New Jersey paving & masonry contractor
Brick, block and stone masonry, from retaining walls and steps to repairs and repointing, by a family crew with 30+ years of experience.
Three decades paving NJ properties
Fully licensed NJ contractor
Owner-led, hands-on projects
Written, no-obligation quotes
Overview
Quick answer
Old Irish Paving & Masonry provides brick, block and stone masonry throughout New Jersey: retaining walls, stoops and steps, seat walls, pillars, Belgian block curbing, stucco, foundation wall repairs and repointing. We build on proper footings, manage drainage behind walls, and match existing materials on repair work.
Good masonry is about what’s behind the face: footings below frost depth, drainage stone and weep holes behind retaining walls, the right mortar for the brick or stone, and joints that shed water. Get those right and masonry lasts generations. Get them wrong and New Jersey’s freeze-thaw cycles will find the weak points.
Key facts
Problems we solve
Most calls we get start with a problem, not a project. Here are the issues New Jersey homeowners and property managers bring to us most often, what causes them, and how we fix them for good.
What you seeSandy, recessed or missing mortar between bricks or stones.
Why it happensAge, water and freeze-thaw. Mortar is meant to wear before the brick does, but eventually it needs renewing.
How we fix itWe rake out the deteriorated mortar to the proper depth and repoint with a mortar matched in strength and color to the original.
How to prevent itRepoint every few decades, and keep gutters and sprinklers from soaking masonry.
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.
What you seeA growing gap between the stoop and the foundation, often with water getting in.
Why it happensThe stoop was built without a footing below frost depth, or the soil underneath has eroded, so it settles independently of the house.
How we fix itThis usually means a rebuild: demolish, pour a proper footing, build a solid core and finish in brick, stone or pavers.
How to prevent itFootings below frost depth and good drainage at the base prevent separation.
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.
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.
Retaining walls fail because of water pressure, not the weight of the soil alone. We excavate a solid base, install compacted base stone, set the first course perfectly level, backfill with clean drainage stone, install perforated drain pipe at the base, and use geogrid reinforcement for taller walls. Read: why quality retaining wall construction matters.
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.
Find local masonry pages for Bridgewater, Chester, Clinton, Flemington, Flanders, Bernardsville, Martinsville, Middlesex, Whitehouse Station, Branchburg, Hazlet, Keansburg, Middletown, Edison and Long Valley.
| You see | Usually means | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Recessed, sandy mortar | Weathered joints | Repointing |
| Brick faces flaking | Water and freeze damage | Replace bricks, fix the water source |
| Leaning wall or pillar | Footing or drainage problem | Rebuild on a proper footing |
| White staining | Moisture moving through masonry | Clean and stop the water |
Plan with confidence
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring | Look for new cracks and missing mortar. |
| Summer | The best season for repointing. |
| Fall | Repair before freeze-up. |
| Winter | Keep snow piles off masonry. |
Reviews
★★★★★
My sister hired Old Irish for cellar stairs and basement wall work. They arrived early, never left until 5 or after, and always cleaned up. They also told her about leakage inside her foundation and did a great job fixing it.
— Connie B., Google review
★★★★★
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
FAQ
Water getting into the joints and freezing, combined with age, are the most common causes. Using a mortar that’s too hard for older soft brick can also damage the brick. Repointing with the correct mortar fixes it.
Many towns require permits or engineering for walls above a certain height (often around 3–4 feet) or near property lines. We’ll check before quoting.
We source reclaimed or closely matching materials and match mortar color and joint style so repairs blend in.
When mortar joints are recessed, sandy or missing. Repointing with compatible mortar protects the brick and stops water getting in.
Efflorescence: salts carried to the surface by moisture. Clean it, then find and stop the water source.
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.
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.
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
