Across the river from New Brunswick, Highland Park is a compact borough with a busy downtown and residential streets shaded by big, mature trees. Most homes date from the early and middle twentieth century: colonials, Tudors, foursquares and capes, many with brick steps, slate or bluestone walks and detached garages at the end of narrow driveways. The setting is charming, and it comes with specific maintenance needs.
Entries with character
Front steps in Highland Park are often brick with bluestone or concrete treads, and they set the tone for the whole house. When the treads crack or the brick starts to loosen, we rebuild the steps on a solid footing and match brick color and bond pattern as closely as we can. Plain concrete steps can be faced in brick or stone veneer so they suit an older facade.
Big trees and lifted walks
Mature street and yard trees are part of what makes the borough attractive, and they are also the main reason front walks heave. Concrete slabs crack and tilt over roots, creating trip edges. Pavers or bluestone on a well prepared base handle this better, because individual pieces can be lifted and reset later instead of tearing out the whole walk.
Repointing brick and chimneys
Many older homes here have brick chimneys, foundation walls or full brick fronts. Signs it is time for tuckpointing:
- joints recessed well behind the brick face
- crumbling or sandy mortar you can scrape out with a key
- cracked chimney crowns or loose brick near the top
- water stains inside along a chimney or exterior wall
We grind out failing joints, repoint with a compatible mortar and rebuild chimney crowns where needed.
Narrow lots, detached garages
Long, narrow driveways leading to detached garages are typical here. Replacing one means planning access for the concrete truck and sometimes pumping concrete to the back of the lot. We also handle garage aprons and short walks to the back door at the same time.
Around Highland Park
We work in neighboring Edison, New Brunswick and Metuchen, and throughout Middlesex County. If your Highland Park steps, walk or brick need work, book a free estimate and we will stop by to assess it.
