Harrison sits in a bend of the Passaic River directly across from downtown Newark, next to Kearny and East Newark. For most of its history it was a factory town, and its residential streets are still lined with the housing that came with that era: two and three-family frame homes, some brick, and modest single-family houses on narrow lots. The waterfront side of town has been rebuilt with new apartment buildings, but the older blocks look much as they always have. The land is flat and low, and the river is never far away.
Front steps and porch slabs
Concrete steps and porch slabs are standard on Harrison two-families, and after decades they crack, settle and pull away from the house. A tilting slab can send water straight at the foundation. We replace concrete steps and porch slabs on a new base, pitched to drain, and add railings that meet code. When a porch roof or framing has also failed, we can rebuild that as part of the same job.
Walks, driveways and yards
Front walks, narrow side driveways and concrete backyards all wear out on older lots. Our concrete services cover tearing out broken slabs, rebuilding the base and pouring new surfaces with control joints and the right slope. A clean new walk from the sidewalk to the steps changes how the whole front of the house looks.
Basements in a river town
Low ground and a high water table make damp basements one of the most common problems in Harrison. We start by checking gutters, downspouts and the grade around the house, then the foundation itself. Single leaking cracks can be sealed with crack repair. When seepage comes through several walls or the floor joint, basement waterproofing with interior drainage is usually the lasting answer. Flood zone rules may apply on some lots.
Planning notes
- Permits. Steps, slabs and sidewalk work can need town approval.
- Tenants. On rental two-families we keep an entrance open while work is under way.
- Water first. Fixing grading and downspouts makes every other repair last longer.
Harrison borders East Newark and Kearny in western Hudson County. Book a free estimate for your steps, walks or basement.
