Hi folks,

One of the areas I'm going to be putting in hardwood is our entry hall and it currently it has a black slate floor. Any tips or ideas on how to efficiently and effectively rip out the slate?

An electric demolition hammer, with a spade bit. Leather gloves, eye protection, and ear plugs. Wheel borrow & a flat shavel.

Act like a kid, and have some fun. It isn't often you get to bust something up. Take out your frustrations in life!!! It is a releaving feeling.

Just curious,

What under that slate floor, Macallan? What's holding it up?

Dave T

Now isn't that an excellent question Dave!

The house has a T&G wood subfloor, but what's between the subfloor and the slate is a mystery at this point. The slate is from the original construction circa 1964.

If your house is a raised wood subfloor, more than likely, that slate is set in "mud". A term for a dry (slightly damp) mixture of sand and cement and secured with chicken wire, that is packed down to the subfloor. Typically in these areas, the subfloor was dropped (recessed) to accomodate the thickness of the "mud". Once you get past the slate, the mud base is fairly crumbly but the wire holding it together is a pain. You'll need to cut it with snips and break out the mortar base in chunks. After cleaning up, if the subfloor has been recessed, you will need to build a new subfloor over the old one to even things up.

Oh joy...

It's not as bad as it sounds in comparison to other demo projects. And I am sure it isn't a huge area, being an entry. What works is to get a large demo bar in along side and down and start breaking it up. The chicken wire is the biggest pain because it holds the whole mess together. If it wasn't for that, it would be a relatively easy demo. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Macallan

If you have access to a mechanics air chisel (the kind they use to cut out exhaust systems, old fenders etc) and the means to power it... parhaps consider it as part of your arsenal of WMDs. This is kinda like Floorguy's electric demolition hammer but cheap, light and effective.

Dave T

Not a bad idea Dave. I've got a couple of air compressors so all I'd need to do is pick up the Air Chisel, I checked online and they can be had pretty cheap.

PS: Macallan

An air chisel is inexpensive enough to afford a better model....
you will discover many other uses beside automotive work.... score and cut block, brick, cement, etc. Although the attachments supplied with mine have been sufficient, I've considered welding a wider blade to one.

Shop for one that allows you to easily regulate air pressure and...
remember to wear safety glasses. Best of luck to you.

Dave T

No worries Dave, the deal I have with the better half is that if I'm going to do these projects the price is that I'm going to invest in the right tools. The only time I'll rent or go "cheap" is if the tool itself is so expensive versus the number of times I might use it in the future or the use is so specific I won't care if it breaks after it has served its purpose.