Serving Branchburg & Somerset County
Stoops, steps, retaining walls, brick and stone work, Belgian block and masonry repairs for Branchburg, NJ homes and businesses.
Three decades paving NJ properties
Fully licensed NJ contractor
Owner-led, hands-on projects
Written, no-obligation quotes
Branchburg, NJ
Quick answer
Old Irish Paving & Masonry provides masonry services in Branchburg, 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.
Front stoops, paver walkways, retaining walls and patio seat walls make up most of our Branchburg masonry work.
Branchburg has 1970s–2000s colonials and split-levels on good-sized lots, plus farms and the historic villages of North Branch and Neshanic Station. 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 Branchburg and nearby Somerset County: some are specific to local soils, terrain and housing, others are common across New Jersey.
What you seeFamilies outgrowing original two-car drives.
Why it happens1970s–90s layouts.
How we fix itWidening, parking pads and Belgian block borders.
How to prevent itCheck township rules before widening.
What you seeSoggy edges, standing water and patios that settle.
Why it happensLow-lying land near the North and South Branches of the Raritan.
How we fix itDeeper base, fabric and drainage improvements.
How to prevent itMaintain grading and gutters.
What you seeTruck-route potholes, faded striping and ponding.
Why it happensHeavy truck traffic.
How we fix itFull-depth patching, thicker sections, overlays and striping.
How to prevent itScheduled maintenance plans.
What you seeBluestone or brick treads rock when stepped on, and caps have popped off.
Why it happensFailed mortar bed, water freezing beneath the tread, and salt damage.
How we fix itWe lift the treads, clean and rebuild the mortar bed, reset them level with a slight forward pitch, and repoint the joints.
How to prevent itRepoint failing joints early and pitch treads so water runs off.
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 seeMud stains and soil pouring through the joints after rain.
Why it happensNo filter fabric or drainage aggregate behind the wall.
How we fix itWe rebuild with clean drainage stone wrapped in filter fabric so water passes through and soil stays put.
How to prevent itNever backfill a wall with clay.
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.
Our process
Tom or a family member walks the property, measures, checks drainage and talks through materials and budget.
You get a clear, itemised quote covering excavation, base depth, materials, finish and clean-up. No pressure.
Our own crew excavates, builds the compacted base and installs the surface using quality materials.
We clean up, walk the finished job with you, explain aftercare and stand behind the work.
Gently rolling land near the North and South Branches of the Raritan River can hold water, so grading and base depth matter. Retaining walls fail from water pressure behind them, so every wall we build gets a compacted base, a level first course, clean drainage stone behind the wall, a perforated drain at the base and geogrid reinforcement on taller walls. Read why quality wall construction matters.
Plan with confidence
Reviews
★★★★★
I met with the owner Thomas, who gave me ideas and choices for the look I was trying to envision. The crew tore up my old cracked concrete patio and sidewalk and installed gorgeous new pavers. They did the work promptly and professionally and cleaned up well after the jobsite.
— Dawn G., Google review
★★★★★
Last month they did my backyard stoop, patio and walkway, and added a french drain to a sump pit in the yard. They did an amazing job! I highly recommend them for any paving and masonry work. Tom and crew are a pleasure to deal with.
— Bill P., Google review
★★★★★
Tom, his son, and their crew replaced our front walkway and steps and repaired a foundation wall on our home. They were here on time every morning and cleaned up before they left for the day. The quality of their work is outstanding.
— Kate L., 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 Somerset County, require permits for stoop replacement, railings and retaining walls over a certain height. We’ll check Branchburg’s requirements during your estimate.
Yes. We work throughout Branchburg Township, including North Branch and Neshanic Station, and in neighboring Bridgewater, Somerville and Readington.
Typically 3–6 working days including demolition, footing, masonry and finishing.
Almost always water pressure behind the wall with inadequate drainage, or a poor base. The section usually needs rebuilding with drainage stone, a drain pipe and geogrid.
Usually not permanently. The separation means the stoop has no proper footing. Rebuilding on a footing below frost depth is the lasting fix.
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
