How to Remove Bollards

Removing embedded fixed bollards is easier said than done, but if you're apprehensive about the permanency of installing these barriers, there are alternatives that may better suit your needs. Embedding a fixed bollard in the first place is a significant operation in and of itself, and undoing that work can be just as destructive and considerably more difficult. Removable bollards, on the other hand, are designed to be removed and reinstalled on a whim, so even if you change your mind about your bollards later on, you can take them out quickly and easily. Here are some tips on how to remove concrete bollard posts.

Removing Embedded Bollards

Installing embedded bollards is an involved process, as these posts are designed to withstand high-speed collisions. Installation includes drilling a hole, reinforcing it with rebar and piping, and filling it with concrete that secures the bollard in a rock-hard block. This means that to remove the bollard, you must break and/or remove the concrete block in which it's embedded—a process that may require construction equipment like a jackhammer and a forklift. Once the bollard is removed, you may be left with significant damage to your concrete surface, necessitating further excavation followed by refilling.

Removable Bollards as an Alternative

Because the installation and removal of concrete bollard posts is so involved, removable bollards are a popular alternative. These offer comparable strength, but without the same permanency. Instead of installing the bollard itself directly in the concrete, you install a specially-fitted sleeve. The removable bollard then fits into the sleeve, locking in place underground. When you remove it, you can replace it with a filler piece or a build-in lid that closes over the sleeve, maintaining a flush surface with the ground. If you suspect that you may need to temporarily or even permanently remove your bollards in the future, a removable model may be more suitable than an embedded fixed one.