Passaic is a small city in area but one of the most built-up places in the county. It lies on flat, low ground along the Passaic River, across from Bergen County, and its blocks are filled with brick apartment buildings, two and three-family houses and older single-family homes on narrow lots. Front stoops come right down to the sidewalk, driveways squeeze between buildings, and backyards are small. Most of the masonry we do here is about keeping heavily used buildings safe, dry and presentable.
Stoops that carry a whole building
On a multi-family house, the front stoop sees traffic from every unit, every day, plus salt all winter. Cracked treads, loose bricks and rusted railing posts are the typical result. We rebuild concrete steps and brick stoops on a solid base and set new railings in sound masonry so they stay tight.
Brick, block and stucco
Older brick buildings in Passaic often need tuckpointing on front walls, parapets and chimneys, where wind-driven rain hits hardest. Many frame and block houses have stucco or parged walls that crack with age. We repair the substrate first, then patch or refinish the surface so it does not crack again in the same spot.
Driveways, sidewalks and yards
Narrow driveways between buildings and public sidewalks out front take a beating from cars, trash day and tree roots. We tear out broken concrete, compact a new base and pour a slab pitched toward the street. Out back, a small concrete or paver yard gives tenants a clean, usable space that is easy to maintain.
Water near the river
Low blocks closer to the river and a high water table mean damp basements are common. We look at grading, gutters and cracks before suggesting basement waterproofing, and flood zone rules may apply to some properties.
Good to know
- City permits. Stoops, sidewalks and aprons may need approval, and a dumpster on the street usually does too.
- Parking. We plan deliveries for blocks with tight street parking.
- Shared walls. Repointing a shared wall or stoop affects the neighbor, so we coordinate.
Passaic borders Clifton, and we cover the rest of Passaic County too. Book a free estimate and we will come see your building.
