Demolition Diary: From Sweat to Steel

But wait… we weren't done yet.

You see, the real challenge was still lurking underground - the old column.

This wasn't just any concrete chunk. This beast of a block was 6.5 feet deep, 4 feet by 3 feet wide, and made from concrete with a staggering 50 MPa strength rating. For anyone not fluent in concrete-speak, MPa (megapascals) measures how much pressure concrete can handle before it gives in. The higher the MPa, the stronger - and tougher - it is.

Now here's the kicker: 50 MPa is seriously over the top for a signpost. To put it in perspective, when the industrial slab for the All Roads Asphalt Plant in Coquitlam (designed to hold a 150-ton oil tank, mind you!) was poured, it only required 35 MPa. That makes this signpost column one unnecessarily tough cookie.

Hats off to the original builders - this thing was built like a bomb shelter. Multiple layers of steel rebar cages only added to the demolition drama. Kudos to them for durability; sympathy cards to us for the demolition!

Now, imagine trying to take down this concrete tank without the help of heavy equipment. Why? Because we're working smack dab in the middle of a bustling commercial area, where people are walking, shopping, and grabbing their morning coffees. Even hoisting the sign into place took a special city permit and a carefully timed window to redirect traffic.

So, the big machines stayed parked, and we rolled up our sleeves.

Armed with jackhammers, a three-man crew went to work - old school style. Under the blazing summer sun, we took turns hammering away, one painful inch at a time. For more than two full days, we powered through nonstop. By the end, we had sore shoulders, numb forearms, and a whole new level of respect for jackhammer operators everywhere.

And the result? Nothing. Not even a dent. The concrete beast stood undefeated.

Time for Plan B.

With approval finally secured from the authorities, we rolled in the big guns: the Cat 305 mini hydraulic excavator. This 5-ton rubber-tracked machine, armed with a hydraulic breaker attachment, packed way more punch than even our strongest crew member could dream of. In just two hours—yes, two—we reduced that stubborn block to rubble. Ten times faster. Zero drama.

So, why didn’t we bring in the excavator from the start? Simple. The authorities initially wanted us to minimize disruption to nearby businesses and foot traffic. They hoped manual labor might do the trick.

Looking back, the struggle was real—but the satisfaction of finally finishing the job? Totally worth it.