The Jambalaya Capital of the World, 10 feet above sea level
Concrete Contractors in Gonzales, LA
Driveways, patios, walks and slabs for older homes near downtown and newer neighborhoods across the city.
- Free measuring visit at your property
- Written quote with each line priced
- Grade and drainage planned before forms go in
Concrete Work in Gonzales
Gonzales sits only about 10 feet above sea level, so concrete contractors in Gonzales spend as much time on drainage as on finish. The city grew from 7,003 people in 1990 to 12,231 at the 2020 census, and that growth has added a lot of new driveways and patios to go with the older concrete near the center of town. We pour driveways, patios, stamped concrete, sidewalks and steps and slabs, and we repair or replace concrete that has failed.
From a general store to a city
Gonzales takes its name from Joseph "Tee-Joe" Gonzales, who opened a general store and post office in May 1887. The village incorporated in 1922 with him as its first mayor, Governor Earl K. Long proclaimed it a town in 1952, and the legislature chartered it as a city in 1977. The Jambalaya Festival started in 1968, and the town has carried the Jambalaya Capital of the World title ever since. The older blocks near downtown have narrower lots and older slabs; the newer neighborhoods have wider driveways and bigger patios.
Weather that tests concrete
In September 2008, Hurricane Gustav brought sustained winds of more than 80 miles per hour to Gonzales, with gusts over 100. Downed trees and heavy equipment during cleanup cracked plenty of driveways. More routinely, heavy summer rain on low ground means water that sits on a slab or pools at its edge. On a 10-foot elevation, there is no hill to carry it away. We set the grade so every slab sheds water toward the street or a drain, and we compact the base in layers so it does not soften when the ground stays wet for days.
What the city permits
The City of Gonzales says permits are required for building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, pools, fences, signs and portable buildings larger than 200 square feet. That last one matters if you want a slab for a storage building: a pad for a building over 200 square feet goes with a permitted structure. The city also has a proposed elevation certificate form for new construction. We confirm with the city's building office what applies before we pour.
Older blocks near downtown
The streets closest to the center of Gonzales have the oldest concrete in the city: narrow single drives, carport slabs and front walks poured decades ago, often on little or no base. When we replace them, we usually widen the drive where the lot allows, add a compacted base and set new joints. On the newer side of town, the work is more often a patio extension or a stamped walk.
Timing a pour around the weather
Summer pours in Gonzales go early in the morning, before heat and afternoon storms. We watch the forecast closely and reschedule if a downpour is likely before the surface can be finished and protected.
What we pour in Gonzales
- Driveways: replacements, widening and new aprons, including culvert crossings
- Patios: backyard slabs, extensions and pads for outdoor kitchens
- Stamped concrete: patterned and colored patios and walks
- Sidewalks and steps: front walks, stoops and side paths
- Slabs: pads for storage buildings and detached garages, permitted where required
- Repairs: sunken panels, storm-cracked sections and failed steps
Call (225) 239-2979 to book a visit anywhere in Gonzales.
Gonzales Facts and Permit Notes
- Low elevation. Gonzales sits at about 10 feet above sea level in Ascension Parish.
- Growth. Population rose from 7,003 in 1990 to 12,231 at the 2020 census.
- Building permits. The city requires permits for fences, pools and portable buildings larger than 200 square feet.
- Gustav. Hurricane Gustav brought sustained winds over 80 mph with gusts over 100 mph in September 2008.
Our Services in Gonzales, LA
Gonzales Questions
Do I need a permit for a storage building slab in Gonzales?
The city requires permits for portable buildings larger than 200 square feet, so a pad for a building that size usually goes with a permitted structure. We check before we schedule.
How do you keep a driveway from flooding the garage on a low lot?
We set the slope so water runs to the street or a drain, sometimes adding a slight crown or a trench drain at the garage door. Getting the base compacted properly also keeps the slab from sinking and creating a low spot.
Can you replace concrete cracked by a fallen tree?
Yes. We saw-cut the damaged area, remove it, repair the base and pour new concrete tied into the remaining slab.
What happens if it rains right after you pour?
We schedule around the forecast and keep plastic on hand to cover fresh concrete. A light rain after the surface is finished does little harm; a heavy downpour on fresh concrete can mar the finish, so we reschedule when storms are likely.
Free Estimates in Gonzales, LA
Tell us what you need poured or replaced in Gonzales, and we will schedule a free estimate.
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