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I want to build a fence in my backyard by my garbage stand is sitting on a concrete slab and that slab is in the way of where I want to put the fence so I want to move it over a few feet.

The slab of concrete is 5' by 5'8'' by 6''. I popped those dimensions in an online concrete calculator and it says it weighs over 800kg.

I don't think it is a good idea to try to chain it to my car and drag it.

Would it be possible to move something that size with a lever of some sort? Or should I bite the bullet and just destroy the slab?

Niall C.
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Biff MaGriff
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    If you do try to move it, move the grass and dirt it would hit first, otherwise you'll be pulling against at least 3x the force, dirt doesn't like to compress. – Jason Aug 15 '13 at 19:26
  • Also, as @mike already mentioned, the bottom is probably very rough. Expect that moving the slab may make it unlevel – John Smith Aug 15 '13 at 19:38
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    Can you just have the fence go over it? I don't know what type of fence you're using but it may be possible to embed / attach the posts. – Hank Aug 16 '13 at 21:50
  • Break it up, use the pieces in a new pad, and add a bit more concrete to "cement" it together. – Andrew Lewis Aug 22 '13 at 17:59
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    Does this answer your question? [Rotating a concrete slab?](https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/183085/rotating-a-concrete-slab) – Mazura Feb 06 '21 at 20:20

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I don't agree with any of the comments. It is impractical to move it. First unless you use big equipment the chances of it breaking are solid. But lets look past moving it and say that is "easy". Where are you moving it to? The bottom is probably all over the place meaning that unless where you are moving it to has very similar ground characteristics then this thing will probably not sit the way you want it to.

Added Note: When we are breaking up big slabs like this we often break up concrete. Move the concrete out of the way. Dig down another 10-12 inches (I know it is hard work but doesn't take long). Then put concrete back or at least most of it with about 4-6 inches of dirt over it. You will be left with some dirt left over and maybe a little concrete. You will spend time digging but not time hauling concrete. Also the extra dirt is usually easy to dispose somewhere in the yard.

DMoore
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  • So you think if you can use a lever to lift it that you will be able to easily move it on "rollers" and then you will be able to just lay some sand down somewhere so it sits flat? If they just want the slab somewhere else I would think about it. For it to sit flat and be useable its not practical.` – DMoore Aug 16 '13 at 14:08
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    Why would "big equipment" make a difference? – Jason Aug 16 '13 at 19:16
  • @DMoore - I agree, rollers would be a bad idea. On the otherhand, sliding it on *rails* ... – mike Aug 16 '13 at 19:55
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    If you had the room and the ability to get a decent size forklift in then I would think about it. You still have a lot of logistics in digging out a side to get the prongs in sort of level. Still the biggest issue is getting it to sit the way you want it - and depending on how it was poured the bottom could be very uneven. – DMoore Aug 16 '13 at 19:59
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If the surface of the slab is flush with surrounding ground I'd consider building the fence across the slab.

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RedGrittyBrick
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There are more options than "move it" or "break it and remove it." Check with a local rental store to see what sort of concrete saws and/or drill bits are available. You could then saw off a portion of the slab, chip out a trough for clearance for fence rails or drill out a smaller area to allow a fencepost to be inserted. It would save a lot of labor but would cost a bit for rental.

mnbubbs
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I agree with Mike, you never know what you can do until you try. I had a 8'x12'x3" slab from an old shed that we needed to move or destroy to plant trees for a screen. The slab had two cracks that ran front to back which essentially divided it into 3 smaller 8'x4' slabs which I was able to move by myself by prying each piece up, sliding 2x4 scraps to hold the elevation, used 1" pvc irrigation pipe (because I had scrap left from replacing the old system) for rails and pulled with my truck and a tow strap. I'm not sure if I could have moved the whole thing in one shot, but in six hours I had the three slices moved and replaced in another spot about fifteen feet away.

Edward
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I agree with all said, but I'm more of a do or replace kind. Just wrap a tie rope around the edge an connect the other side of the rope/strap to the bumber of your car. Pull it where you want. If it doesn't sit right, sledge it and remove. It's fairly cheap to pour a new 25 sq.ft. slab. If it won't pull, sledge it. Otherwise, after you move it, hit the under side (edges of the slab) with water and see if it will settle (do arobics on the slab). Sounds like it's not a structural pad so not to worry too much if it takes time to settle.

Richard Raustad
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    Far, far less work and cheaper to use a bit of brain and a bit of brawn than the enormous amount of brawn involved in demo + transport + disposal added to the transport + mixing 800kg of cement to replace it. Regardless of the labor in R&R, the manufacture of cement carries a very large carbon footprint. -1 for the environment. – mike Aug 16 '13 at 02:56
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    Not sure what your bumpers are made out of but I'd say this is a bad idea for 99% of cars out there today. – DA01 Aug 16 '13 at 03:40
  • Do not put this on the bumper of your car. Put it on the towbar at least (or the hole where the towbar would be if you had one) – Mark Henderson Aug 16 '13 at 04:54
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    Even if your car has a hitch for towing it might not be rated for something of this size. IIRC my 06 LaCrosse is only rated for towing a half ton. Especially if you don't lever it up onto runners of some sort the friction from the rough bottom is likely to result in a force needed to get it moving well above that of a properly loaded trailer. – Dan Is Fiddling By Firelight Aug 16 '13 at 18:43
  • Attaching something this size, with an uneven bottom, to the bumper of your car is a GREAT way to leave the bumper of your car behind, sitting on the ground. –  Aug 16 '13 at 22:30
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Considering the enormous amount of brawn involved in demolition + transport + disposal and then the formwork + transport + mixing of 800kg of cement, moving the slab is far less work, far quicker, and far cheaper. Regardless of the labor and expense of demolition approach, the manufacture of cement carries a very large carbon footprint. R&R would be a -1 for the environment.

The underside is likely very rough. If you are willing to risk breaking the slab, it could be pried up, rails slipped underneath, then slid over. 3" pipe or some such could be used for rails. If you want to move it over N feet, the rails could be as short as 3+N. Pry up one side at a time, using something between the lever and slab to distribute the pressure. Lifting one side with a single 1:10 lever is: 0.5 * 800kg * 0.1 = 40kg = 90lbs ... that's completely doable by one person for anyone weighing more than 90lbs.

Alternatively, an off-center tripod could be built over the slab, and a come-along used to hoist the slab.

Alternatively, if it is to be moved it over N feet, then rails that are about N+1 feet long would suffice. This method combines the previous two. Pry up the slab and place the rails under the slab aligned with the far edge. Build an A-frame and stand it a foot away from the near edge. Run a strap around the slab at the near edge, attach a 30ft rope to the strap and route the rope over the A frame. Lean the A-frame towards the slab, then heave on the loose end of the rope while standing 20-25ft away. With enormous leverage, this will cause 1) the A-frame to become perpendicular, 2) lift the near edge of slab, and 3) pull the slab towards its new position by, say, 6", the far edge of the slab sliding along the 3" pipe rails. Reposition the A-frame and repeat.

Note: created this answer out of my several comments, added the 2nd alternative, then deleted the redundancies.

mike
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  • I like that you are offering a way to reuse something, but I would like even more to watch someone do this - especially someone without heavy duty tools made for this. – DMoore Aug 16 '13 at 15:53
  • For nearly every task, there is a group of people for which it would be impractical. – mike Aug 16 '13 at 20:12
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    For this one I would say at least 99% of the general population. I will break up the slab - 20 wheelbarrows full... Have my new slab laid out and start to pour before everyone gets done talking about the logistics... and then going back. My new slab will be dry while everyone is talking about how we level out this chunk of concrete we just moved. – DMoore Aug 16 '13 at 20:19
  • It would be repositioned and settled before you'd be back from your first of many runs to the dump. – mike Aug 16 '13 at 20:23
  • Actually the easiest way to deal with the concrete is dig down about 12 inches where the pad sat. Put the pieces back in and dump dirt on top. You will end up with a little extra dirt and your yard will be level. I will dig that hole while trying to help you get the logistics of flattening your slanted concrete. – DMoore Aug 16 '13 at 20:28
  • It would be relocated and settled before you'd be done back filling. But going with your idea, just dig the new location an extra 4-6" deep, line it with the debris, then pour over it. Of course, this is the old school attitude of passing off due diligence to future generations, as is simply burring it as you suggested. – mike Aug 16 '13 at 20:57
  • Huh? That is the greenest way to do it. Throwing it away would be a footprint. Please show the list of tools in your answer. If reusing concrete was an option I think you would be sitting on a goldmine. – DMoore Aug 17 '13 at 05:35
  • mini-landfill = green? I think not. Greenest, fastest and cheapest is to reuse it. tools? what ever stock, rails and rope you have laying around per answer. – mike Aug 17 '13 at 15:27
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    please show me pictures of whatever stock, rails, and rope you have laying around that would accomplish this job. I mean I asked that you provide pictures of anything on the internet you could find to do the job and you haven't... – DMoore Aug 17 '13 at 18:38
  • you really need internet pictures of a shovel? 4-bys? pipe? rope? – mike Aug 17 '13 at 19:40