Moonachie is a small borough in the Meadowlands of southern Bergen County, close to Little Ferry, Carlstadt and Teterboro. It is very flat and sits barely above the surrounding marsh, which is why it was among the hardest hit towns when Hurricane Sandy pushed water into the area in 2012. Housing is mostly modest single family homes and two-families on small lots, and since that storm a number of homes have been raised or rebuilt. Every masonry or concrete project here starts with one question: where will the water go?
Raised homes and longer steps
When a house is lifted, the front door ends up well above the old stoop. The new steps need to climb farther in the same small front yard. We plan these carefully, sometimes turning the run sideways or adding a landing, and pour them on a footing deep enough for the soft ground. Our concrete steps can be finished in plain concrete or faced in brick or stone veneer.
Foundations on wet ground
High groundwater puts steady pressure on basement and crawlspace walls. Cracks that would be harmless on dry ground can let water in here. We repair cracks, rebuild damaged sections and seal walls, and our foundation and waterproofing work looks at the outside of the house too, including grading and where downspouts empty.
Walks and patios that shed water
On flat land, there is no natural slope to carry runoff away. Every new walkway and patio has to create its own. We set a steady pitch away from the house and toward the street or a drainage area. Stamped concrete, broom finished concrete and pavers all work if the base and pitch are right.
Before you plan
- Ask whether your lot is in a mapped flood zone, since flood zone rules may apply to new surfaces and grading.
- Keep new slabs from blocking existing foundation vents on raised homes.
- Expect a deeper stone base than you would need in the hills up north.
In the neighborhood
We also serve Little Ferry, Carlstadt and the rest of Bergen County. Ask for a free estimate and we will look at drainage, steps and foundation together.
