The Town of Clinton is a compact Hunterdon County town where the South Branch of the Raritan River runs through the center. It is a separate municipality from the larger Clinton Township around it. The town has a historic downtown, older homes on smaller lots and streets that rise away from the river. Stone and brick are part of the local character, and the ground has enough slope to keep retaining walls and steps in steady demand.
Stone steps and garden walls
Homes built on rising ground need steps that are safe in all seasons and look at home on an older property. We build stone and bluestone steps with stacked stone risers, set on footings below frost so they stay level. Low garden walls and terraces in natural stone hold back soil and create planting beds. Our stone masonry work is matched to the stone already on the house or in the yard.
Taller grades call for a structural retaining wall, built with a compacted base, drainage stone and an outlet behind it. Without that, water pressure eventually pushes a wall out of line. For lower garden walls, a dry laid stone wall can be a good fit on an older property, since it flexes slightly with the ground rather than cracking.
Repointing brick and stone
Older brick and stone homes in town need fresh mortar every few decades. Open joints let water in and freezing pushes stones loose. We cut out the failing mortar, repoint with a mix suited to the material and reset any loose units. On painted or stuccoed walls, we look at what is underneath before choosing a repair, since coatings can hide cracked or loose masonry. Chimneys get the same care, along with new crowns where the old ones have cracked.
Foundations near the river
Homes close to the river and in lower parts of town can deal with high groundwater and wet basements. Stone and block foundations may let water through washed out joints or cracks. We repair and repoint the walls, rebuild failing sections and pair that with grading and drainage improvements so less water reaches the foundation in the first place.
Points to settle first
- Which Clinton. Permits run through the town for addresses in the Town of Clinton and through the township for Clinton Township.
- Historic review. Exterior changes in historic areas may need approval.
- Flood zones. Properties near the river may have extra rules for work in mapped flood areas.
- Access. Small lots and narrow driveways shape how we bring in stone and equipment.
We serve Clinton as part of our regular work in Hunterdon County, along with the county seat of Flemington. To plan steps, walls or repairs, book a free estimate and we will come see the site.
