Union City sits high on the Palisades ridge in northern Hudson County, and it is often cited as one of the most densely populated cities in the United States. Blocks are packed with brick walk-ups, three and four-story multi-family buildings and attached homes, many with storefronts on the ground floor. Buildings sit tight to the sidewalk and to each other, and most were put up long ago, so masonry maintenance here is mostly about facades, walls and the concrete right out front.
Brick walls and facades
Brick on older walk-ups wears in predictable places: mortar joints facing the weather, parapets and cornices at the roofline, and brick around windows where lintels have rusted or cracked. Left alone, those joints let water into the wall, and freeze-thaw does the rest. Tuckpointing and repointing restores the joints. Where brick has loosened, cracked or bulged, our masonry repair crew takes the section down and rebuilds it with matching brick.
Stucco and side walls
Plenty of Union City buildings have stucco or parged block on their side and rear walls, sometimes over brick. Cracked or hollow-sounding stucco is a sign that water is getting behind it. We remove loose material, repair the wall underneath and refinish it so it sheds water again. On narrow lots, side walls are often only reachable from the neighbor’s property, so we plan access ahead of time.
Stoops, steps and sidewalks
Entry steps on multi-family buildings handle dozens of trips a day. We rebuild cracked and uneven steps, replace railings and pour new landings. The sidewalk out front is another frequent item, since lifted or broken squares create trip hazards. We cut out damaged sections and pour new concrete to the city’s standards. When the slab is sound but worn, resurfacing can be a quicker option.
Rear stairs and areaways also need attention. Many buildings have concrete steps down to a basement entrance or a rear yard, and those areas collect water and debris. Rebuilding cracked steps and making sure the areaway drain works keeps water from finding its way into the basement.
Planning work in Union City
- Scaffolding and street use. Facade work and dumpsters may need city permits for the sidewalk or street.
- Residents and shops. We keep entrances open and schedule noisy work to limit disruption.
- Access from next door. Lot-line walls often require cooperation from the adjoining owner.
- Look up. Parapets and cornices are where water usually gets in first, so we inspect the top of the wall, not just the bottom.
Union City is part of our Hudson County service area, close to Hoboken and Jersey City. Book a free estimate and we will come assess your building.
