Can a Hammer Drill Break Up Concrete? Know Its Capabilities

Can a Hammer Drill Break Up Concrete

Concrete is perhaps the most well-known and hardest of building materials, at present for quite a long time with evidence going back to ancient Egypt.

Still, there may be instances in which you need to break concrete and remove it for a remodeling or demolition project.

A question this leaves many people asking is; can a hammer drill break concrete? Can you break up concrete with a hammer drill?

Yes, in short. Unfortunately, you can not achieve this by basting the tiles with a normal drill. To break through concrete in a reasonable time, you will require a heavy-duty rotary hammer or demolition hammer drill. 

What Is a Hammer Drill and How Does It Work?

A hammer drill (or hammering drill) is a rotary mechanism usually in the form of a serrated fluted round cylinder, that is used for drilling masonry. This makes it ideal for drilling through dense materials like stone, concrete, and masonry.

This hammering is driven by an internal piston moving up and down to hit the back of the drill bit a second slower hitting hundreds or thousands per minute. It will compress the concrete into bits breaking away a significant portion of it.

 The axial force is such that it slightly rotates when supersonic gas pushes a piston down an annular chamber, the rotating drill operation then cleans out debris and punches the bit in front.

Hammer drills can produce so much more concussive force and energy of impact than your regular power drill. This makes it possible for them to rip through concrete that would smoke even the most powerful drill.

Why Use a Hammer Drill to Break Concrete?

Trying to break up a concrete slab, footing, or wall with a standard drill, chisel and sledgehammer is extremely labor-intensive and time-consuming. Using the right demolition hammer drill can make the job much easier. Here are some of the benefits:

• Saves time and effort – The hammering action does most of the work for you, with minimal exertion required. You don’t have to swing a heavy sledgehammer hundreds of times.
• Better control and precision – You can target exactly where you want to break the concrete. This helps when trying to break out specific areas or create clean edges.
• Added safety – Less manual labor means less potential for hand, wrist, and shoulder injuries. The tool does the hard work for you.
• Ability to drill precision holes – In addition to breaking concrete, hammer drills can be used to drill holes through reinforced concrete and masonry.

What Size Hammer Drill Do You Need to Break Concrete?

When choosing a rotary hammer drill for concrete demolition, bigger is usually better. Heavier duty tools with higher impact energy deliver more concussive force to break up thick, high-strength concrete:

• DIY models – Light-duty hammer drills in the 5 to 10 Amp range may struggle with concrete over 2-4 inches thick. Better for small jobs.
• Mid-range models – 10 to 15 Amp rotary hammers can handle most medium-duty residential jobs, breaking up to 6-inch thick slabs.
• Heavy-duty models – 20 Amp+ SDS Max rotary hammers provide the most impact energy for large demolition projects and commercial use.

Always check the tool’s impact energy rating, usually given in foot pounds (ft-lbs) or joules. Higher numbers indicate more hammering force. Match the drill to the demands of the project.

Hammer Drill Features for Breaking Concrete

Here are some key features to look for when selecting a rotary hammer drill for concrete demolition:

• SDS or Spline Drive System – The SDS chuck provides superior grip and transfer of concussive force. Preferred for heavy demolition work.
• Variable speed trigger – Allows you to start slowly and increase power as needed. Helpful for maintaining control.
• Impact energy – As mentioned above, higher foot pounds or joules equate to more hammering force for busting concrete.
• Three modes – Rotary-only, hammer-only, and a combined hammer+drill mode offer versatility.
• Brushless motor – Provides longer runtime, better performance, and extended tool life.
• Dust management – Look for a dust extraction system to help control concrete debris and dust.

Using Hammer Drill Bits and Chisels to Break Concrete

In addition to the hammer drill itself, you need special bits and chisels engineered for high-impact demolition work:

• SDS Max chisels – The most heavy-duty option, removes large chunks of concrete with each strike. For thicker slabs.
• SDS Plus chisels – Smaller chisels for lighter demolition work in tighter spaces.
• Clay spade bits – Designed to fracture concrete and rebar. Create deep holes for anchoring bolts.
• Flat, bull-point, and spiked chisels – Give you different options for chipping, scraping, and fracturing.

Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when breaking concrete. The dust contains hazardous silica that can damage the lungs. Also, be aware of flying debris.

Breaking Down Your Approach

When tackling a concrete demolition project with a hammer drill, here are some tips:

• Take your time – Don’t rush the process. Let the tool do the work. Taking shortcuts can lead to accidents, injuries, and poor results.
• Start with an edge or opening – It’s difficult to simply start hammering into the center of a slab. Look for an existing crack, or edge, or try drilling an access hole first.
• Use an appropriate bit/chisel – Match the concrete thickness and rebar size to the right bit or chisel width. This optimizes results.
• Keep the bit at a 15-20 degree angle – Holding straight on can cause the bit to bounce and slip. Angling provides better purchase.
• ** Advance slowly** – Take small bites of concrete with each strike rather than trying to break out large sections at once. Small and steady wins the race.
• Let the tool rest occasionally – Continuous use can cause overheating. Take breaks to let it cool.

Alternative Options for Breaking Concrete

While hammer drills are preferred for most demolition jobs, here are a couple of other options:

• Jackhammers – Pneumatic jackhammers deliver very high-impact energy. Great for thick slabs but noisy and unwieldy.
• Concrete saws – Cut precise lines and openings into concrete. Combined with a hammer drill for removal.
• Heavy equipment – Excavators, hoe rams, and other machines can demolish large concrete structures. Overkill for small jobs.

Key Takeaways

• Hammer drills combine rapid pounding hammer action and drill rotation to break apart concrete.
• Their high-impact energy can bust through dense, thick concrete quickly.
• Rotary hammers are preferred over standard drills for concrete demolition.
• Large SDS Max models provide the most power and impact energy.
• Special bits, chisels, and safety gear are a must for concrete work.
• Take it slow and let the tool do the hard work for best results.

So in summary – yes, a good hammer drill is an efficient and effective tool for breaking up concrete slabs and surfaces.

Selecting the right demolition hammer drill and approach makes the challenging job much easier. Just be sure to take appropriate safety precautions against debris, dust, and potential hand injuries.