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Yes, you can pour new concrete over old concrete, but you need to apply a concrete bonding agent to the existing concrete to ensure the new concrete sticks. Keep in mind that even with a bonding agent, large cracks and other flaws will still come through. If the concrete has heaved, settled, or cracked, pouring new concrete on top won’t address any root structural problems. Removing the existing concrete and rebuilding will be your best solution in that case.

Yes, you can remove concrete by hand with a sledgehammer if the concrete is no more than 4 inches thick. Most patios and sidewalks fit into this category. With concrete deeper than 6 inches, a jackhammer may be necessary to break it up. Only use a jackhammer if you have the proper training and safety equipment.

Yes, fence posts should be set in concrete to provide the proper support for the fence. If you notice your fence posts leaning, you’ll need to learn how to brace a fence post to fix the problem and prevent further damage from occurring. By bracing a fence post properly, you’ll provide stability and sturdiness to your fence for years to come.

A 4-inch-thick concrete slab can support around 4,000 pounds per square foot if a contractor reinforces the slab with rebar, while that same slab without reinforcements will support closer to 1,000 pounds. For the purposes of a patio, 4 inches in thickness without reinforcement should suffice unless you’re installing heavy kitchen equipment or a hot tub on it. In those cases, reinforcing your slab and sticking with 4 inches of thickness should provide plenty of strength.