Hewitt Masonry LLC, Frenchtown, NJ (2026)

06/15/2026

⚒️ Rear Entry Hardscape Restoration

Today marked the beginning of a complete restoration of this rear entry staircase.

Although the visible movement was obvious from the start, the first day of work was dedicated entirely to careful disassembly and investigation rather than rushing into reconstruction. Every stone was removed methodically, documented, and organized for reuse so the original layout, dimensions, and relationships between each course could be preserved throughout the rebuild.

Once the stair system was opened up, the underlying conditions became much clearer. Years of settlement, migration of bedding material, and gradual movement of the retaining structure had allowed the staircase to shift forward over time. Rather than attempting to force the existing structure back into place, the decision was made to rebuild it from the ground up.

The perimeter has now been carefully excavated and prepared to establish a stable, accurately aligned foundation for the new installation. From this point forward, every course will be built from verified reference points, with close attention paid to grade, alignment, consistent reveals, and long-term structural stability before any finish pieces are reset.

Many restoration projects reach a point where slowing down becomes the fastest way to a successful outcome. Taking the time to fully understand how a structure was built - and more importantly, why it failed - is often the difference between a repair that lasts a few years and one that performs for decades.

The goal isn’t simply to put these stones back where they were.

The goal is to rebuild the entire system so it performs the way it should have from the beginning.

Looking forward to bringing this one back together! 🧱

06/12/2026

⚒️ Bluestone Patio Restoration Complete ✅

The final phase of this restoration focused on applying the finish coat to the remaining cheek wall and blending it into the previously completed section with no transition lines throughout. The wall, returns, risers, and step details were all finished with a smooth sponge texture, creating one continuous finish from end to end.

The deteriorated tread joint was also repointed once the surrounding restoration work had fully cured, helping tie the entire front entry together while addressing an area of previous deterioration.

Finish work like this requires focus, patience, time, and a steady hand. Working in smaller sections allows proper control over material thickness, curing time, and final texture, resulting in a consistent finish throughout the entire project.

The clients are very pleased with the results, and I’m equally happy with how this one came together.

I will follow up with the clients in approximately 30 days for the Siloxane treatment. 💫

06/11/2026

⚒️ First Wall Complete ✅

The finish coat got underway today as the long cheek wall, step risers, and returns were brought into final form.

Working in small sections, the material was applied, trued up, and sponged out to create a smooth, consistent finish from top to bottom. Tight working conditions around the step and bluestone edges made things a little tricky, but taking the time to work each area carefully paid off in the end.

The corner detail was wrapped and completed as well, giving a good look at the contrast between the finished work and the remaining scratch coat that will receive its final coat tomorrow.

With temperatures climbing and humidity through the roof, the decision was made to stop while everything was still moving in the right direction. Finish work demands focus, patience, a steady hand, and time to achieve a consistent result, and there is no substitute for any of them.

One final section remains and will be completed tomorrow morning before final detailing. Cleanup will be the last step once all plaster work is complete. The clients have also requested application of Siloxane water repellent following a full 30-day cure period to help protect the restoration from moisture intrusion and weathering for years to come. ✨

06/10/2026

⚒️ Trued Up

Today’s focus was rebuilding the cheek walls and risers surrounding this bluestone entry.

The deepest voids and deteriorated areas were packed out first, allowing the repairs to establish a solid base before additional material was applied. Once the major washouts were addressed, the walls were gradually brought back into plane, corners were re-established, and the entire assembly was trued up to create consistent lines throughout the entry.

With the overall shape established, the remaining areas were filled and coated to create a continuous scratch coat across the repaired surfaces. The scratch coat was then keyed in preparation for the final finish coat.

A lot of today’s work was about patience. Fill the voids. Let them tighten up. Fill the balance. True the surface. Build the corners. Then key everything for the next phase.

Very happy with how the walls are reading from a distance. Included one final overview photo of the patio as well, which was fully repointed yesterday and has really helped pull the entire entry back together. Looking forward to putting the finishing touches on this one. 🔪

06/09/2026

⚒️ Fresh progress on the bluestone patio restoration in Byram.

Today was all about bringing the stonework back together.

After completing the joint removal and surface preparation, every joint throughout the patio was thoroughly cleaned, prepped, and repointed. Many of the joints were considerably deeper than they appeared from the surface, with a large percentage extending nearly the full thickness of the stone. While that extra depth creates more work, it also provides an excellent foundation for a long-lasting repair.

This particular patio kept me moving all day. Very few long runs, constant changes in direction, and joints of every width and length imaginable. It was a true random-pattern layout, which means every section required a slightly different approach. By the end of the day, every joint had been filled, tooled, cleaned up, and blended back into the field.

The patio already looks dramatically different. The open voids, deteriorated mortar, and shadow lines that once distracted from the stone itself have been replaced with clean, consistent joints that help pull the entire surface together. After a final blow-off and detail cleanup, the bluestone once again becomes the focal point.

The restoration now moves to the risers and cheek walls, where deteriorated parging and surface damage will be addressed to complete the transformation.

🌞 Another beautiful day to be outside doing what I enjoy. Looking forward to the next phase.

06/08/2026

⚒️ Fresh start on a bluestone patio and entry restoration in the Byram community of Stockton, New Jersey.

Fortunately, the bluestone itself remains in generally good condition, but years of weather exposure, moisture infiltration, and freeze/thaw cycling have taken a toll on the mortar joints, cheek walls, and riser surfaces.

The entire patio was scored and opened up joint by joint. Roughly 35–40% of the existing mortar was heavily deteriorated, soft, damp, and breaking apart almost immediately once opened. The remaining material was dry, sandy, and still holding together enough to come out in larger sections, but was clearly nearing the end of its service life.

Overall, separation from the stone edges went very well, requiring only minor touch-up work in a handful of tighter areas. Once the joints were opened, the patio was thoroughly cleaned and pressure washed to remove dust, loose material, and years of accumulated debris. Adjacent work areas and surrounding surfaces were cleaned as well, allowing for a much clearer assessment of existing conditions.

Loose and deteriorated material has also been removed from the cheek walls and riser faces. The next phase will focus on final surface preparation, repointing the patio, and rebuilding the surrounding masonry.

After opening everything up, it became clear that the patio remains well locked together overall. While the mortar system had clearly deteriorated over time, there was very little movement within the bluestone itself, which is always encouraging when approaching a restoration project of this nature.

All in all, it was a fantastic day to work outdoors. Mostly sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and steady progress from start to finish.

Looking forward to bringing this one back to life. 💥

06/08/2026

Tomorrow’s work starts tonight.

Ready for the next project.

06/02/2026

⚒️ Concrete Entryway Restoration Complete ✅

This concrete entryway had reached the point where surface patching alone was no longer an appropriate solution. Multiple areas had failed, voids had developed behind the repairs, sections had become detached from the substrate, and years of weather exposure had left the surface uneven and deteriorated.

The first stage of the project focused on exposing the full extent of the damage, removing loose material, opening deteriorated areas, and rebuilding the affected sections. Deep voids were packed and stabilized, damaged risers were restored, and the overall profile of the entryway was brought back into plane.

With the structural repairs complete, the restoration shifted to surface rehabilitation. Multiple coats were applied across the entire entryway to unify the repaired areas, improve consistency, eliminate minor surface defects, and restore a clean, durable finish throughout.

The finished result reflects the cumulative effect of each step in the process. The repairs are no longer individual patches competing for attention. The entryway once again reads as a single, cohesive structure.

The before photos tell the story. 🌟

06/01/2026

⚒️ From Repair to Restoration ⚒️

Back at the concrete entryway today to begin the first full resurfacing coat.

With the structural repairs already completed, today’s focus shifted to unifying the entire entry into one consistent surface. The landing, treads, risers, cheek wall, and repaired areas all received a full brush applied coat of Sakrete Top ’N Bond.

The direct sun made moisture control especially important. The concrete was carefully pre-dampened throughout the process to control absorption, improve workability, and allow the material to bond properly without drying too quickly on contact.

As the coat was applied, exposed aggregate, small surface voids, and minor irregularities were corrected along the way. The goal was not to erase every sign of age, but to create a clean, durable, and visually consistent surface that still belongs with the existing structure.

This first coat is now complete and curing. Tomorrow’s work will focus on a second pass to further refine the surface, improve uniformity, and bring the entire entryway together as a finished system.

A good restoration is built in layers. Each stage matters, and today was a major step toward the final result. 🖌️

05/29/2026

⚒️ What Lies Beneath ⚒️

Another productive day in the sun. Started at 8:00 this morning and wrapped up around 3:30 this afternoon. Sunny skies, a steady breeze, and comfortable temperatures made for an excellent day to focus on detail work. 🌞

Today’s work focused on repairing deteriorated sections throughout this concrete entryway. Once the damaged areas were opened up, several large hidden voids were discovered beneath the upper riser, along with failed previous repairs and long term deterioration that had not been visible from the surface.

All loose and failed material was removed until solid substrate was reached. The entire staircase was then pressure washed to remove years of dirt, staining, moss, and organic growth, which dramatically improved the appearance of the concrete and clarified the remaining repair needs.

Deep cavities beneath the upper riser were packed and rebuilt using Type S mortar, with brick incorporated as backing material inside larger voids where needed. These repairs were brought back into plane and left with a rough scratch coat to provide mechanical bond for the next stage.

Top ’N Bond was then used for the remaining surface repairs, including major cracks, the cheek wall, and deteriorated sections along the lower riser where the damage did not require deeper Type S reconstruction. These areas were shaped and blended to establish a consistent foundation for the final finish.

The next stage will be a brush applied Top ’N Bond resurfacing coat to unify the appearance, fill minor weathered voids, reduce surface imperfections, and create a fresh, durable protective finish across the restored areas.

The work progressed smoothly, and the homeowner was very gracious, which is always appreciated.

Some of the most important progress on a restoration project is rarely the most visible. Careful preparation, sound repairs, and attention to underlying conditions create the foundation for everything that follows. 💥

Hewitt Masonry LLC

06/15/2026

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category