Step 2 · Break Concrete and Excavate

This is the step most people slow down on. Take it one move at a time — there’s no rush, and you can rewind the clip as many times as you need.

Before starting, put on your personal protective equipment: safety glasses, heavy-duty gloves, steel-toed boots, and a dust mask or respirator. Using a demolition hammer (jackhammer) is most effective, but a sledgehammer and cold chisel will also work. Carefully break up the concrete within the marked area. Work from the center outwards to avoid cracking the surrounding floor. Remove the broken concrete pieces with a bucket. Once the concrete is removed, use a shovel to dig out the gravel, sand, and soil around the main drain pipe. You must excavate deep enough to fully expose the top, sides, and bottom of the pipe, providing enough clearance (at least 6-12 inches) to make cuts and install the new valve.