Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 12/13/2011

Question
I have a home built on a slab foundation. I'm going to be converting the attached garage into an office/den. There is a 4 inch high concrete step-over in the threshold of the door to the garage. Can this step-over be removed without compromising the structure? Also, am I likely to encounter rebar, or is a sledgehammer all that will be required to accomplish this? Thank you.

Answer
Hi David, this is an unusual situation..generally the entire garage floor is four to six inches below the house slab.  This is supposedly to keep noxious fumes (which are heavier than air) from getting into your house.  Apparently this four inch curb is attempting to accomplish the same thing. There may be a bar of steel in it.  You can knock most of the concrete out of the way with a sledge hammer and expose the steel which can be cut with a sawzall with a hacksaw type blade..sincerely Bruce Johnson