demolition

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

Hi. I'm pretty new to DIY but I have a big project and a short time frame. I have a house to take down in a maximum of two weeks. It's a bungalow with attic, just over 70 metres sq. Walls are Ytong and the roof is tiled. I need to do the job by myself and can not afford heavy equipment, but I have two weeks free of other commitments which I can devote solely to the job.

So, what I want to know is how best to go about it. What would be the best way to start, how should I proceed and how far will I be able to get in two weeks?

Look upon it as a challenge for the forum's collective wisdom. I'm counting on you guys - this is really important.

Thanks in advance.

JohnD · 6 Jan 2007

What's Ytong?

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

JohnD said:
What's Ytong?

They're grey blocks of some kind of concrete. I'll find a link...

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

here you go

http://www.ytong.co.nz/

JohnD · 6 Jan 2007

cor, ta.

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

They're quite cheap and solid. Which is not too great as I want to knock 'em down as quick as possible...

JohnD · 6 Jan 2007

looks like you can whiz through them with a saw. Maybe a chainsaw or alligator?

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

Great - that's a start. But I have to get the whole damn house down and I'm not sure how best to go about it - I don't want the roof coming down on me because I take out the wrong wall! I'll get in a few acro jacks, of course, but I was wondering if it will be best to start by taking the roof off and then getting to work on the walls, or taking the walls down and letting the roof come down as a result.

JohnD · 6 Jan 2007

If you take the roof off, you will probably be able to push the walls out (the roof holds them together)

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

sounds good. how long do you think it will take to get the roof off? i need to break it down into as fine a rubble as possible as well - the goal is to reduce it to a state where it can't be put back up.

doit · 6 Jan 2007

mrbadger said:
sounds good. how long do you think it will take to get the roof off? i need to break it down into as fine a rubble as possible as well - the goal is to reduce it to a state where it can't be put back up.

Why does it have to be done in two weeks? Is that when the person who lives there comes back from holiday?

Nige F · 6 Jan 2007

y-tong,y-tong,y-tong,y-tong,y-tong...tiddle eye po

you`re avin a laff chap

.........who are you , Rackmann

.........or is it Toad Hall, Mr. Badger

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

Nige F said:
y-tong,y-tong,y-tong,y-tong,y-tong...tiddle eye po you`re avin a laff chap .........who are you , Rackmann .........or is it Toad Hall, Mr. Badger

no, mate. i live in poland and they're used all the time over here. don't quite know what you're on about, tbh.

mrbadger · 6 Jan 2007

doit said:
mrbadger said:

sounds good. how long do you think it will take to get the roof off? i need to break it down into as fine a rubble as possible as well - the goal is to reduce it to a state where it can't be put back up.

Click to expand...

Why does it have to be done in two weeks? Is that when the person who lives there comes back from holiday?

no! the house is mine - in my name and built by me. it's take it down or lose it, though, so i want to take it down.

JohnD · 6 Jan 2007

Ex-wife wants it.

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demolition

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