Wood-Ridge is a small borough in southern Bergen County, and its name describes it well. Much of the town sits on high ground that drops toward the Meadowlands to the east and the lower land toward the Passaic River to the west. The housing is a mix of capes, colonials and two-family homes, many from the first half of the twentieth century, with some newer construction in town as well. On the slopes, front yards rise to the house and backyards fall away, and that grade change shapes most projects here.
Turning a slope into usable space
A backyard that drops several feet from the back door is hard to use. A raised terrace on a retaining wall gives you a level outdoor space right off the house, with steps down to the lawn. We build the wall on a compacted base with drainage stone and a pipe behind it, then finish the terrace in pavers or stamped concrete.
Front steps on raised lots
Homes that sit above the sidewalk need longer step runs, sometimes with a landing midway. Older sets in town are often cracked concrete or loose brick. We rebuild them as concrete steps with brick or stone faces, bluestone treads and railings fixed into solid masonry.
Driveways with a grade
Sloped driveways crack more readily and shed water quickly, sometimes straight into the garage. When we replace them, we pay attention to:
- the angle where the drive meets the street, so cars do not bottom out
- a trench drain or pitch change at the garage
- a thicker base on the steepest section
- a textured finish for better traction in winter
On the flatter, lower edges of the borough, the issues change from slope to drainage. There we focus on pitching driveways and walks away from foundations and checking basements for seepage after heavy rain.
Old walls and block work
Many older lots have walls along the sidewalk or between neighbors that have shifted over time. Rebuilding them with proper footings is part of our masonry construction and repair work. Taller walls may need borough approval and engineering.
Wood-Ridge neighbors Hasbrouck Heights and Carlstadt, and is part of our Bergen County service area. Schedule a free estimate and we will look at the grade with you.
