Remove What No Longer Serves Your Property

Concrete & Hardscape Removal in St Paul, Minnesota

When a driveway cracks beyond repair or a patio settles unevenly, removal becomes the first step toward a usable outdoor space again. Old concrete and hardscape surfaces in St Paul often show years of freeze-thaw damage, root intrusion, and base erosion that make resurfacing impractical. Removal clears the way for new construction, landscape redesign, or site redevelopment without working around compromised material.

Pirner Contracting removes concrete driveways, patios, sidewalks, slabs, and foundation remnants from residential and commercial properties throughout St Paul. The service handles thick, reinforced concrete common in older construction, and includes breaking, extraction, hauling, and proper disposal of all materials. Removal is frequently combined with garage or structure demolition when properties are being reset or rebuilt. The work supports resurfacing projects, drainage improvements, and full landscape overhauls.

If you need a concrete-specific estimate in St Paul, contact Pirner Contracting to review the site and schedule removal that aligns with your project.

How Concrete Gets Broken Down and Hauled Out

Removal begins with breaking the concrete into manageable sections using hydraulic breakers, jackhammers, or excavator-mounted tools depending on thickness and reinforcement. In St Paul, many older driveways and slabs are reinforced with rebar or wire mesh, which requires cutting and separation before hauling. Material is loaded into trucks and taken to approved disposal or recycling facilities.

After removal, you will see exposed subgrade where the concrete used to sit. The area is cleared of large debris, and the surface is left ready for grading, fill, or new installation. If the base has settled or eroded, that becomes visible once the slab is gone, allowing you to address underlying issues before rebuilding.

The service does not include regrading, compaction, or installation of replacement surfaces unless arranged separately. If tree roots or drainage problems contributed to the original failure, those should be addressed before new hardscape is installed. Removal focuses on extraction and cleanup, preparing the site for the next phase of work.

Common Concerns About Removing Old Concrete

Property owners often ask how long removal takes, what condition the area will be in afterward, and whether disposal is included. These answers address the practical details most people want to know before scheduling the work.

Black excavator scooping up dirt.
What types of concrete surfaces can be removed?
The service handles driveways, patios, sidewalks, slabs, and foundation remnants. Reinforced and unreinforced concrete are both manageable depending on thickness and access.
Black excavator digging into dirt.
How is concrete disposed of after removal?
All material is hauled off-site and taken to approved recycling or disposal facilities. Disposal is included in the service and does not require separate coordination.
Black excavator digging in the dirt.
What happens to the ground after the concrete is removed?
You will see the exposed subgrade or base material where the concrete sat. Large debris is cleared, but grading or compaction is handled separately if needed for new installation.
Black excavator digging into a pile of dirt.
How long does it take to remove a typical driveway?
Most residential driveways in St Paul can be broken up and hauled away in one to two days. Larger slabs or heavily reinforced areas may take longer.
Black excavator digging dirt.
Why remove concrete instead of resurfacing it?
Resurfacing only works if the underlying base and slab are stable. If the concrete has settled, cracked deeply, or been compromised by roots or erosion, removal allows you to fix the base and start fresh.

Pirner Contracting serves residential and commercial sites across the east metro, including St Paul, where older properties often require concrete removal before resurfacing or redevelopment. If you are planning a landscape redesign or rebuild, get in touch to discuss removal timing and site access.