Question 1

Do I need a permit to replace my driveway or sidewalk in Irvington?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Like most Essex County municipalities, Irvington requires permits from the township DPW before driveway aprons, curb cuts, or sidewalk panels in the public right-of-way are replaced or newly constructed. The apron — the section of your driveway between your property line and the street — must be built to township specifications and is subject to inspection. Roca handles the permit application and builds to code so you do not have to navigate that process alone.

Question 2

Why do driveways and walkways in Irvington keep cracking after only a few years?

Accepted Answer

The two main causes are inadequate subbase depth and poor drainage. Irvington sits on Essex County clay soils that hold water instead of draining it freely. That moisture freezes each winter, expands, and pushes pavement upward — frost heave. When the ground thaws, the surface settles unevenly, leaving cracks and soft spots. Driveways installed without a proper compacted aggregate base have almost no resistance to this process. We excavate to proper depth, compact the subgrade, and build a 4- to 6-inch DGA base before any asphalt or concrete goes down — that is what produces a surface that holds up for 20 years in New Jersey conditions.

Question 3

Water pools in my backyard or against my foundation in Irvington — can Roca help?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Drainage problems are one of the most common calls we get from Irvington, given the township's history with internal drainage issues. Depending on what we find on-site, solutions range from regrading the surface to direct runoff away from the foundation, to installing a French drain or perforated pipe trench, to building a retaining wall that redirects water flow and stabilizes a sloped section of yard. We assess drainage as part of every free estimate — the fix we recommend is based on the specific grade and soil conditions on your property.

Question 4

The brick and mortar on my older Irvington home is deteriorating. What should I expect from a repointing job?

Accepted Answer

A proper repointing job starts with grinding failed mortar out of the joints to a depth of at least three-quarters of an inch — not just scratching the surface. Then the replacement mortar has to be matched to the original masonry. Irvington has a large inventory of early-20th-century brick, and that brick is often softer than modern material. If you apply a hard, modern Portland-cement mortar to it, the mortar becomes stronger than the brick itself and the brick face begins to spall as the wall flexes with temperature changes. We assess the existing mortar and select the right formulation before we start. Done correctly, a repointing job should last 20 to 30 years.