Block Wall

[MADRanch]

I have 1/2 dozen 4' cube block 'goat houses' I would like to take down. I would like to salvage the cement block, any idea on how to cut apart the mortar holding the block together?

 

[brandoro]

If they are done with standard mortar once you get the first couple out the rest should come off pretty easy with a few gentle taps of a hammer on a block of wood. Tap each block at the corner where the web is, less chance of breakage. You should expect to break the odd one. The mortar is quite strong under compression but not so much otherwise.
If the voids have been poured with concrete then you won't be able to save the blocks.

 

[ben2go]

I used a steel chisel and a shop hammer.I just tapped it down the mortar line and then gave a good tap on top.Most split down the mortar.

 

[SPIKER]

Air or Electric hammer with chisel bit works well too..
Mark

 

[mroldstyle]

Just cleaned up about 200 blocks with an air chisel, took about 3 hours and a six pack.

 

[cycle_gator]

So, how long would it have taken without the six pack?

 

[zeuspaul]

An angle grinder with a tuck point blade
Tuck Point Blades

Zeuspaul

 

[JB4310]

Blocks can be difficult to clean especially if it was a good mortar mix and was protected from the elements with a decent roof.

Probably 4 or 6 inch block? If you could at least get them apart with out destroying them which also might be tough with such a small structure, as it's all corners. If you don't need them right away you could leave them out in the elements for a couple of years then the mortar would come off easier with just a masons hammer.

If you had to cut and grind them all with diamond tools then you'd be better off just buying new at a couple bucks each, IMO.

 

[MADRanch]

Thanks guys, I'm going to tare into one of them this weekend with a hammer and chisel and see what happens.

 

[MarkV]

Thanks guys, I'm going to tare into one of them this weekend with a hammer and chisel and see what happens.

Wear some safety glasses. That mortar can get to flying at times.

MarkV