Milford is a small borough on the Delaware River in western Hunterdon County, linked by bridge to Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania. The town sits on a narrow strip of land between the river and the hills rising behind it, with Holland Township wrapping around it inland. Its homes are mostly older: frame and stone houses from the 1800s and early 1900s on small lots, many with stone foundations and stucco or parged walls below the siding.
Between river groundwater above and hillside runoff from behind, water is the main thing Milford masonry has to fight.
Stone foundations
Many Milford houses stand on fieldstone or rubble foundations. As lime mortar washes out, joints open, stones loosen and cellars stay damp. Our foundation repair work includes repointing, resetting and rebuilding stone sections, plus new footings where a porch or addition needs support. We use mortar compatible with old stone, since hard cement mortar can make the problem worse.
Keeping water out
Being close to the Delaware means high groundwater in wet seasons, and homes built against the hill collect runoff on the uphill side. We fix grading and downspouts first, then add basement waterproofing such as interior drains and sumps where water still gets in. On lots in mapped flood areas, extra rules can shape what is allowed.
Steps and entries
Old concrete and stone steps on Milford homes settle and crack with every winter. We rebuild them on footings below frost and face them in stone veneer or brick with bluestone treads, which suits the older houses on the borough’s streets.
Parging and stucco
Below the siding, many foundations wear a coat of parging or stucco that has cracked and fallen away. We remove the loose material, repair the masonry underneath and apply a new breathable finish. Our stucco services cover full wall refinishing too.
Things we plan for in Milford
- Small lots. Staging and deliveries take careful planning.
- River water. Groundwater and flood rules vary by street.
- Old stone. Mortar and stone are matched to the original.
- Hillside runoff. Uphill drainage gets fixed along with the wall.
Downriver, we also serve Frenchtown, and next door is Holland Township. See our Hunterdon County area, or book a free estimate for your foundation or steps.
