Wood deck removal
Deck demolition starts at the top. We remove railings and decking boards first, then the joists and beams, and finally the posts and footings. Taking it apart in that order keeps the work safe and makes the wood easier to load and sort.
Many LA decks were built off the back of the house or out over a slope. Where a deck connects to the house, we remove the ledger carefully so the wall behind it is left in good condition for repair or new siding. On sloped lots, we mark off the area below and work from stable ground.
Concrete patio removal
Concrete patios are broken out with jackhammers or a skid steer breaker depending on size and access. If the patio meets a walkway, driveway or foundation you are keeping, we saw-cut a clean line first. The concrete is loaded separately so it can be recycled.
Flagstone, brick and paver patios
Stone and brick patios vary a lot in how they were built. Pieces set in sand lift out fairly easily. Pieces mortared to a concrete slab mean breaking both the stone and the base. We check which kind you have at the estimate, so the scope and schedule are accurate from the start.
What deck and patio demolition includes
Scope is confirmed on site, but most jobs cover the following.
- Removal of railings, stairs, decking, joists and beams
- Removal of posts and concrete footings
- Breakout of concrete, flagstone, brick or paver patios
- Removal of attached pergolas or patio covers if requested
- Separation of wood, concrete, stone and metal for recycling
- Haul-off in our own dump trucks and trailers
- Raking or rough grading of the area
Raised decks, stairs and second-story balconies
Some decks sit a full story above the yard, with long stairs and tall posts. These take more planning than a low deck. We remove decking and railings from the top while keeping the frame stable, then lower joists and beams in sections. Posts are cut down and the footings broken out last. The area underneath stays marked off for the whole job.
If a balcony or upper deck is tied into the house framing, your contractor should confirm how the connection will be handled before we start, so the house is ready for repair or a new deck.
Safe, marked-off work areas
Back yards are where kids play and pets roam. During deck and patio demolition we mark the area with caution tape, keep tools and debris contained and clear loose nails and screws at the end of each day. When we finish, the area is raked and clean.
Getting ready for a new deck or patio
Most deck and patio demolition is the first step toward something new. If your contractor needs the ground at a certain level, or a section of soil removed for a new base, let us know. We can rough grade the area with a skid steer while we are there, which saves a separate trip and keeps your project moving.
