Taking DIY to the extreme. Please check with your doctor before attempting this at home. And wear proper shoes, for goodness sake.
You’re going to think I’ve gone whacko when I tell you how I just finished removing tons of asphalt from my driveway. By myself. With my bare hands.
Reducing the width of the parking area in my driveway was a slow-but-steady project, but the end is in sight. Grassy lawn is in my future. A better driveway, too. Improved curb appeal. Hallelujah.
As I’ve shown before, the driveway needs some work. The house looked especially sad last April without the porch railings or new storm door. (Mr. Silver Carport in the neighbor’s driveway doesn’t help either.) The driveway runs alongside the house but also offers extra parking in the front yard. There’s space for three extra cars. I have more asphalt than grass or garden.
No problem, I guess. One of my big goals of the summer was to have the driveway fully replaced. A wrench hit those plans when a team of city surveyors casually mentioned that the road, sidewalks, and driveway aprons were going to be replaced, disturbing any new work I contracted. I changed my plans, not wanting to invest in asphalt that would be damaged so soon.
What I could do in the interim though, is reduce the size of the driveway overall. This is exactly what I did, and exactly why every muscle is so freaking sore.
I found that the most efficient approach was to pry up the asphalt layer piece by piece (I like to compare it to ripping apart a cookie cake). The asphalt closest to the house was crumbling and thin and came up easily, which naturally led me to believe that the whole shebang would be done within a few days of light lifting. Foreshadowing.
In one short morning, I had removed a substantial chunk of driveway (and max-ed out the weight limit of the city-provided garbage can, meaning, I couldn’t move it myself anymore).
I decided not to let capacity issues hold me up, figuring that I could keep loosening the asphalt, bagging it in smaller quantities, and testing out the strength of the city garbage men to see what they’d accept. The worst they could do is deny it, or maybe break the bags into a million pieces and leave me with a bigger mess.
Good news? They took every bag!
Actually, one of those big ol’ machines that the city uses to pick up curbed couches took every bag.
Best described as an arcade game claw that repels from the top of a dump truck, the asphalt-filled bags were removed in a swift 2-minute jobber. It was as if the driver spent his entire childhood dropping quarters hoping to win a stuffed animal at the fair. (Best job ever? Or best job ever.)
Fun facts: The Gap won the “Strong Bag” contest. Home Depot and Lowe’s were tied for second place. Best Practices? Paper bag, with two plastic bags on the outside. Radically strong and very easy to carry.
After the top layer was removed, there was a base of 3-6″ of coarse rock left to remove. The rocks were by far the worst part of the clean-up process last time, so this time I left it up to friends on Facebook and randoms on Craigslist to fight it out. After all, the underlay was valuable, salvageable, and something that pretty much anyone could have used for their own patio base, garden filler, drainage project, or whatnot. It was free… to those who were willing to dig it out.
I was surprised by the response, and happily welcomed a reader of the blog and her family to take the rock for her own garden (thanks, Rebecca + fam!).
I gave a little foreshadowing earlier on about the ease of asphalt retrieval; the upper part of the driveway crumbled in my hand with minimal effort, as did the apron between the sidewalk and the road, but there was an angry little section about 70 sq. ft. in size that did. not. want. to. be. removed.
This was the only section that had also been doubly paved, interestingly. It had no cracks, no weeds poking through, and was a solid, thick mass that chipped away at my energy level for 3 days. Three exhausting days.
The final technique I tried seemed to work most efficiently. Am I an asphalt removal strategist? Does that go on LinkedIn? Let’s call it Shovel Butt Lever. Because I’m much too tired from hammering asphalt to think of a better name.
Use the shovel as a lever between the asphalt and the earth. Apply full body weight (sitting on the shovel handle) to lift the block an inch, so when you sledge it, it had some chance of giving way. That pile of asphalt to either side of me? Shovel-butted.
Don’t wimp out, keep on going. Oh, distracted by my rubber wellies? No idea why I slipped them on. Please wear steel-toed shoes for this.
Seriously, what happened to your protective eyewear? Oh, I probably launched it into the grass in muscular fury. Check out the pieces of asphalt in that RIDGID box. They are the size of my torso.
Try not to get too wussy-ish about injuries, even when you get a dime-sized blister on the most crucial spot of your sledging hand. Put an ACE bandage on the thing, then choose a bigger glove. Perfecto, even if I look like I have a growth.
Can you say D-O-N-E? I tried to take a picture of me standing at the end of the cleared driveway smiling, but forgot that I had the camera zoomed in. My face did not end up in the frame so much as other body parts, so you won’t be seeing those photos today.
The neighbor kindly gave me 4 large cardboard boxes that were on their way out to recycling. Perfect little asphalt holders. The generosity saved me an hour’s worth of bagging, that’s for sure.
Relieved? Relieved. Better driveway. Lots of sleep in the future. And lots of soil to distribute, once I place the order.
How does it look?
57 Comments
It looks great! I bet that felt amazing to get done! Gotta love it when you muscle through something like that.
We were ecstatic (and exhausted) to get the weird concrete in the back sledgehammered out (although we still have some tile chipping and probably concrete saw renting to go).
I can only imagine what I beast the concrete was. Thick, right?
Definitely a beast. Certain areas were about 4-6 inches but crumbled easily (not aerated right maybe?), and the worst spot was about 12-15 inches thick and 3-4 feet long and very solid. Fingers crossed that getting that out was the hardest part.
Crazy. My thickest parts were only 5-6″; you win, no contest.
I think we both win, because we reached our goals without renting a jackhammer or something! Everyone will be jealous of our biceps.
Now if only R & I can figure out how to finish off the edge of the concrete for the patio to butt against without renting a saw.
Good luck, yikes!
For a while we were hoping that drilling holes into the concrete (sort of like perforations) and then hammering along might work. But then we thought maybe the 40ish bucks for a saw was worth it. We’ll see. Still glad we didn’t rent a jackhmmer, though!
Are they a costly rental?
For the saw the base price to rent isn’t that bad, but the blades can add up. I think the jackhammer would have been somewhat expensive in our case because of the number of hours we’d have needed it, since we were working on the concrete a few hours a night for a while.
AH, yes the add on costs. I experienced that same thing a few years ago when I refinished the floors myself; the sandpaper cost more than the rental overall. If it’s any concession if you end up needing to rent… it’s still way cheaper than paying someone to do it for you. #DIYitupgirl
So true! After we finish up a few more things in the art room we’ll probably shift our focus back to the patio (especially since the weather should be cooler by then). After the possible rental we should only need a couple hundred dollars in supplies (hopefully not famous last words).
Looking forward to seeing your finished art room!
Thanks! There is still a lot of organizing that needs to happen, but it’s getting there!
I’m looking forward to seeing your office, too!
When we were at your house getting the stones, we debated how you were removing the asphalt. We all agreed that you must have rented a jack hammer. I guess we were wrong!
Rebecca
Haha, before I started I assumed that a rental of some kind would have been necessary. The only thing I would suggest having, if you ever try it, is a larger sledgehammer. Not a baby-sized sledge.
I’m so impressed. Way to go! And yes, it looks better already. Congrats!
Thanks Kirsti!
Girl, you are crazy! I cant believe you shovel-butted all of that!!!!!! You are an animal! I am so seriously impressed right now, you have no idea.
Thanks BrittanyC! You’re so kind! :) Is there any asphalt shovel-butting in your future?
OMG! You totally rocked that out! Job well done!!
Thanks Jami! All the love makes me want to go “RAWWWRRR”. Or grunt like Tim Taylor.
Seriously, I am way impressed. So much curb appeal in your future. And you did that all yourself? There’s nothing a motivated woman can’t do! Go Emily!
Thank you :) I did it ALL by myself, except for probably 10 swings of the sledge, which Pete did one day when he came outside to observe my progress and bring me a soda.
Fantastic job Emily…will look so nice when you get the soil in…really enjoyed your narration here between the little asphalt bags at the curb and Mr. Silver Carport next door. Do you do consults? I put some zip in my front door (color “wasabi” Benjamin Moore color swatch) but I need some other ideas to make it fit it more with the rest of the house…hope there are some good outdoor staining days yet.
Thank you! Glad you liked. Are you thinking other ideas for the exterior of your house? I’d flood your front porch with bright greens and yellows to complement the wasabi; I still am in full agreeance that you should paint the door. I think it’ll look great with the brown exterior.
My husband and I just bought our first house and there’s a largish patch of asphalt by the breezeway door that I want to remove to put in pavers/plants/ect because we have no backyard. He said that if I wanted it done, I’d have to do it myself without his help. Being a small woman, I was sad and figured it would be impossible unless I shelled out the money to pay someone.. But, after reading your article, I feel really empowered and confident that I can do it myself, even if little by little with the SBL technique.. Thank you!
Go girl! Give it a try. I think you can do it :) Glad this inspired you to try!
I have to say you have given me the hope that I can do it myself!! I am looking to shorten my driveway from 4 cars to 2. and add a 5ft semi private white vinyl fence. I have a small yard at the top of my driveway where I have maybe a 10×10 area of spaced flagstones….home to my glass patio table, chairs and umbrella. What a pain to move it every time I need to mow! Thinking of using the extra “driveway” area and do a large patio with pavers and design it up to incorporate the area of flagstone in some circular pattern. So I have a landscape company coming to give me an estimate but if it is too high to remove the asphalt…I may just muscle it myself …all 5’4′, 135ilbs of me!! I will certainly use your butt shovel leverage idea!! :) There is something to be said for looking back knowing you did it yourself!!
Perfect summer project, April! I love the sounds of what you’re planning, getting the asphalt layer itself removed wasn’t so bad once it started to loosen, but the crushed stones beneath were a pain to dig. In your case, it almost seems like you can leave that stone as the base for your pavers!
I’d be interested in knowing how companies price for removal (I can never even get paving companies to call me back!)
Good luck!
Wow. Impressive. I have a project just like this. My fear is, of course, what is UNDER the asphalt like your last section. Since I’m twice your size you have shamed me into doing it myself and not calling an escavator ! Good on ya!
Awesome! I needed the laughs and the inspiration.
HI Ms. Emily, could you tell me what to do with the removed asphalt from my garage it is almost 5 feet X 5 feet and 3 feet high pile sitting in my driveway. City do not want to take it.
We were lucky that the city took ours, but I also bagged the debris in small batches for easier removal. You can probably call most debris removal companies to come and take it for a small price (trash companies or companies that rent dumpsters may be willing to accommodate). Sorry about that :(
Dang! NICE JOB!
You have given me inspiration!
You were one of the few true depave-driveway projects and I think you kick ass! We were going to follow your lead then found someone to do it all in one day for $650 so we paid them instead. Just had the back half of our long driveway taken out and can’t wait to have more garden space, woo hoo!
(cont’d) – the first sentence meant one of the few projects we found online to truly remove rather than replace…most folks think we’re mad for getting rid of part of our driveway, but we don’t have a car and the garage is the size of a garden shed with our 1925 home so now it truly will be one :)
$650 = not a bad deal! Considering how laborious it was… did they drop in new soil and level it out for you too? Would be interested to know what other handymen would charge for a project like this. People love to pave more surface area, but at some point, it’s all gotta come back up!
So inspiring! I have a backyard that is a parking lot–former owners had lots of cars. And it is old, and broken, and no contractors call me back. Your story has inspired me to make this a summer project–slow and steady. I want to remove the asphalt and reclaim the space to become a yard. Thank you so much for your story–I even have all the equipment–b/c I did put in 2 paver projects–a patio next to the house and a front courtyard. Again, no contractors would call me back. I guess smaller projects are not attractive to them. Was so intimidated given the size of my project, but you have given me the hope and gumption to do it myself –little by little.
Good luck Lizette!!
Wow! I can’t believe you did that all with your hands. I want to remove the asphalt I have in my driveway and do a cobblestone/brick like pathway. I feel like it would be a lot more unique and compliment the house’s exterior rather than a cement driveway. This gave me hope, I have some time off this summer so I might as well put myself to work :) thank you.
You can do it!!
Great, inspirational (and informative) article! Just what I was looking for on line. I have just put an offer in on a 1915 bungalow that has excessive asphalt in the back and want to remove most of it for better drainage on the site and to add green space. I am already a confirmed DIY woman (once disassembled a player piano-recycled the wood, scrapped the metal parts, make raised garden beds out of old pallets etc…) This is another project that I would like to tackle myself and hope that my body will agree. I may scope out options such as finding some one to help or pay to have it done if the price is low enough. I hate to admit that my Arthritis probably would cripple me if I tried doing the whole thing myself. Maybe I will do more of the reconstruction part this time…just being realistic. Thanks for sharing your tips!
$325.00 for the Dump bin and $150.00 for two hours( they charges for two hours must) job of the bob cat for removal of ashphault and fixing the same grade crushed stone before packing the driveway. Rest you have to decide that you want to pave driveway, interlocks or pouring concrete cement. And piece of mind without sweat. This kind of works look good for heavy machines only.
You are my hero. I thought I was crazy… But good old fashioned physical work is not crazy. ! Bet you slept well. I’m staring at my silly-sized drive, in back of our sweet old fixer upper. Once we have a working shower:) I’m on it. You’re younger than I am but determination is ageless. Thanks for your record of this. So utterly inspiring.
I salute you – BRAVO !!! You are an amazing & courageous woman. I also have some asphalt to remove in front of the house; I just had a quote: $2500. + tx for removing the asphalt, & finishing with grass – completely discouraged. I feel I do a lot of work inside the house & outside; I own the house alone & I do what I gotta do. But I’m 66 yrs old & don’t think I could do that without having a heart attack – too much is too much! Wish I were younger & stronger .. loll Congrats girl, you’re my hero !!!
This was AMAZING! However I don’t think will help me in removing a quarter mile of asphalt drive way! :( I have a feeling its going to be a long process and cost more than I wanted it to! Maybe Ill just pile 4 ft of dirt on top of it and call it a day?
I am really impressed that you got so much of your driveway torn up with just a shovel and a hammer. I have a concrete patio that needs to be replaced. Unfortunately I don’t think I will be able to use elbow grease as effectively there. I might have to call in some professional help. Anyway, congratulations again on getting the asphalt up.
My whole yard is ashpalt, which I have been conscidering removing for the last 10 years (it was my father-in-laws house).
Your success gives me hope.
I’ve got friends (I think) that I can enlist for an hour or two (or 70), if I can convince my wife to let us start. It was her dad’s house after all, and the one she came home to when she was 12 inches long or less. Not that the ‘yard’ has been like that all that time, only since the early 70’s, but still…
Congratulations.
This is inspirational and absolutely what I was look looking for…
Did you put together your own driveway or did you end up getting someone to put it in..
do you have an after picture..?
After I removed part of the driveway I had soil delivered: https://merrypad.com/2011/09/27/dirty-jobs/
And then I graded it, tamped it and seeded new grass! https://merrypad.com/2011/10/17/new-garden-beds/
And then a few years later, I had the rest of the driveway replaced in full by a local company. https://merrypad.com/2013/08/21/driveway-excavation-paving/
How were you able to get a straight line where you chunked the asphalt away and where the drive way began ? I want to do this on a very small scale but I want to have a rather clean line where I break the drive way.
Ergh, I think it was careful chipping and probably some luck. It came up in small enough chunks that I was able to get the edge pretty smooth, but it certainly wasn’t perfect. The grass butting up to the driveway was a nice disguise.
Inspired by this I wedged a shovel under the asphalt walkway from my driveway to front door. I want it gone some rocks leapt up and got in my hair. I recommend for anyone trying this to WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!
:)
I guess your asphalt was pretty thin or very, very loose! Or you’re super duper strong.
I really enjoyed reading your article. It is a major undertaking to use a shovel and hammer not to mention brute strength! Haha. I have a company that does that.
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Great job! I’m going to tackle my asphalt driveway now! Thank you for the tips, your an inspiration1 You go girl!