Best way to demolish a shed?

I have a 7' x 10' shed I need to destroy as soon as possible so I can build a new one, get all my shed stuff out my g/h and make more room for seedlings. I had a really good go today for a couple of hours and didn't get very far. None of the screws etc. will undo (shed is 25 years old). The roof is planks rather than sheets and covered with 2 layers of roofing felt, the bottom layer stuck on, the top layer much easier to remove. All I managed to achieve was making a small hole in the roof today and at this rate it will take all year. Can I take a chainsaw to it? If so, what would be the best way to go about it? Some pics as I know you like them...

 

If your just going to smash it up and skip it then a lump hammer will do the job tickety boo.

Wear goggles and decent gloves though! If you haven't used a chainsaw before then use a lump hammer. Chainsaws can be very dangerous and lethal things.

Tally ho...............

 

What weapons tools do you have at your disposal?

I thoroughly love demolition jobs. Its a great way to vent any frustrations that might be niggling away.

No point sawing it up, although it might be quite satisfying, especially if you can mess your hair up first and pull a cheesy grin while giggling hysterically, and then glance at the neighbours as their curtains twitch.

A sledge hammer usually takes no prisoners, but be careful where you whack. You don't want to knock the walls free while standing under the roof

The use of a crowbar would be the more surgical approach, and if you have some good sturdy boots with good soles and good ankle support, a combination of crowbar and good kick is very rewarding.

 

Um, girl question, is a lump hammer a hammer with a big, square, very heavy end? If so I hit it all over as I hard as I could without noticeable effect. Mine has a very short handle though and I felt like I was hampered somewhat by this.
To be completely honest, I'm terrified of chainsaws. Mine is a small, lightweight electric one that I've used very occasionally for chopping firewood. I am nervous about taking on a job like this with it.
Well done on giving up smoking by the way!

 

Thanks Clueless, I hadn't thought of a crowbar, are they easy to use?
Actually my new neighbours thoroughly deserve a good scare, maybe I should stick to the chainsaw oh and their shed is only 2 feet from this one so it would be even scarier!

 

Yes, this is a lumphammer Lindsey



Like clue, I love destroying things like sheds etc... Very satisfying!!

If you have the stamina for a sledgehammer then even better. It's surprising what even a small whack can achieve with one.

 

Or, how's about:-








*KABOOM*

 

Al n, now don't go putting the wrong ideas into Lindsay's head. Her neighbours want to keep their shed!

 

If you use a sledgehammer you'll have a great big heap of splintered side/roof panels that will still need cutting up to dispose of, so use a jigsaw to cut the boarding out from between the framework (roof first) and it will be in nice short lengths to bag up. Then slice up the framework.

I have a petrol chainsaw and would never consider using it on something like a shed that's likely to do something dodgy like collapse onto and grip the chain.

 

Advertise "Shed going free" and let someonelse take it away. Job done.

 

Yeah, I go along with Scrungee, for the least effort and the safest method yet suggested.

 

Nice idea Kindredspirit but it's far too rotten around the bottom/edges to be reused. Plus there would be no way to take it apart to move it without destroying it.
Is a jigsaw an electric saw? I have one of those and that sounds like a really good idea. Is a sledgehammer the same as a lump hammer?

 

No. A sledgehammer has a long handle and a four pound head. Its an entirely different technique to using other hammers. You use a sledgehammer more like a pendulum or wrecking ball. You let the hammer do the work. Most people who've never used one quickly work up a sweat by actually trying to drive the hammer home to its target by force. The trick is to get a nice leisurely swing in a nice wide arc, with the target just happening to be directly in the trajectory of the hammer head. The more complete the circle the head travels in, the less effort is required and the most force is achieved.

Never lift it directly above your head and drive down. If you must swing it over head height, swing it such the at the top of the arc, the head should be over to one side a bit relative to your head. Remember, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If you drive the hammer straight down and it bounces, it will whack you in the face. If you drive it straight down and miss, it will take your legs off. If you come down at an angle and it goes wrong, it will miss you.

 

I'm not being 'funny' here but ... if you are taking *that* much effort to deconstruct it, surely it would be an easier/cheaper job to fix it up?

Seriously! I once had to demolish an "old" shed (because I had no clue on how to tart it back up again/renovate). But, these days, you pay a lot for very little - older sheds are most defintely worth their weight in gold (in terms of construction, durability, economy!).

In your shoes, I would be counting my blessings at a sturdy construction and be looking at renovativing rather than removal Even 25 yrs ago, "built to last" was something to be valued, not disposed of. In more recent years, it seems to me you pay a lot for such a little (in terms of fit, endurance, practicality).

All I'm saying is: in your situation, if it takes *THAT* much effort to demolish it, why on earth would you demolish it?