Morristown is the county seat and a town with deep colonial roots, with a walkable downtown around the Green and neighborhoods of Victorian, colonial revival and early twentieth century houses spreading out from it. Many of these homes, and the brick commercial and apartment buildings near the center, still have their original masonry. That history is part of the appeal, and it also means the brick, stone and steps need knowledgeable upkeep.
Repointing old brick without damaging it
Mortar joints are meant to wear out before the brick does. When they open up, water gets in and freezes, and faces start to spall. On older walls, the fix is careful tuckpointing and repointing: joints raked out to a proper depth, then filled with a mortar that is no harder than the brick and matched in color. We avoid grinding that widens joints or chips the edges.
Restoring original details
Older houses and buildings in town often have stone sills, brick arches, decorative cornices and porch piers that cannot simply be replaced with something off the shelf. Our historic masonry restoration work repairs these features in place, resets loose stones, and replaces damaged units with matching brick or stone. Where an old stucco coat is failing, we repair it to match the original texture.
Chimneys get similar care. We rebuild crowns, repoint and rebuild from the roofline when needed.
Steps and walks for in-town homes
Many Morristown houses sit close to the street with a short front walk and a set of brick or stone steps. When steps settle or the treads crack, we rebuild them on a solid footing with brick or stone risers and bluestone treads, or in poured concrete steps for a simpler look. A new walk to the sidewalk finishes the job.
Multi-family and mixed use buildings
Close to the center of town, many older buildings hold apartments or offices. Their masonry faces the same problems as a house, on a larger scale: open joints on tall walls, cracked lintels over windows and loose brick at parapets. We plan the work in stages, protect entrances and storefronts, and keep tenants informed of which side of the building we are working on each day.
What to plan for
- Review and permits. Historic districts and the town building department may both be involved, so allow time in your schedule.
- Downtown logistics. Buildings near the center may need permission for staging, scaffolding or a dumpster on the street.
- Season. Restoration mortars cure best in mild weather, so spring through fall is ideal.
Morristown sits at the center of our Morris County service area, close to Parsippany and many other towns. When you want an expert eye on your brick or steps, set up a free estimate.
