Washington Borough is the older town at the center of Washington Township, with a downtown, tree lined residential streets and a lot of homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Houses here sit fairly close to the sidewalk and to each other, many with front porches, concrete or brick steps and narrow driveways along the side. That layout shapes most of the work we do in town.
Front steps and porches
The front entry is usually the first project. Concrete steps on older homes crack, settle and pull away from the porch, and the porch base itself may have shifted. We remove failing steps and build new concrete steps on footings below frost depth, finished in plain concrete, brick, stone veneer or block with bluestone treads. Where the porch is part of the problem, we rebuild the masonry piers or base and can take on porch framing and roofing so the whole entry is done at once. Matching the height of the new top step to the porch floor and the door threshold matters more than most people expect, and it is much easier to get right when both are built together.
Side driveways and walkways
Long, narrow driveways that run beside the house are typical here. Over time they crack from tree roots, heave from frost and slope toward the foundation. We tear out the old surface, correct the grade and pour a new driveway in concrete or asphalt, or lay pavers. A new walkway from the driveway to the front or back door often goes in at the same time. Paver borders along the edges or a paver apron at the street are simple ways to give a plain driveway a finished look without paving the entire length in pavers.
Brick, block and foundation repair
Older brick houses, garages and chimneys in the borough need periodic repointing. We replace failing mortar with a mix suited to the brick. Below grade, stone and block foundations can crack or leak where water sits against them. We repair the wall, rebuild loose sections and improve grading and downspouts.
Planning tips for the borough
- Permits. The borough building department may require a permit for steps, porch work and driveway aprons.
- Sidewalk rules. Work that touches the public sidewalk can have separate requirements.
- Neighbors. Lots are close, so we plan staging and cleanup to keep shared driveways and walks clear.
- Bundle the work. Steps, walks and the driveway often make sense as one project, with one set of grades.
Washington is one of the towns we cover across Warren County, along with nearby Hackettstown. To plan your steps, porch or driveway, request a free estimate and we will come take measurements.
