Residential concrete across Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans share the same boundary, and within it the ground changes more than most visitors would guess. Older neighborhoods near the river sit on the natural levee, the highest land in town. Lakeview, Gentilly and much of New Orleans East were built on drained swamp and marsh that sits lower and keeps settling. Add narrow lots, raised houses, old oaks and one of the rainiest climates in the country, and residential concrete here asks for careful planning. This page explains what changes from one part of the parish to the next.
High ground by the river, low ground toward the lake
The Mississippi built the oldest parts of the city. When the river flooded before the levees, it dropped its coarsest sediment right beside the channel, forming a ridge of firmer, better-drained silt and sand. The French Quarter, the Marigny, the Garden District, Uptown along St. Charles and Carrollton sit largely on that ground. Older ridges, such as the one Esplanade Avenue and Gentilly Boulevard follow, are remnants of former river channels.
Between those ridges and Lake Pontchartrain lay cypress swamp and marsh. Draining it in the twentieth century opened neighborhoods such as Lakeview, Broadmoor, Gentilly and New Orleans East, but the soft clays and organic soils there shrank as they dried out, and much of that land now sits below sea level. Concrete poured on that ground tends to settle more, and more unevenly, than slabs on the river ridge.
Raised houses and slabs that settle beside them
Walk any older block and you will see shotgun doubles, camelbacks and raised cottages standing on brick piers. Many newer homes in the lakefront and eastern neighborhoods rest on pilings. In both cases, the house tends to hold its height while the yard, walks and driveways drift down with the soil. The telltale signs are a front stoop pulling away from the porch, a driveway that has dropped at the garage and gaps under patio edges.
A contractor working here should plan for that difference: isolation joints where concrete meets the house, a well-compacted base, and details that keep water from running into gaps. Ask how the new work will meet your house and what will happen as the ground keeps moving over the years.
Tight lots, alleys and access for the truck
Many parcels in the older parts of the city are narrow and deep, with houses built close to the property line and little or no side yard. A back-yard patio or shed slab can mean hauling concrete through a gate, across a neighbor's driveway with permission, or pumping it over a fence. Street parking, overhead lines and big trees add to the puzzle.
Those constraints change how the work is done and how long it takes, so a contractor needs to see them in person. When you send photos, include the route from the street to the work area and anything that might block a truck or a pump line.
Oaks, sidewalks and the public right-of-way
The live oaks lining avenues and neutral grounds are part of the city's character, and their roots lift sidewalks, driveway aprons and front walks all over town. Replacing lifted concrete without a plan for the roots usually leads to the same ledge a few years later, and cutting big roots can harm a tree that may be protected or valued by the neighborhood.
The sidewalk and driveway apron in front of a house often lie in the public right-of-way. Before replacing either, check with the city about what approval is needed. Much of the older city also lies within historic districts, where exterior changes can require review, so ask the city and any neighborhood review body before the work is scheduled.
Heavy rain and street flooding
Summer thunderstorms can drop more water than the drainage system moves right away, and many streets briefly flood. Concrete on a low lot should be planned to shed water quickly toward a place it can go, not toward a raised house's crawl space or into a neighbor's yard. Driveways on flat blocks often need a slight crown or a clear fall toward the street.
Downspouts discharging onto walks and patios, and yards that have been filled higher than the concrete beside them, are common causes of standing water. Mention any spots that stay wet for days after rain so the contractor can plan the grades around them.
Neighborhoods across the parish
- Uptown, the Garden District and Carrollton: older homes on firmer river-ridge ground, tight access, historic character.
- Mid-City, Treme and Bayou St. John: raised houses, narrow lots and a mix of higher and lower ground.
- Gentilly and Lakeview: land drained from former swamp, many slab and pier homes, and ongoing settlement.
- New Orleans East: newer subdivisions on low, soft ground, often with larger driveways and garages.
- Bywater and the Marigny: old narrow lots near the river with courtyard and side-yard patios.
- Algiers on the West Bank: a mix of older blocks near the river and suburban streets farther out.
What homeowners here ask most
Why does my Lakeview driveway sink when the house does not?
Many homes in Lakeview and similar neighborhoods rest on pilings that reach deeper, firmer soil, while the driveway sits on the soft, drained swamp soils near the surface. Those soils keep consolidating, so the slab slowly drops while the house holds its height. A contractor can check whether the slab can be lifted or whether the base under it needs to be rebuilt.
Do I need city approval to replace my front sidewalk?
Often some approval is involved, because the sidewalk and apron in front of many houses lie in the public right-of-way, and parts of the city fall within historic districts that review exterior changes. The requirements are for the city and any review body to state. Contact them before scheduling the work, and ask the contractor who will handle the paperwork.
Can concrete be poured in a back yard with no side access?
Usually, yes. Options include pumping concrete through a hose over a fence or down a gangway, carrying it in by wheelbarrow, or getting permission to cross a neighbor's property. Each method affects time and scheduling. Share photos of the path from the street to the work area so the contractor can plan the approach before the visit.
Is concrete near the river more stable than near the lake?
In general, ground on the natural levee near the river is firmer and drains better than the drained swamp and marsh closer to the lake, so slabs there tend to settle less. There are many exceptions, including old fill, buried debris and filled-in ditches. A contractor still needs to see the specific lot, because conditions can change a great deal within one block.
What can be done about oak roots lifting my walkway?
Common approaches include rerouting the walk away from the trunk, leaving more space around the root zone, or using a design that spans roots rather than cutting them. Cutting large roots can harm the tree and may need permission if the tree is on public land. Ask an arborist for advice, and check with the city if the tree or walk is on the right-of-way.
How do I keep a courtyard patio from flooding?
Courtyards are often enclosed by walls and buildings, so water has fewer ways out. The slab needs a steady fall toward a drain or an outlet, and that drain needs somewhere to discharge. Downspouts should be piped away from the paving. A contractor can look at the courtyard during a heavy rain or from your photos and suggest a layout that keeps water moving.
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.