrete shed base or patio safely: a DIY guide
Before you start
Check what is under and around the slab. Shed bases sometimes have electric cables running to them, and water pipes or drains can run close by. If there is a chance of buried cables, stop and get them located. Also check whether the slab is reinforced with steel mesh, which makes breaking slower and leaves metal to separate.
Work out how much concrete there is. Multiply length by width by thickness to get cubic metres, then multiply by about 2.4 to get tonnes.
| Slab size | Thickness | Approximate weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2 m x 2 m | 100 mm | About 1 tonne |
| 3 m x 2.5 m | 100 mm | About 1.8 tonnes |
| 3 m x 3 m | 150 mm | About 3.2 tonnes |
| 4 m x 3 m | 100 mm | About 2.9 tonnes |
Tools and protection
- Electric breaker, typically hired by the day
- Sledgehammer and pry bar for lifting broken pieces
- Long-handled shovel and a strong wheelbarrow
- Bolt croppers if there is mesh reinforcement
- Eye protection, ear defenders, gloves and safety boots
- FFP3 dust mask or better
- Hose or sprayer to damp down dust
A breaker is heavy and vibrates a lot. Take regular breaks, keep a firm stance and let the tool do the work rather than forcing it. Hire shops will advise on the right size for the slab.
Step by step
- Clear the slab and the area around it
- Lightly damp the surface to control dust
- Start at a corner or edge, where the concrete has space to crack away
- Break off pieces about the size of a paving slab or smaller
- Lever pieces up with a bar and move them aside as you go
- Cut any mesh with bolt croppers and keep the metal separate
- Dig out any hardcore underneath if you need the ground level lowered
- Stack broken concrete neatly or bag it, without overfilling
Working from the edge inwards is far quicker than starting in the middle. Each piece you remove gives the next one somewhere to break into.
Common problems
- Steel mesh slowing the breaker: cut it as you expose it rather than pulling it
- Slab thicker than expected: work in narrower strips from the edge
- Concrete bonded to a wall: cut a line with a saw first to avoid damaging the wall
- Buried pipe or cable found: stop and get it checked
- Breaker bouncing on hard concrete: angle the point and work closer to the edge
If the slab sits against the house, take extra care near the damp-proof course and any airbricks, and do not dig below the level of the house foundations. If the base is very thick, heavily reinforced or close to drains, it may be quicker and safer to have it broken out professionally.
Silica dust
Concrete contains silica. Breaking it creates fine dust that can cause serious lung disease with repeated exposure, and the Health and Safety Executive treats it as a major health risk in construction. Water suppression and a properly fitted FFP3 mask make a big difference. Keep children and pets away and avoid dry sweeping the dust afterwards.
If the base is under a shed or next to a fence
Remove the shed and anything stored underneath before you start, and check the slab edge for any fixings, cables or downpipes. Where the base runs right up to a fence or wall, break the last strip carefully by hand or with a lighter tool to avoid damaging the boundary. If the fence belongs to a neighbour, let them know beforehand, as vibration and flying chips can damage panels and posts.
Getting rid of the concrete
Broken concrete is clean inert waste, as long as it is not mixed with soil, timber or general rubbish, which keeps disposal costs down. Bulk bags can hold around a tonne, but filled with broken concrete they reach that limit before they are full. If you have a drive, a stacked pile can often be loaded by a grab lorry. If the slab is at the back of the garden, a wait-and-load collection carries it out for you.
Some of the hardcore underneath, and well broken concrete, may be reusable as sub-base for a new path or patio, which saves on both disposal and buying in aggregate.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to break up a shed base?
A typical 100 mm unreinforced base of around 3 m by 2.5 m takes one person with an electric breaker roughly half a day to a day, including lifting and stacking the pieces. Thicker slabs, steel mesh, hard ground underneath and a long barrow route all add time. Two people working together, one breaking and one clearing, is noticeably faster.
Can I break concrete with just a sledgehammer?
A thin slab of 50 mm or less, or one that is already cracked, can be broken with a sledgehammer. A solid 100 mm base is very hard work by hand and puts a lot of strain on your back and arms. Hiring an electric breaker for a day is usually worth the cost for anything thicker or larger than a few square metres.
Does broken concrete need to be separated from soil?
Ideally, yes. Clean broken concrete is easy to recycle into aggregate, and a load of it is often cheaper to remove than mixed waste. A small amount of soil stuck to the pieces is normal, but large amounts of soil, roots, timber or plastic mixed in can change how the load is classified and priced.
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