Serving Chester & Morris County
Stoops, steps, retaining walls, brick and stone work, Belgian block and masonry repairs for Chester, NJ homes and businesses.
Three decades paving NJ properties
Fully licensed NJ contractor
Owner-led, hands-on projects
Written, no-obligation quotes
Chester, NJ
Quick answer
Old Irish Paving & Masonry provides masonry services in Chester, NJ: front stoops and steps, retaining walls, brick and stone walls, pillars, Belgian block curbing, stucco and parging, and repointing and repairs. We build on proper footings with drainage behind walls, and we match existing materials on repairs.
Sloped Chester properties need retaining walls, and we build a lot of them in natural stone and segmental block, along with bluestone steps, stone-veneer stoops and walls that suit the area’s rural character.
Chester homes range from historic houses near Main Street to large custom homes on multi-acre lots in the township, many with long private driveways. Masonry in New Jersey has to survive freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salt, so we focus on footings below frost depth, the right mortar for the brick or stone, and details that shed water.
Key facts
Problems we solve
These are the issues we’re called about most in Chester and nearby Morris County: some are specific to local soils, terrain and housing, others are common across New Jersey.
What you seeRuts, gullies and exposed stone after heavy storms on long driveways.
Why it happensHillside runoff crossing or running down the drive with no swale or culvert.
How we fix itWe crown the drive, cut drainage swales, add culvert pipes where water crosses, and pave on a heavier base.
How to prevent itClear culverts and swales every spring and fall.
What you seeRock appears just below the surface when excavating for walls, patios or driveways.
Why it happensChester sits on rocky, glacially shaped ground with shallow bedrock in places.
How we fix itWe plan grades to work with the rock where possible and use proper equipment where removal is necessary, pricing it transparently.
How to prevent itAsk for rock clauses in any quote so there are no surprises.
What you seeA back yard too steep for a patio, play area or lawn.
Why it happensNatural hillside terrain.
How we fix itTerraced retaining walls in natural stone or block create level areas, with steps connecting each level.
How to prevent itDesign drainage behind every wall from day one.
What you seePeople trip on the top or bottom step.
Why it happensSteps settled or were built with inconsistent riser heights.
How we fix itWe rebuild with uniform risers and treads, a proper landing at the door, and railings where needed.
How to prevent itConsistent steps are a safety issue, not just a cosmetic one.
What you seeBrick faces popping off, exposing the softer inside.
Why it happensWater trapped in the brick freezing, often made worse by hard cement mortar or sealers that don’t let brick breathe.
How we fix itDamaged bricks are cut out and replaced with matching units, and the joints are repointed with compatible mortar.
How to prevent itAvoid sealing brick with non-breathable products, and fix water sources.
What you seeThe wall tilts forward or bulges in the middle, and blocks have shifted.
Why it happensWater pressure behind the wall with no drainage stone or drain pipe, a poor base, or no geogrid on a taller wall.
How we fix itUsually the section has to be taken down, the base rebuilt, drainage stone and a perforated drain added, geogrid installed where needed, and the wall rebuilt.
How to prevent itDrainage behind the wall is the single most important detail.
Loose caps, a few cracked bricks and worn mortar joints can usually be repaired by repointing and resetting. If a stoop is pulling away from the house, a wall is leaning, or water has gotten inside the structure and is freezing, a rebuild on a proper footing is the lasting fix. We’ll show you what we see and quote both options when it’s close.
Chester’s hilly, rocky terrain means steep driveways, ledge rock close to the surface and plenty of runoff, so grading, drainage and a heavy stone base are essential. On sloped Chester properties, a well-built retaining wall creates usable yard space and stops erosion. We design for drainage first, because water behind a wall causes most failures, and build with segmental block or natural stone to suit your home.
Plan with confidence
Reviews
★★★★★
Last fall the Old Irish Paving crew repaired our front slate porch and our paver walkway and they did a great job! They came back to complete a minor repair and we are very happy. We are considering using them again for another project.
— Kathleen N., Google review
★★★★★
Wow! What an amazing paving & masonry company. This family-owned company is so knowledgeable and professional. The team gave our home such a clean and upgraded look.
— John Q., Google review
★★★★★
We just had our driveway and front walkway paved and outlined in Belgian block by Old Irish. The company handled the project with very good expertise and experience. The crew was hardworking and went the extra mile, ensuring we were satisfied with the project details from start to finish.
— James M., Google review
FAQ
Yes. We repoint mortar joints, replace damaged brick, reset loose caps and stones, and match materials and mortar color as closely as possible.
Many towns, including in Morris County, require permits for stoop replacement, railings and retaining walls over a certain height. We’ll check Chester’s requirements during your estimate.
Yes. Long and steep driveways are common in Chester. We grade and crown them for drainage, use a heavier compacted base and add swales, culverts or Belgian block edging where water would otherwise wash out the edges.
Typically 3–6 working days including demolition, footing, masonry and finishing.
Water gets under the tread, freezes and breaks the mortar bed. Resetting on a fresh bed with a slight forward pitch and good joints solves it.
When mortar joints are recessed, sandy or missing. Repointing with compatible mortar protects the brick and stops water getting in.
Free, no-obligation quote
Tell us about your driveway, patio, steps or masonry project. Tom or a member of the family will call you back promptly to book a free on-site visit and a written quote.
Prefer to talk? (908) 992-2345
