Somerville is a small, busy borough at the center of Somerset County and its county seat. Around the downtown, the neighborhoods are made up of older single family homes, twins and small multifamily houses, many built in the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s. Lots are narrow, front yards are short and most homes have steps that lead almost directly to the sidewalk. That is where a lot of our Somerville work begins.
Rebuilding steps and stoops
Concrete steps on older homes take a beating from salt, snow shovels and decades of freeze and thaw. When they start cracking at the treads or separating from the house, it is time to rebuild. We build new concrete steps on footings below the frost line, then finish them in brick, stone veneer or plain concrete with bluestone treads. New aluminum or steel railings go into solid masonry so they stay firm. On short front yards we design the steps to fit the space and still keep comfortable treads.
Brick, block and garage walls
Older brick homes, chimneys and detached garages in the borough need periodic repointing. Our tuckpointing work replaces worn joints with a mortar suited to the brick. We also repair block walls, rebuild brick piers and fix cracked or loose masonry around porches and entries.
Walks, driveways and side yards
Narrow side driveways and walks along the house are common in town. When they slope toward the foundation, they send water straight into the basement. We tear out failing concrete, correct the grade and pour new walks and driveways, or lay pavers along the side yard and at the back door. A short paver landing at the back steps is a small job that makes a big difference on a tight lot.
Wet basements in an older borough
Somerville sits near the Raritan, and older foundations in town can let water in after heavy storms. Before recommending anything, we look at gutters, grading and hard surfaces around the house. Many problems are solved by redirecting water. When that is not enough, we offer basement waterproofing and foundation crack repair.
Quick checklist
- Borough approval. Steps, sidewalk work and driveway aprons may need a permit.
- Tight access. Narrow lots and street parking take planning for deliveries and dumpsters.
- Shared driveways. If you share a driveway, talk with your neighbor about timing before work starts.
Somerville is one of the core towns we serve in Somerset County, next door to Bridgewater and Raritan. When your steps or brick need work, request a free estimate and we will come out to look.
