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For concrete that’s under 3 inches thick, use a crowbar or a wrecking tool like a sledgehammer to pry the concrete, starting at the corners and working toward the center. You’ll need a jackhammer to break up concrete that’s over 3 inches thick. Do your homework if you use a jackhammer; you’ll need full protective gear that includes a hard hat, safety goggles, and steel-toed boots.

Large boulders may require professional assistance or heavy machinery to break them up safely and efficiently for removal. To do it yourself, use a masonry drill bit to drill holes into the boulder's surface at weak points or natural cracks. Once the holes are in place, insert metal wedges and shims. Then, strike the wedges with a sledgehammer to apply pressure and split the boulder along the drilled lines. It is vital to wear safety gear that protects your eyes, hands, feet, and body while performing this task.

Removing fence posts that are set in concrete is something you can't do by hand. You will need an excavator, a strong post-puller, or a jackhammer. If you plan on recycling the concrete base, you may be able to cut the post out with a jackhammer and then set the new post in the existing base. However, it's usually better to remove both the fence post and concrete together. Due to the weight of concrete, you will need a hydraulic removal tool.

If you don't have access to commercial equipment, you can utilize a pickaxe or circular saw with a masonry blade to break up asphalt. However, this is generally only effective in small areas. A jackhammer is usually needed to break up slabs of asphalt into smaller pieces. The most effective method when removing an entire driveway is an excavator that breaks apart and pries away asphalt.