Cleaning the UNDERSIDE of paving slabs

[ManintheGap]

I have recently bought a house where the garden was completely paved. I have discovered that the paving slabs are very expensive, so I am hoping to re-use as many as I can.

I have lifted all the slabs but most of them have come up with compacted sand and cement encrusted onto their underside. The only way I have been able to chip it off so far is to use a hammer and chisel, but this is taking a very long time and causing my hands to be very painful afterwards.

Does anybody know of a quicker or less exhausting way to clean the bottom of these slabs so they can be re-laid again?

[maviscoull]

you could try a power washer. it will get rid of the sand but not sure about the cement

[ManintheGap]

Thanks for the idea, but alas, here in the Gap, we have a hose-pipe ban still (even after all this rain!). Any other suggestions?

[kwicky]

An angle grinder will remove those bits where you need a hammer and chisel