Paterson grew up around the Great Falls of the Passaic River and the mills that ran on them, and a lot of its housing dates from those industrial decades. Streets are lined with brick and frame two and three-family houses, rowhouse blocks and small apartment buildings, many sitting close together with little space between. That age and density shape the masonry work this city needs most.
Brick walls and facades
Old brick holds up well until the mortar gives out. On many Paterson buildings, joints have eroded, bricks have loosened around windows and doors, and water has started working into the wall. Tuckpointing and repointing replaces the failed mortar before the damage spreads. Where bricks are cracked or a section has bulged, our masonry construction and repair work rebuilds it with matching material and a mortar that is compatible with older brick.
Stoops, rear steps and sidewalks
Front stoops on multi-family homes see heavy daily traffic. Cracked treads, loose railings and steps that have dropped away from the building are common in older neighborhoods. We rebuild them on a solid footing in concrete or brick, often with bluestone treads, and pour a matching walkway to the sidewalk. Rear steps and landings get the same treatment, since they tend to be overlooked until they become unsafe.
Foundations, stucco and water
Low areas of the city near the river have a long history of flooding, and wet basements are a frequent complaint even well away from the water. We look at grading, downspouts and foundation cracks before recommending anything. Many cracks can be sealed with targeted crack repair, while chronic seepage may call for full waterproofing.
Stucco and parged walls are also common on Paterson houses. When stucco cracks or comes loose, water gets behind it and the damage grows. We patch, refinish or replace stucco so the wall sheds water again.
Small rear yards are worth mentioning as well. Behind many Paterson multi-family houses is a strip of cracked concrete or bare dirt. A simple poured slab or paver patio with a proper pitch gives tenants or owners a clean, usable space and keeps water away from the back foundation wall.
A few notes before work begins
- Tenants and access. On occupied buildings we schedule work so entrances stay usable and noisy tasks happen at reasonable hours.
- City approvals. Stoops and sidewalks often fall under city rules. We confirm requirements with the building department.
- Fix the cause first. Repointing a wall that is still soaked from a broken gutter wastes money. We point out the source of the water before we start.
Paterson is one of many Passaic County cities we serve, along with neighboring Totowa and Clifton. To get a contractor out to your building, book a free estimate.
