Serving Chester & Morris County
Asphalt, pavers and concrete for driveways, patios, walkways and parking areas in Chester, NJ, built on a properly compacted base.
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 paving services in Chester, NJ, including asphalt and blacktop driveways, interlocking pavers, concrete, patios, walkways and parking lots, plus repairs and sealcoating. We’re family-owned, licensed and insured, with 30+ years of experience in Morris County.
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. Whatever you’re paving in Chester, the result depends on what’s underneath: excavation to stable ground, a compacted stone base, and drainage that moves water away from your home.
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.
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 seeWater ponds near the garage door, along the edges or in tire ruts long after the rain stops.
Why it happensThe driveway was graded flat or sloped the wrong way, or the base has settled in spots. Standing water seeps into cracks and accelerates every other kind of damage.
How we fix itSmall birdbaths can sometimes be corrected with an infrared or hot-mix leveling patch. Where the overall pitch is wrong, the surface has to come out so the base can be regraded, sometimes with a trench drain or dry well added.
How to prevent itPitch matters most at installation. Ask any contractor exactly where water will go before they pave.
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 seeSlabs have dropped at one end, creating a step or a puddle.
Why it happensBase washout, poor compaction or erosion under the slab.
How we fix itWe remove and repour on a compacted base, correcting drainage.
How to prevent itKeep water from running under slabs.
Long, sloped driveways are the norm in Chester. We crown and pitch them to shed water, add swales or culverts where runoff crosses the drive, and often recommend Belgian block edging to stop the asphalt edges from washing out.
For Chester’s long driveways and private lanes we focus on compaction, drainage and heavier asphalt where trucks, oil deliveries and plows travel.
Every Chester quote lists the excavation depth, base depth and finished thickness in writing so you can compare contractors fairly.
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.
| Surface | Why choose it | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt / blacktop | Best value; handles plowing and salt | Sealcoat every 2–3 years |
| Interlocking pavers | Premium curb appeal; easy repairs | Re-sand joints occasionally |
| Concrete | Clean, bright, long-lasting | Seal periodically; avoid harsh de-icers |
| Bluestone / natural stone | Classic look for patios and walks | Repoint or reset occasionally |
Main Street shops, farms and small businesses in Chester use us for parking area paving, repairs and sealcoating. For homeowners, see residential paving, and for businesses see commercial paving.
Plan with confidence
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
It depends on size, the condition of the existing surface, how much excavation and base is needed, access and the material. We give free written quotes after a short site visit.
Yes. We pave driveways, patios and walkways for Chester homeowners and parking lots and access drives for local businesses.
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.
Spring through late fall, when asphalt plants are open and ground temperatures are above roughly 40–50°F. Book early, because spring and fall fill up quickly.
No. Bagged cold patch is a temporary fix. A permanent repair is saw-cut, excavated, rebuilt with compacted stone and filled with hot-mix asphalt.
No. Every 2–3 years is right for most driveways. Sealing too often builds up a film that can crack and peel.
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
