Step 2 · Break Concrete and Dig Trenches
This is the most physically demanding step. Wearing full personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection, dust mask, gloves, steel-toed boots) is non-negotiable. Use the chalk lines from the previous step as your guide to cut the perimeter of the trenches with a concrete saw for cleaner edges (optional but recommended). Then, use an electric demolition hammer or jackhammer to break up the concrete within the marked trench lines. A sledgehammer can be used to break up larger pieces. Use a pry bar and shovel to remove the broken concrete and a wheelbarrow to transport it out of the basement. Dig the trench deep enough to accommodate the diameter of your drain pipe (e.g., 3-inch pipe), plus a bed of gravel underneath, while maintaining a consistent slope of 1/4 inch per foot towards the main drain line.