New Jersey paving & masonry contractor
Fix sunken pavers, loose bluestone, crumbling joints and cracked concrete, or replace a worn-out patio with one built the right way.
Three decades paving NJ properties
Fully licensed NJ contractor
Owner-led, hands-on projects
Written, no-obligation quotes
Overview
Quick answer
Most patio problems (sunken or uneven pavers, wobbly flagstones, crumbling mortar joints, weeds, and water pooling against the house) come from a weak base or poor drainage. Old Irish Paving & Masonry fixes the cause by lifting the surface, rebuilding and compacting the base, correcting the pitch and resetting or replacing the material. If repair isn’t worth it, we build a new patio.
A trip hazard on the patio is more than an eyesore. Uneven pavers and loose stones are a real safety risk for kids and older relatives, and water draining toward the house can end up in your basement. The good news is that many patios can be repaired for much less than replacement.
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 seeThe table barely fits, chairs fall off the edge, and there’s no room for a grill or fire pit.
Why it happensPatios are often sized to the house or to a budget rather than to how the family actually uses them.
How we fix itWe extend in matching or complementary materials, add a second zone with steps, or redesign with seat walls to add seating without crowding.
How to prevent itSize for use: about 12×12 ft for a six-person dining set, plus room for walking and a grill.
What you seeGaps opening up between pavers, borders drifting into the lawn, cut pieces loosening.
Why it happensMissing or failed edge restraint. Without it, traffic pushes the paver field outward.
How we fix itWe reset the border on a compacted base and install a proper concrete or spiked edge restraint, then re-tighten and re-sand the field.
How to prevent itEdge restraint is non-negotiable on every paver job. Ask how it will be installed.
What you seeCracks, heaved slabs and a dated look.
Why it happensAge, freeze-thaw, roots and a slab poured without a proper base or joints.
How we fix itReplace it with pavers or bluestone on a compacted base, or overlay a structurally sound slab with pavers or stone if door heights allow.
How to prevent itChoose materials that can be repaired piece by piece.
What you seeChalky white film (efflorescence), oil spots, rust marks or dull color.
Why it happensEfflorescence is natural salts migrating out of concrete pavers. Oil and rust come from cars, fertilizer and furniture, and UV fades color over time.
How we fix itWe clean with the correct product for each stain, then optionally apply a sealer to enhance color and make future cleaning easier.
How to prevent itWipe up oil quickly, keep fertilizer off pavers, and seal if you want a richer, easier-to-clean surface.
What you seeThe patio is too hot to walk on barefoot, or slick when wet.
Why it happensDark materials absorb heat, and smooth finishes lose grip, especially around pools.
How we fix itWe recommend lighter, textured pavers or thermal-finished bluestone around pools and high-sun areas.
How to prevent itChoose finish and color for the location, not just the look in a catalog.
What you seeSections of pavers have lifted, often near the house or where water collects.
Why it happensWater in a poorly draining base freezing and expanding. Frost-susceptible soils make it worse.
How we fix itWe rebuild the base with free-draining stone, correct the pitch and address the water source (downspouts, grading).
How to prevent itProper base material and drainage prevent heaving. This is the most important detail on any paver job.
If the problems are limited to an area, or the base is generally sound, repairs are cost-effective. If the whole patio has settled, was built on bare soil, or is pitched toward your foundation, replacement with a properly built new patio is better value. See our Middletown story: patio repair and restoration.
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.
Plan with confidence
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring | Sweep, refill joints, and check for loose stones or settling. |
| Summer | Enjoy it. Clean grill grease promptly. |
| Fall | Remove leaves and protect furniture. |
| Winter | Avoid metal shovels on stone, and use gentle ice melt. |
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
Often, yes. Many paver lines are still made. If the exact color is discontinued, we can rework borders or sections so the repair looks intentional.
Backfill next to foundations often settles for years after a home is built. We excavate and compact that area properly when rebuilding.
Small cracks can be patched, but they usually stay visible. Overlaying a sound slab with pavers or bluestone is a popular upgrade.
The patio was built flat or has settled near the foundation. Rebuilding with a pitch of about 1/8–1/4 inch per foot away from the house fixes it.
Yes. We extend patios in matching or complementary materials, or add a second level with steps or a seat wall.
Usually a thin or poorly compacted base, or water undermining it. The fix is to lift the pavers, rebuild the base in compacted lifts and reset them.
Clean the joints and refill with polymeric sand, which hardens when misted. Keep joints topped up and swept.
Usually, yes. Sound pavers are lifted, cleaned and reset on the rebuilt base.
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
