Quick Summary
Concrete removal on New Orleans-area properties addresses problems that are far more common here than in most U.S. cities: flood-saturated slabs from Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Ida (2021), soil subsidence caused by South Louisiana’s alluvial clay base, and impermeable surfaces that trap standing water on flat terrain in Orleans, Jefferson, and St. John the Baptist parishes. Big Easy Demolition provides licensed concrete removal across the metro, handling everything from cracked residential driveways and post-storm foundation slabs to commercial parking lots and pool shells. Removing concrete that is beyond repair clears the way for proper site drainage, new construction, or compliant rebuilding in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA).
Last Updated: June 2026
Concrete removal in New Orleans, Louisiana solves a specific set of problems rooted in the city’s geology, storm history, and development pattern. Big Easy Demolition removes residential and commercial concrete across five parishes, from flood-heaved slabs in Lakeview to deteriorated carport pads on pier-and-beam shotgun houses in the Tremé and post-storm foundation pours in LaPlace. Where a slab has cracked beyond repair, absorbed storm floodwater, or begun to sink with the underlying clay soil, removing it is more cost-effective than patching, and required before any federally compliant rebuild in a FEMA-designated flood zone can proceed.
When Does Concrete Need to Be Removed Rather Than Repaired?
Concrete that has heaved, cracked through its full depth, or absorbed prolonged floodwater cannot be patched back to structural soundness. Removal is the correct answer when cracks run wider than a quarter inch through the full slab thickness, when sections have dropped or risen more than an inch relative to each other, or when post-storm water saturation has caused spalling and rebar corrosion throughout the pour.
South Louisiana’s alluvial clay soil contracts and expands with seasonal moisture changes and compresses gradually under weight, a process called subsidence. Slabs placed on unstabilized fill, particularly in post-Katrina Lakeview or post-Ida areas of St. John the Baptist Parish, often show progressive settlement that widens over time. Patching a slab sitting on a moving base is a short-term fix at best.
In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), including AE flood zones that cover large portions of Orleans and Jefferson parishes, a damaged foundation or slab must be fully removed before a federally compliant rebuild or substantial improvement can begin. FEMA’s substantial improvement rule, administered locally by the City of New Orleans through its floodplain management ordinance, requires that structures in AE zones meeting the 50% rule be elevated and rebuilt to current base flood elevation standards. That process starts with a cleared site, not a patched one.
What Does Concrete Removal Do for Property Drainage in South Louisiana?
Removing cracked or settled concrete allows a property owner to regrade the site and restore positive drainage before new construction begins. South Louisiana’s flat topography and clay-heavy alluvial soil make standing water a chronic problem; impermeable concrete that has settled out of plane, leaving low spots and broken joints, makes that problem worse.
Old concrete pads, deteriorated driveways, and broken carport slabs create areas where rainwater pools rather than drains toward the street or catch basin. In Jefferson Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish, ongoing infrastructure improvements tied to the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain levee project (an 18.5-mile earthen levee system targeted for completion in 2028 providing 100-year storm surge protection) include improved surface drainage networks in communities like LaPlace and Paradis. Removing outdated impermeable surfaces from residential and commercial lots supports the function of those drainage improvements at the parcel level.
After slab removal, the crew’s excavation services can regrade the exposed subgrade to direct stormwater away from the structure and toward the proper drainage path before any new pour is placed.
What Types of Concrete Does Big Easy Demolition Remove?
- Driveways and parking pads: Cracked or sunken residential driveways are among the most common concrete removal jobs in Metairie, Kenner, and River Ridge. Jefferson Parish’s clay base causes uneven settlement that creates trip hazards and pooling, and most driveway concrete in the area is too far gone to level effectively without full removal.
- Patios and carport slabs: Many raised pier-and-beam shotgun houses and camelback structures throughout Uptown, Mid-City, and the Seventh Ward have old concrete patios or enclosed carport pads that flood, heave, and no longer drain properly. Removing them opens options for landscaping, permeable pavers, or a fresh conforming pour.
- Sidewalks: Municipal sidewalk replacement projects in Orleans Parish sometimes require homeowners to remove existing failed sections. New sidewalk construction must meet ADA grade requirements, which often means a fresh pour rather than a patch. The concrete removal service covers sidewalk panels and right-of-way sections throughout the service area.
- Swimming pool shells: Abandoning an in-ground pool in New Orleans requires removing or filling the concrete shell to prevent it from floating in high groundwater conditions, which are common in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Full shell removal gives the site the most flexibility for future use.
- Building slabs and foundations: Post-storm demolition under the disaster relief demolition program frequently includes slab removal after a structure comes down. FEMA SFHA requirements and local floodplain ordinances often mandate full foundation removal before a compliant replacement structure can be built.
- Retaining walls: Older block and poured-concrete retaining walls in properties along higher terrain in Algiers Point, Gretna, and the West Bank can shift or lean as soil moves. Removal before they fail prevents damage to adjacent property.
- Commercial parking lots: Large-scale commercial concrete removal for commercial demolition or redevelopment projects requires heavy equipment and coordinated debris hauling across the five-parish service area.
How Is Concrete Removed and What Happens to the Material?
Concrete removal uses hydraulic jackhammers, concrete saws, and excavators fitted with hydraulic breakers to break and lift slabs. The method depends on slab thickness, reinforcement (plain concrete versus rebar-reinforced versus post-tensioned), and site access. A residential driveway typically calls for a handheld jackhammer and skid-steer loader; a commercial foundation pour requires tracked excavators with breaker attachments.
Once broken, concrete is classified as Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris under Louisiana law. Louisiana Administrative Code 33:VII.305.A.4 governs C&D waste disposal and directs that this material go to permitted Type III solid waste disposal facilities. Not all general landfills accept C&D debris, so the contractor is responsible for directing material to compliant sites.
Broken concrete can sometimes be recycled as crushed aggregate for road sub-base or fill material, depending on the condition of the concrete and the policies of the receiving facility. The licensed crew coordinates debris removal and disposal through the company’s debris removal operation, which includes transport to appropriate C&D facilities serving the Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Tammany Parish areas.
Does Concrete Removal Require a Permit in New Orleans?
Structural concrete removal in Orleans Parish (including foundation slabs, building footings, and load-bearing pads) requires a permit from the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits, accessible through the permit portal at onestopapp.nola.gov. The permit fee structure for demolition-related work in New Orleans starts at a base of $95 plus $5 per $1,000 of project value, per the Department of Safety and Permits fee schedule. Properties within any of the 14 Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) districts, including the Marigny, Tremé, Bywater, Lower Garden District, and Holy Cross, carry an additional 50% surcharge on the permit fee.
Decorative flatwork such as unattached patios, walkways, and decorative pads not tied to a structure’s foundation system may fall outside the permit requirement in some cases, but confirming with the permit office before starting work is always the right call. Getting this wrong delays a project and can create problems at closing if you sell the property.
In Jefferson Parish, the Jefferson Parish Building Permits Department handles demolition and concrete removal permits for Metairie, Kenner, Harahan, River Ridge, and Gretna. St. Tammany Parish concrete removal permits are issued by St. Tammany Parish Permits and Inspections, reachable at 985-898-2574, for work in Mandeville, Covington, and Slidell. St. John the Baptist Parish work goes through the St. John the Baptist Parish Planning and Zoning Department at 1801 West Airline Highway, 985-536-7643. Permit applications across all five parishes are coordinated by the project team as part of every concrete removal job, so property owners do not have to navigate multiple agencies alone.
A property in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) may also require documentation tied to the floodplain management process before work begins. The project team is familiar with AE and VE flood zone requirements across the metro and can walk property owners through what documentation is needed. For independent flood zone verification, FEMA’s flood map service is available at fema.gov/flood-maps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concrete removal cost per square foot in New Orleans?
Concrete removal pricing varies based on slab thickness, rebar content, equipment access, and disposal distance. Thin residential flatwork (3–4 inches, no rebar) costs less per square foot than reinforced foundation pads or post-tensioned commercial slabs. Site-specific quotes are available after a free on-site assessment; call (504) 688-4399 for a project-specific number.
Can concrete from a removed slab be recycled?
Broken concrete can be processed into crushed aggregate for road sub-base and fill applications, depending on the concrete’s condition and the recycling facility accepting the load. Under Louisiana Administrative Code 33:VII.305.A.4, C&D debris must go to permitted Type III facilities, some of which accept and process concrete for aggregate reuse. The contractor handling removal is responsible for directing material to a compliant site.
How long does concrete removal take for a typical residential project?
A standard residential driveway or patio removal in the New Orleans metro typically takes one day for a crew with the right equipment. Larger projects, such as a full foundation slab removal after a post-storm demolition in Orleans or St. John Parish, can take two to three days depending on slab size and debris volume.
What happens to the ground after a slab is removed?
After concrete removal, the subgrade is typically excavated or graded as the next step before new construction begins. In South Louisiana, where clay soil subsidence is a factor, a geotechnical assessment or compaction test may be appropriate before placing a new foundation, especially in post-Katrina Lakeview or post-Ida areas of Jefferson Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish. An excavation crew can handle the grading work after the slab is clear.
What happens if I leave a damaged slab in place?
A damaged slab left in place continues to settle unevenly, creating trip hazards and worsening drainage problems over time. In AE flood zones in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, a deteriorated slab that has lost grade can increase standing water duration after storms. For properties in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), a failed foundation slab can also complicate the substantial improvement process required before a structure can be rebuilt or significantly renovated under floodplain ordinance rules.
Do I need an asbestos inspection before removing concrete?
Concrete itself does not contain asbestos, but materials bonded to or adjacent to the slab in pre-1980 structures (adhesive underlayments, duct encasements, pipe wrap, or older floor coatings on garage slabs) may contain Regulated Asbestos-Containing Materials (RACM). Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) regulations require submission of Form AAC-2 at least 10 working days before demolition begins on any structure where RACM is present. A licensed contractor should advise clients on whether a pre-demolition asbestos survey is warranted before concrete removal begins.
Does Big Easy Demolition handle the permit for concrete removal?
The project team coordinates permit applications for concrete removal across Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. John the Baptist, and Tangipahoa parishes. For Orleans Parish structural work, the permit goes through the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits at onestopapp.nola.gov. Jefferson Parish structural removal permits go through the Jefferson Parish Building Permits Department. No work begins until all required permits are in hand.
Is concrete removal covered by homeowners insurance after a hurricane?
Concrete slab or foundation removal may be covered under the dwelling portion of a homeowners policy or through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) when the damage is caused by a named storm. Documentation requirements vary by insurer and policy type. A licensed demolition contractor can provide detailed project estimates and damage documentation to support an insurance claim for post-storm slab removal in Orleans, Jefferson, or St. John the Baptist parishes.
For more on this topic, the Big Easy Demolition blog also covers removing a mobile or manufactured home from a property and preparing a structure for interior selective demolition before the concrete work begins.
Ready to move forward on a concrete removal project? Call Big Easy Demolition at (504) 688-4399 to schedule a site visit. The team handles permit coordination, debris hauling, and licensed concrete removal across New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Harahan, River Ridge, Gretna, Mandeville, Covington, Slidell, LaPlace, and Hammond. One call covers permit research, site assessment, and project scheduling across all five parishes.
The company also handles residential demolition services and land clearing for property owners planning new construction after slab removal. The full service area and project types are listed on the company’s website.
About the Author: The Big Easy Demolition team has been removing concrete, clearing sites, and managing permitted demolition projects across New Orleans and the surrounding Louisiana parishes for years. From post-Katrina lot clearances in Lakeview and the Lower Ninth Ward to post-Ida foundation removal in St. John the Baptist Parish, the crew works in the specific soil conditions, flood zones, and permit environments that define South Louisiana demolition. The company is licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) for commercial projects and serves residential clients across all five parishes.
Citations
- City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits, Demolition Permit Fee Schedule, onestopapp.nola.gov, 2024
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), Louisiana Administrative Code 33:VII.305.A.4: C&D Debris Type III Disposal Requirements, ldeq.louisiana.gov
- FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program: Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage Requirements, fema.gov, 2024
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System, publications.usace.army.mil, 2023
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), Asbestos Pre-Demolition Notification Requirements, Form AAC-2, ldeq.louisiana.gov