Concrete Removal and Recycling in Kansas City

Concrete is one of the heaviest materials leaving a demolition site, and it is also one of the most recyclable. Whether you are removing a driveway, a warehouse slab or part of a parking deck, a few basics will help you plan.

How concrete removal works

• Breaking: Excavators with hydraulic breakers or crushers fracture slabs and footings into manageable pieces.
• Saw cutting: For selective removal, such as opening a slab for new plumbing, saw cutting gives clean edges and protects the concrete you are keeping.
• Sorting: Rebar and mesh are separated from the concrete. Metal is typically recycled, and cleaner concrete is easier to process.
• Hauling: Broken concrete is loaded and trucked to a recycling facility or disposal site.

Recycling basics

Recycling facilities generally crush clean concrete into aggregate used for road base and fill. Each facility sets its own acceptance rules, often wanting concrete free of trash, soil and certain contaminants. Their requirements and fees vary, so a good contractor will check with the facility they plan to use.

What affects a concrete job in Kansas City

• Thickness and reinforcement. Industrial slabs in older warehouse districts can be heavily reinforced.
• Access for equipment and trucks, including alleys and tight yards.
• Whether buried utilities must first be located through Missouri 811.
• Contamination, such as oil staining or mixed trash.
• Site conditions near the Missouri River, where stormwater and runoff controls may apply.
• Haul distance and facility fees.

Questions to ask a contractor

• Where will the concrete go, and can you provide weight tickets or recycling documentation?
• How will rebar and other metals be handled?
• Who is responsible for utility locates and permits?
• What condition will the area be left in after removal?

Kansas City Demolition Co provides concrete removal and hauling for residential, commercial and development sites. Call (714) 333-0178 to talk through your project.