Now it's on to the steps

We installed our last short joist today. The deck is aaaaaaaaalot sturdier. We are pleased.Next step in the rejuvenation of the deck is the two sets of steps. But first is concrete removal.

This walkway was poured in two layers. The first layer was concrete with a lot of aggregate. The second or top layer is just cement with the large slate pieces laid on top.Some of the slate comes off easy without breaking but others requires a soft touch with the cold chisel and sledge hammer. We are hoping to save as much of the slate as possible for a future sidewalk repair job on the north side of the house.By the end of the day we had the slate removed from the concrete that we are removing. Tomorrow we bust up the remaining first layer. This layer breaks up into big pieces unlike the top layer.