What Is A Jackhammer Used For?

What is a jackhammer used for?

Jackhammers are popular home DIY devices that cut or break up hard or solid materials.

They’re one of the most common types of mechanical drills and impact drills.

The word “jackhammer” is used for many different types of devices, so read through to learn about their potential uses and what they do.

Jackhammers (or breakers or demolition hammers) are versatile tools that can be used for many different purposes.

Some examples include: removing concrete, asphalt, soil, and other difficult-to-reach materials; breaking up rocks; channelling: creating holes in decks; and more.

However, it is important to understand how a jackhammer works and what it can be used for before purchasing one for a DIY project.

Of course, it’s also important to understand how to use and operate a jackhammer safely. As with most tools and machinery, a jackhammer can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

This article will explain everything you need to know about these machines including their common uses, pros and cons, parts list, cost information, installation tips, maintenance tips and more!

Table of Contents

Types of Jackhammers

There are many types of jackhammers, but the most common jackhammer for home use is a jackhammer that you can simply plug into an electrical socket.

These jackhammers are versatile and weigh a lot less than the ones on construction sites, and are ideal for a multitude of different projects.

These models have a trigger that you squeeze that operates the electric motor, which then causes the hammer or chisels to move up and down against the material you are trying to break.

What is a Jackhammer Used For?

Jackhammers are used for many different purposes, including but not limited to:

Removing concrete.
Removing paving blocks.
Removing asphalt or tarmac.
Removing soil.
Removing tiles.
Breaking up lumps of concrete or rocks

We often refer to a jackhammer in the UK as a breaker, and the clue really is in the name.

It’s a tool designed for destruction rather than construction, making it easier to break into large solid objects that we can then break up into smaller pieces in order for us to remove it.

The best way to decide if a jackhammer is the right tool for you is to understand what it can be used for and what it can’t be used for.

It’s important to remember that there are many different types of jackhammers that perform different functions, so it’s important to understand what you’re looking for before purchasing a jackhammer.

Below, we’ll go over some of the most common uses for jackhammers in more detail, along with the materials that they’re commonly used for.

Removing Concrete – Concrete is one of the most common materials that a jackhammer is used for. Concrete is a composite material made up of cement, sand, and gravel. It can also be made up of other types of materials like rubber or plastic. Concrete is strong and durable, but it can be difficult to access because it’s usually set into the ground and covered by other materials such as asphalt. If it needs to be removed for any reason, concrete is usually the best option.
Breaking Up Rocks – Breaking up rocks can be done with a jackhammer, but it’s usually done with a pneumatic rock breaker or other types of machinery. However, a jackhammer can be used to split rocks into smaller pieces that are easier to handle. This can be helpful for transporting them or for construction projects where the rock may be too heavy to move.
Breaking up floor tiles. Floor tiles are notoriously difficult to remove, owing mainly to the fact that the tiles were put in as a permanent solution, designed to stay in place. Some tiles can be extremely large, but a jackhammer or breaker will easily break the tiles down to smaller pieces as well as remove the grout underneth.
Breaking up lumps of concrete or rocks. If you are trying to clear an area of your garden, but it has old falgstones, concrete foundations or rocks, then you’re going to be there a long time with a hammer and a chisel. A jackhammer or breker will make light work of breaking these things up into smaller, manageable chunks.

Popular Home Uses – Jackhammers

I’ve done several personal home DIY projects where a jackhammer has been an absolute gamechanger.

The first project was removing the concrete foundation for an old shed I’d knocked down.

Not willing to shell out on a jackhammer, I attempted to remove the base with a lump hammer and a large chisel.

After 30 minutes, a blunt chisel and a lot of swearing, I decided to find a better tool to use. I went to Smyths Hire, and asked them for the best tool to hire for a couple of days to break up the concrete.

They said a jackhammer. To which I replied, what is a jackhammer used for, because I believed it to be a large tool that was only seen on large construction sites. However, they reassured me that a smaller type of jackhammer would be perfect for home use, so I hired one.

However, I then found out i could buy my own jackhammer relatively cheap, so decided to invest in one which would come in handy for future DIY projects.

I’ve also used my jackhammer for the following projects:

To remove flooring tiles from my kitchen and bathroom
To break down and remove large flagstones from my garden
To remove crazy paving.
To remove mortar and foundation from an old wall.
To remove soil and earth in order to build some decking.
To knock down a wall.

In short then, I’ve used my jackhammer on multiple occassions throughout the years, even though I didn’t think I needed to own one.

I rented a jackhammer twice, which would have been enough to buy myself a jackhammer outright.

Summary

A jackhammer is a useful DIY tool used for breaking up concrete, digging holes in hard surfaces, and creating small holes in the ground.

Smaller jackhammers are very popular for home projects, including garden projects.

There are many types of jackhammers and they vary greatly in terms of their power, design, and price.

Some jackhammers include a hammer, pole, and battery while others have a hand crank or no battery at all.

It’s important to choose the right jackhammer for the job and to understand its potential uses.

Questions & Comments

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