Skid steer breaking up a cracked concrete driveway for replacement

Concrete Replacement: Tear Out the Old, Pour It Right

Some concrete is worth saving. Some is not. If your slab has sunk, broken apart, or failed after repeated patches, you have probably reached the point where the useful question is not "How do I cover this?" but "What should go back in its place?"

Fort Lauderdale Concrete Company handles concrete replacement for homeowners and property owners who need a failed surface removed and rebuilt. We help you decide whether the whole slab needs to go, whether only one section does, and what has to change so the new concrete does not fail the same way.

Request your concrete replacement estimate

— Know When to Replace

Signs You Probably Need Replacement

The slab has sunk or tilts, especially toward your home.

Cracks are wide, deep, or run through the full thickness of the slab.

Several cracks run in different directions across the same area.

The surface is crumbling or large pieces are missing.

Tree roots are lifting the concrete from below.

Water pools in the same spot after every rain.

Past repairs keep failing in the same area.

The base underneath has washed out or shifted.

Industry rules of thumb exist, such as replacing when more than about 30 percent of a slab is damaged, or when repair costs approach half the cost of new concrete. Treat these as starting points, not verdicts. Your slab's cause of failure matters more than a percentage.

Concrete Replacement Services

Worker compacting gravel base before pouring a new concrete slab

Full Slab Replacement

When damage is widespread, we remove the entire slab, correct the conditions that caused the failure, and pour new concrete. This gives you a clean start, including a chance to change the layout, size, or finish.

Newly poured concrete entry steps and landing after form removal

Partial and Section Replacement

If damage is limited to certain panels, replacing only those sections can be more practical than redoing everything. We cut cleanly along joints where possible, prepare the base, and match the new section to the surrounding surface as closely as we can. New concrete will look different from older concrete at first, and we explain that before we start.

Driveway Replacement

Driveways take the hardest daily load. A replacement is a chance to improve thickness, drainage, reinforcement, and joint layout. See our concrete driveway services .

Patio and Walkway Replacement

Cracked, tilted, or uneven patios and paths can become tripping hazards. Replacement lets us reset the slope and rebuild transitions to the home, yard, and steps. See concrete patios and concrete walkways and steps .

Pool Deck Replacement

Work around an existing pool needs extra protection and careful planning near coping and drains. See pool deck services.

— Root Causes

Why Concrete Fails in the First Place

Replacing a slab without fixing the cause just sets up the next failure. These are the issues we look for before pouring.

Poor or Washed-Out Base

Drainage Problems

Tree Roots

Concrete is only as stable as what holds it up. Loose, wet, or uneven ground leads to settlement.

Water that pools near or under a slab wears away the support over time.

Roots can lift and crack slabs, especially near edges.

Thin Concrete or Missing Reinforcement

Missing or Poorly Placed Joints

Rushed Finishing or Curing

Age and Wear

A slab too thin for its use will crack under load.

Concrete shrinks as it cures, and without planned joints, cracks form wherever they like.

Mistakes during the pour can show up as surface scaling or early cracking.

Even well-built concrete does not last forever, particularly with heavy traffic.

What Affects the Cost of Concrete Replacement?

There is no one price for tearing out and replacing concrete. Two slabs of the same size can have very different jobs behind them.

Ask for a written scope that separates demolition, base work, and new concrete. A low price that leaves out base correction may bring the same failure back.

Key factors include:

Total area and thickness of the new slab.

Amount and condition of the old concrete to remove.

Reinforcement requirements.

Base correction, regrading, or drainage work.

Site access for equipment and concrete trucks.

Tree root removal or utility obstacles.

Finish type and decorative options.

Permit and inspection costs.

Disposal of demolition debris.

— Surface Finishes

Choosing a Finish for the New Concrete

Replacement is also the best time to change the look.

Broom Finish

Stamped Concrete

Stained or Colored Concrete

Exposed Aggregate

A clean, practical surface with a light texture. The most common choice for driveways, walkways, and any slab that needs reliable traction without added complexity.

Pressed patterns replicate stone, brick, or slate. Stamped concrete delivers a high-end appearance at a fraction of the cost of natural materials.

Integral color or applied stain gives the slab a custom tone that holds up over time. Works well for patios, entries, and pool surrounds.

The top layer is washed away to reveal the stone beneath, adding texture and grip. A strong option for pool decks and any surface where slip resistance matters.

Finish choices should fit the use. A busy driveway, a pool deck, and a front step each call for different surface texture.

— Step by Step

How Our Replacement Process Works

Evaluate the Slab and the Site

We look at the damage, the surrounding ground, drainage, and access. We ask what you want from the replacement, including size, finish, and any layout changes.

Scope and Estimate

You get a written estimate that spells out demolition, hauling, base work, forming, reinforcement, pour, finish, and cleanup. Anything not included is stated up front.

Permits and Utility Checks

Many replacements need a permit, and rules vary by city. We tell you early what likely applies and flag any HOA approvals. Before digging or breaking concrete, underground utility locations should be marked, and we plan around them.

Demolition and Removal

We break up the old concrete in sections, cut and remove any rebar, and haul the debris away. We protect nearby landscaping, structures, and pool features as much as the job allows.

Base Correction

Here is where replacement earns its value. We regrade, add or compact base material, and fix low spots. If the old slab failed because of the ground beneath it, this step addresses it.

Forms, Reinforcement, and Pour

We set forms to the new lines, place reinforcement, and pour. We plan joints to guide cracking and slope the surface for drainage.

Finish and Cure

We apply your chosen finish and protect the concrete while it cures. Sealing can follow at the right time. Learn about concrete sealing .

Walkthrough and Reopening Instructions

We go over the finished work with you and explain when you can walk on it, drive on it, and place furniture back.

Concrete Replacement FAQs

How do I know if I should replace my concrete or just repair it?

Look at stability, extent, and cause. A level, stable slab with narrow cracks or surface wear is often repairable. A slab that has sunk, tilted, or broken apart, or one with failed repairs, usually points to replacement. We inspect the slab and base during your estimate and give you a straight recommendation.

Can you replace just one section instead of the whole slab?

Often, yes, if the surrounding concrete is sound and the failed section can be cut out cleanly along a joint. The new section will not match the old one in color or texture right away. If a uniform look matters, we can discuss staining or resurfacing after the new concrete cures.

How much does concrete replacement cost in Fort Lauderdale?

Cost depends on size, thickness, demolition, base work, finish, and access. Because removal and base correction are part of the job, replacement costs more than pouring on bare ground. Get a written estimate that itemizes those steps so you can compare bids fairly.

How long does a concrete replacement take?

Many jobs take several days of active work, depending on size, demolition, weather, and finish. Curing time comes on top of that, and some surfaces take longer than others before they can carry vehicles. Your estimate should include both the work schedule and the time before full use.

Will the new concrete crack?

Concrete shrinks as it cures, so some cracking can happen even in well-built slabs. Planned joints, reinforcement, a stable base, and good drainage reduce the chance of wide, random cracks. We cannot promise a slab will never crack, and any contractor who does is overpromising.

What happens to the old concrete?

We break it up, load it, and haul it away as part of the project, unless your agreement says otherwise. Any rebar is cut out and removed. Confirm in your written estimate that demolition and disposal are included.

Check other concrete services

Ready to Replace Failed Concrete the Right Way?

If your concrete keeps cracking, sinking, or crumbling, skip another patch and find out what it really needs. Tell us what you have, send a few photos, and we will visit, inspect the base, and give you a clear written plan.