Wharton is a small borough in western Morris County, next to Dover and Mine Hill. It grew up as an iron mining and canal town, and the Morris Canal once passed through it. Today it is a tight knit residential borough with many older homes: late nineteenth and early twentieth century houses, small multi family buildings and postwar capes on small lots. The streets climb and dip, the soil is rocky, and much of the masonry in town has been in place for generations.
Mortar joints first
Older brick and stone houses tend to lose their mortar long before the masonry units fail. Look for sandy joints, gaps you can fit a coin into, and white staining. Tuckpointing cuts out the old mortar and refills the joints with a compatible mix, which keeps water from working into the wall. We repoint chimneys, foundations, garden walls and steps.
Steps and stoops on sloped streets
On Wharton’s hillier streets, houses often sit above the sidewalk with a run of steps up to the door. We rebuild failing stairs as concrete steps on proper footings and finish them in brick or stone with bluestone treads, then add railings. Side and rear stoops on older houses get the same care.
Walls along the front
Many homes have a low wall where the yard meets the sidewalk. Old block, brick or stone walls lean as frost and roots push on them. We rebuild them with drainage behind, and can face them in stone or brick with a railing on top where the drop calls for it.
Foundations and cracks
Older foundations in stone, block or brick can crack and let in water. Our crack repair service seals the openings, and we look at grading and gutters so less water reaches the wall.
Quick tips
- Photograph cracks with a coin for scale and check them each season.
- Keep downspouts discharging away from the foundation.
- Do not wait on loose bricks near a door or stair.
Nearby
Wharton borders Dover and Mine Hill, and is part of our Morris County coverage. Schedule your free estimate and we will take a look at the brick, steps or foundation.
