Jack Hammer Rental

Jack hammer rental puts professional demolition power in reach for breaking concrete, removing tile, trenching, and other heavy-duty breaking tasks. Choosing the right size and type, understanding the safety requirements, and knowing a few tricks makes the difference between an efficient project and a frustrating struggle.

Whether you're breaking up a concrete patio, removing a driveway, or chipping out tile, renting a jack hammer (also called a demolition hammer or breaker) avoids the significant cost of purchasing equipment you'll rarely use. This guide covers everything you need to know to rent and use a jack hammer effectively.

Types of jack hammers

Electric demolition hammers

Most common for rental—plug into standard or high-amperage outlets.

Power range. 10-70+ ft-lbs impact energy.
Weight. 10-70+ lbs (4.5-32+ kg).
Best for. Light to medium concrete, indoor work, residential projects.
Advantages. No compressor needed, quieter, easy to transport.
Limitations. Less power than pneumatic, cord management.

Pneumatic (air) jack hammers

Power range. 35-90+ ft-lbs impact energy.
Weight. 35-90+ lbs (16-41+ kg).
Best for. Heavy concrete, large-scale demolition, professional use.
Advantages. Maximum power, continuous operation, no overheating.
Limitations. Requires compressor rental, louder, less portable.

Gas-powered breakers

Self-contained units with gasoline engines.

Best for. Remote locations without power, outdoor work.
Advantages. No cords or compressor, go-anywhere capability.
Limitations. Heavier, exhaust fumes, more maintenance.

Rotary hammers (hammer drills)

Combination drilling and light chipping.

Best for. Drilling holes, light chipping, tile removal.
Weight. 5-25 lbs (2-11 kg).
Limitations. Not for heavy concrete breaking.

Sizing your rental

Match hammer to the job

Job Type	Recommended Hammer	Impact Energy
Tile removal	Light electric	5-15 ft-lbs
Thin concrete (2-3")	Medium electric	15-25 ft-lbs
Standard concrete (4-6")	Heavy electric	25-40 ft-lbs
Thick/reinforced concrete	Pneumatic or heavy electric	40-70+ ft-lbs
Asphalt	Medium-heavy electric	25-50 ft-lbs
Rock/heavy demolition	Pneumatic	60-90+ ft-lbs

When bigger isn't better

Oversized hammers are harder to control
Heavy hammers cause faster operator fatigue
More power than needed can damage surrounding areas
Select the smallest hammer that will do the job efficiently

Consider the work position

Horizontal (floors). Weight helps—heavier is okay.
Vertical (walls). Lighter hammers reduce fatigue.
Overhead. Lightest practical hammer.

Rental costs

Typical rental rates

Hammer Type	Daily Rate	Weekly Rate
Light electric (10-20 lb)	$40-65	$120-200
Medium electric (20-35 lb)	$55-85	$165-275
Heavy electric (35-70 lb)	$70-120	$210-400
Pneumatic (with bits)	$80-150	$250-500
Air compressor (for pneumatic)	$75-150	$225-500

Additional rental items

Bits/chisels. Often included or $10-30/day extra.
Air hose (pneumatic). May be included with compressor.
Cart/dolly. $10-20/day for heavy hammers.
Dust shroud. $10-25/day for indoor work.

Bit types

Pointed/moil. General breaking, starting holes.
Flat/chisel. Cutting, chipping, scaling.
Wide chisel. Tile removal, thin material.
Asphalt cutter. Cutting asphalt cleanly.
Bushing tool. Surface texturing.

Renting pneumatic vs. electric

Choose electric when

Concrete is 6 inches or less
Working indoors (fumes from compressor)
Noise is a concern
Limited space for compressor
Shorter duration project
Want simpler setup

Choose pneumatic when

Breaking heavy or reinforced concrete
Large area to cover
Extended duration work
Maximum power needed
Already have compressor access

Compressor requirements (pneumatic)

Pneumatic hammers need significant air supply:

CFM requirement. 35-90+ CFM depending on hammer size.
Typical compressor. 185 CFM towable compressor for heavy hammers.
Smaller options. Some lighter pneumatic hammers work with 90 CFM portable compressors.
Always verify. Check hammer's CFM requirement against compressor output.

Safety requirements

Jack hammer work involves serious hazards. Proper safety equipment is essential.

Required PPE

Safety glasses or goggles. Flying debris is constant.
Face shield. Additional protection recommended.
Hearing protection. Essential—jack hammers exceed 100 dB.
Dust mask or respirator. Concrete dust is harmful.
Heavy work gloves. Vibration and debris protection.
Steel-toed boots. Protect from falling debris and dropped hammer.
Long pants and sleeves. Protect skin from debris.

Vibration hazards

Extended jack hammer use causes Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS):

Take regular breaks (10-15 minutes per hour minimum)
Use anti-vibration gloves
Don't grip tighter than necessary
Keep hands warm (cold increases damage)
Rotate tasks with other workers if possible

Other safety considerations

Underground utilities. Call 811 before breaking ground.
Electrical. Keep cords away from water and work area.
Bystanders. Establish exclusion zone for flying debris.
Structural. Don't undermine walls or foundations.
Fatigue. Stop if too tired to maintain control.

Tips for effective use

Before starting

Mark the area to be removed
Identify and protect anything nearby you want to keep
Plan debris removal (it accumulates fast)
Wet concrete to reduce dust (if safe electrically)
Test hammer operation before committing to the work

Breaking technique

Start at edges. Work from free edges toward center.
Don't force it. Let the hammer do the work.
Work at an angle. 20-30° from vertical works better than straight down.
Keep moving. Don't hammer one spot—work across the area.
Break into chunks. Smaller pieces are easier to remove.
Clear debris regularly. Don't bury your work area.

For reinforced concrete

Break concrete away from rebar first
Cut rebar with angle grinder or bolt cutters
Don't try to break through rebar with the hammer
Work around rebar grid pattern

Avoiding common problems

Bit stuck. Wiggle while running, don't yank.
Overheating (electric). Take breaks; don't push continuous use.
Poor breaking. May need sharper bit or more power.
Flying chunks. Control angle to direct debris safely.

Where to rent

Rental sources

Home Depot Tool Rental. Convenient locations, electric options.
United Rentals. Wide selection including pneumatic.
Sunbelt Rentals. Professional equipment.
Local equipment rental. Often competitive pricing, personal service.
Tool rental specialists. May have specialty items.

Questions to ask

What size hammer do you recommend for my project?
What bits are included? What extras might I need?
Is there a demonstration available?
What's the return condition requirement?
What's the overtime rate if I keep it longer?

Before leaving the rental yard

Inspect equipment for damage
Test that it runs properly
Verify you have all necessary bits and accessories
Get operating instructions
Know the emergency contact number

Returning the rental

Cleaning requirements

Remove concrete and debris from hammer body
Clean bits before returning
Wipe down exterior
Check for damage that occurred during use

Return on time

Overtime charges add up quickly
Call ahead if you'll be late
Some companies offer early return credits

When to hire instead

Consider hiring a contractor when:

Project is very large (full driveway, foundation)
Reinforced concrete throughout
Structural elements are involved
Permits are required
You lack the physical capability
Time is more valuable than cost savings