Residential concrete in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish wraps around New Orleans on both sides of the Mississippi. The East Bank holds Metairie, Kenner, Harahan and River Ridge; the West Bank includes Gretna, Harvey, Marrero, Terrytown and Westwego. Much of it grew quickly in the decades after the Second World War, on land that was drained from swamp and marsh. That history shows up in the concrete: sunken driveways, cracked patios and yards that have slowly dropped away from houses on pilings. This page explains what to watch for across the parish and how it should shape a quote.
Postwar suburbs on drained ground
Metairie and Kenner filled in the land between the river and Lake Pontchartrain with long blocks of ranch houses, split-levels and, later, larger two-story homes. Some of that ground lies along old ridges, such as the one Metairie Road follows, and is firmer. Much of it was low swamp that was drained, and the soft clays and organic layers beneath it shrank and continue to settle.
On the West Bank, neighborhoods near the river tend to sit on higher ground, while newer subdivisions extend back toward the wetlands on softer soil. Across both banks, it is common to find lots that have been built up with fill over the years, which adds another layer of uneven settlement for a new slab to cope with.
Pile-supported homes and dropping yards
Many homes built in the parish from the later twentieth century onward rest on driven pilings. Over time, the ground around them sinks while the house stays put. Owners see it as a gap under the edge of the slab, a step at the garage threshold that keeps growing, exposed piling caps or a driveway that tilts toward the house.
When replacing a driveway or patio beside a pile-supported house, the contractor has to decide how to meet a fixed building with a slab that will keep moving. Isolation joints, careful attention to the base, and a plan for the gap that opens at the house are the key points. Some homeowners also ask about filling voids under the house perimeter, which is a separate conversation worth having.
Wide driveways, garages and backyard slabs
Suburban lots in Metairie, Kenner and River Ridge often have two-car garages, wide driveways and room for a patio, a pool deck or a detached shed. Many owners also keep a boat on a trailer, given how close the lake and the marshes are. Those uses call for thicker sections where heavy trailers park and a base built to spread the load on soft ground.
Driveway replacements are common here because of settlement, and many owners take the chance to widen the drive, add a parking pad or change the layout. Ask how any extension will be tied to the existing slab or garage floor so the sections stay level.
Canals, ditches and heavy rain
Jefferson Parish relies on a network of drainage canals and pumping stations to move rainwater. During a heavy summer storm, streets can fill briefly while the system catches up. On the West Bank, some neighborhoods still have open roadside ditches. A driveway apron that crosses a ditch or connects to a curb and gutter needs to be planned with that in mind.
Work at the street, including aprons, curb cuts and anything that crosses a ditch or culvert, may require approval. Rules differ between the unincorporated parish and cities such as Kenner, Gretna, Harahan and Westwego, so call whichever office owns the road in front of your house, and ask your HOA as well if one governs the neighborhood.
After a hurricane or a long wet season
Storms that stall over the parish can leave yards soaked for days, and saturated soil gives slabs less support. Owners often notice new cracks, a patio edge that has dropped or a walk that now rocks after a wet stretch. Some of that movement stops once the ground dries again; some reveals a void that was already forming.
If you spot a change after a storm, photograph it and watch it for a few weeks before deciding what to do. A contractor can then see whether the damage is stable, whether water is still reaching the base, and whether a lift, a partial replacement or a drainage change is the sensible next step.
What to look for on a Jefferson Parish quote
- A plan for how the slab meets a house on pilings or a raised slab, including isolation joints.
- Removal of soft soil and old fill, and the depth and compaction of the new base.
- Thicker sections where boats, trailers or trucks park.
- A fall that carries rain off to the curb or an inlet, away from the garage door and the lot next door.
- Details for the apron, curb or ditch crossing, and who arranges approval.
- Removal and hauling of the old concrete.
Communities across both banks
On the East Bank, requests often come from Metairie, Old Metairie, Bucktown, Kenner, Harahan, River Ridge, Elmwood and Jefferson. On the West Bank, common locations include Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego, Estelle and Avondale. The ground and the housing stock vary block by block, so the contractor's visit matters more than the ZIP code.
What homeowners here ask most
Why is there a gap under my patio next to the house?
If your house rests on pilings, it holds its height while the soil around it settles. The patio, sitting on that soil, drops with it, leaving a gap under the edge nearest the house. Water flowing into that gap can make it worse. A contractor can advise whether lifting, filling the void or replacing the patio with a better base makes more sense.
Can my Metairie driveway be widened for a boat trailer?
Often it can. The new section should be built for the weight of the boat and trailer, which usually means a thicker slab and a strong compacted base, especially on soft ground. It should be tied to the existing driveway so the two stay level. Check with your city or parish and HOA about any limits on driveway width or parking pads before you plan.
Do I need approval for a new apron over a roadside ditch?
Work that crosses a ditch, culvert or curb often involves approval, because it affects public drainage and the right-of-way. The requirements differ between the unincorporated parish and incorporated cities. Contact the office that maintains your street before the work is scheduled, and ask the contractor who will handle the application and any inspection that might be required.
Is it worth lifting a sunken driveway in Kenner?
It can be, if the slab is still in large, intact pieces and has settled fairly evenly. Lifting with foam or grout fills voids and raises the concrete, but it does not stop soft ground from continuing to settle, so another lift may be needed in future years. A contractor can inspect the slab and explain whether lifting or replacement is the better choice.
Why do West Bank slabs seem to settle unevenly?
Much of the West Bank combines higher ground near the river with softer, lower land farther back, and many lots have been filled over the years. A slab that sits partly on firmer soil and partly on fill or soft clay will settle more on one side than the other. Careful excavation and a well-compacted base reduce the difference, though they cannot remove it entirely.
Should my new driveway slope toward the street?
In most cases water should drain away from the house and garage, and toward the street or a drain is the usual choice. On very flat lots a slight crown or cross slope may work better. The key is that water leaves the slab quickly and does not flow toward the garage, the house or a neighbor. Ask the contractor to explain the planned fall.
Talk through your project
Start with the address, what you want poured or replaced, rough dimensions, and a few photos of the area and any existing concrete.
The work, by type
Concrete Driveways
New drives, widening and replacement on ground that settles.
Concrete Patios
Backyard slabs with enough fall to shed a summer downpour.
Stamped & Decorative Concrete
Pattern, color and exposed aggregate that suit a humid climate.
Walkways & Steps
Front walks and steps that meet raised porches cleanly.
Garage, Shed & RV Slabs
Pads for garages, sheds, boats and campers on soft soil.
Concrete Repair & Replacement
Choosing between patching, lifting and tearing out a sunken slab.