Matawan is a small borough near the Raritan Bay with a historic downtown, older homes on the streets around it and mid-century neighborhoods beyond. Unlike the flat bayshore towns nearby, a lot of Matawan has real grade, with streets that rise and fall around the creek. Many houses sit above the sidewalk with a run of steps, a retaining wall or both. That terrain is the main thing shaping masonry work here.
Steps that climb a grade
On a sloped lot, front steps are often taller and longer than in a flat town, and a failing set is a real safety issue. We rebuild concrete steps on footings that reach solid ground, add landings so the climb is broken into comfortable sections, and install railings on both sides where the rise calls for it. Finishes range from brick with bluestone treads to clean poured concrete.
Retaining walls that hold the yard in place
Older railroad tie walls and dry laid stone walls are common here, and many are tipping or bulging. A new retaining wall needs a compacted base, drainage stone and a pipe behind it so water does not build pressure against the face. Steps can be built right into the wall, which saves space on a narrow front yard.
Older brick near the center of town
Homes closer to downtown often have brick foundations, chimneys and porches that are decades old. Worn mortar lets water in, and freeze and thaw does the rest. Repointing with a compatible mortar and rebuilding loose chimney tops keeps the original work in place instead of replacing it.
Things to check on a sloped lot
- Where water goes now during a heavy rain, and where it will go after.
- Whether the wall height or location needs borough approval.
- How material will reach a backyard that sits above or below the street.
- Whether basement dampness is tied to the same grading problem.
We work across the bayshore, including Aberdeen, Keyport and all of Monmouth County.
Is a wall leaning or a set of steps getting hard to climb? Request a free estimate and we will come look at the grade with you.
