A concrete driveway takes more care to remove than a patio because it is connected to things that need to stay intact, like the garage floor, the sidewalk, the curb, and sometimes a drainage pipe under the entrance. Breaking up the concrete is the straightforward part. Most of the planning goes into the edges and into the section near the street, which usually sits on public property.
Signs a Driveway Needs to Come Out
A driveway that is failing usually shows it. Cracks keep getting wider, sections sink or lift, and the edges between slabs turn into trip hazards. Water that pools by the garage or runs toward the house means the slab has settled and lost its slope. Tree roots can push sections up from below, and older driveways often have a rough, flaking surface where the top layer has worn away.
Patching and sealing can buy time when the damage is only on the surface. Once sections have shifted or the gravel underneath has washed out, removing the driveway is usually the better fix.
Full Removal or Just the Damaged Sections
Driveways are poured in sections, so it is often possible to take out only the slabs that have failed. That works well when the damage is limited to one spot, such as the apron at the street or a section lifted by a tree. The downside is that new concrete rarely matches the old, and a driveway that is cracked all over will keep breaking down around the new pieces.
Replacing the whole driveway makes more sense when most of it is cracked or sunken, when the slope needs to change to fix drainage, or when the driveway is being widened or reshaped.
Protecting the Concrete That Stays
Before the breaking starts, the driveway is saw cut wherever it meets concrete that is staying. A clean cut at the garage, the sidewalk, and the curb keeps cracks from running past the removal line when the breaker starts working. Skipping that step is how a driveway job turns into a garage floor repair.
| Where the Driveway Meets | Why It Matters | How It Is Handled |
|---|---|---|
| Garage floor | Cracks can spread into the garage slab | Cut at the joint before breaking |
| Sidewalk | Usually belongs to the city or county | Cut and left in place unless it is being replaced too |
| Curb and street | Damage there becomes a public repair | Cut cleanly where the apron ends |
| Drainage pipe | A crushed pipe blocks the roadside ditch | Found and protected, or replaced with approval |
| Buried utility lines | Water, gas, and irrigation lines often run under driveways | Marked through Georgia 811 before digging |
The Section Near the Street
The apron, the part of the driveway between the street and the sidewalk or property line, is usually on public right-of-way. Many Georgia cities and counties require a permit to work there and have their own rules for how the new apron has to be built. If the home sits on a state highway, the Georgia Department of Transportation handles driveway permits. A quick call to the local permit office before the job starts helps keep the removal and the new pour on track.
Driveway Culverts on Rural Lots
On rural properties with a ditch along the road, the driveway usually crosses a culvert pipe. Heavy equipment working over that pipe can crush or shift it, so it has to be located and protected. If the pipe is too small, rusted out, or already caved in, replacing the driveway is a good time to replace it as well. BHH installs driveway culverts, and the post on driveway culverts in Georgia explains sizing and county approval.
How the Driveway Comes Out
After the edges are cut, the concrete is broken up with a hydraulic breaker mounted on an excavator or skid steer. Areas where cars and trucks park are often thicker or have rebar or wire mesh inside, so they take longer to break apart. The pieces are loaded into trucks and hauled away, and clean concrete goes to recycling where it is accepted.
If a new driveway is going in, the gravel underneath can sometimes stay. When that gravel has washed out, mixed with clay, or sunk, it needs to be dug out and replaced first. A new driveway poured over the same soft ground will crack the same way the old one did.
Getting In and Out During the Job
Once the old driveway is gone, cars cannot use it until the new one is poured and has cured. Lining up the removal with the concrete contractor's schedule keeps that gap short, and on long driveways the work can be done in sections so part of the drive stays open. It helps to plan ahead for where vehicles will park and how deliveries will reach the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Remove a Concrete Driveway?
Utility lines are marked first, and the driveway is saw cut where it meets the garage, sidewalk, and curb. The concrete is then broken up with a hydraulic breaker, loaded into trucks, and hauled off. Any culvert pipe under the entrance is protected or replaced.
Can You Remove Only Part of a Driveway?
Yes. Because driveways are poured in sections, damaged slabs can be cut out and replaced on their own. The new concrete will not match exactly, and if the whole driveway is cracking, full replacement usually holds up better.
Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Driveway in Georgia?
Work on private property may not need one, but the apron near the street often does because it sits on public right-of-way. Rules vary by city and county, and driveways on state highways go through the Georgia Department of Transportation.
How Long Does Driveway Removal Take?
It depends on the size and thickness of the driveway, any rebar inside it, and how easily equipment and trucks can get in. Long rural driveways and thick reinforced slabs take more time, and BHH gives a timeline along with the quote after seeing the property.
Driveway Cracked, Sunken, or Ready to Replace?
BHH Demolition removes concrete driveways across metro Atlanta and Georgia through its concrete and driveway removal service, including breaking up the concrete and hauling every load away. Call 404-974-7920 or request a free quote.
