Green Brook is a township tucked between the foot of the Watchung Mountains and the flat land along Route 22. The southern part of town is level, with postwar ranches, split levels and capes on modest lots, and some streets near the Green Brook itself have dealt with high water during big storms. North of the highway the ground climbs quickly up the first ridge, and the homes there sit on wooded, sloped lots where every driveway and patio has to deal with grade. Two homes a mile apart can need completely different solutions.
Hillside lots and retaining walls
On the ridge, flat ground is precious. A well built retaining wall turns a steep side yard into a usable terrace, holds back a bank above the driveway or gives a walkway a safe, level path. We use segmental block or natural stone on a compacted base, with gravel and drain pipe behind the wall so water pressure does not push it over. Rocky subsoil is common up there, so we plan excavation with that in mind.
Steps that climb the grade
Front walks on sloped lots often end in a long flight of steps. When old concrete steps crack or tilt, we rebuild them as poured concrete steps faced in stone or brick, or as block steps built into a wall, with railings anchored into solid masonry.
Flat lots near the brook
In the lower part of town, the priority is keeping water away from the house. Patios and walks are set to drain away from foundations, driveways are pitched to the street, and we look at downspouts before adding anything new. If the basement already takes on water, basement waterproofing may need to come first.
Green Brook planning checklist
- Flood maps. Lots close to the brook may fall in a flood hazard area with extra rules.
- Wall height. Taller walls can need engineering and a township permit.
- Driveway access. Steep drives limit where trucks can park, so we plan deliveries carefully.
Our crews also work in neighboring Watchung and North Plainfield, and across all of Somerset County. For a wall, steps or patio, get a free estimate and we will look at the slope with you.
