Concrete Masonry in Somerset, NJ
Concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks and steps — poured, finished and jointed right. Serving Somerset homeowners — owner-led by Manasses Ribeiro, NJ HIC #13VH10566200.
Concrete Masonry for Somerset homes
Somerset, in Franklin Township, sits on Piedmont clay and shale. That soil is the reason so many local patios heave, and the reason we start every job with the base.
Built for Somerset ground
Clay is common in Somerset. It holds water and swells when it freezes — the main reason older driveways and patios here heave and crack. For concrete masonry, we excavate below the soft layer, replace it with a compacted stone base and pitch the surface so water runs off instead of soaking in at the edges.
Read more about our work in Somerset, NJ.
Concrete masonry is the core of what we do — it’s in our name. A good concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio looks clean for years. A bad one cracks across the middle, sinks by the garage or flakes after the first winter. The difference is in the preparation and finishing, not the truck.
What we pour
- Concrete driveways — full replacements, two-car widths, long runs to a detached garage, with or without a paver border.
- Sidewalks and front walks — street sidewalks to the town’s spec, side-yard walks and front entries.
- Patios and pool decks — broom-finished slabs pitched away from the house and the water, or concrete with paver bands.
- Steps and landings — formed and finished to consistent riser heights.
How we do concrete right
- Base. Soft soil out, stone base in, compacted. Concrete on a soft base settles and cracks.
- Grade and pitch. Forms set so water runs off — away from the foundation and toward the street or a drain.
- Joints. Control joints at planned spacing so the slab cracks where we want it to.
- Finish and cure. A broom finish for traction, and clear instructions to protect the surface while it cures.
Concrete plus pavers
Some of our best-looking work combines both: a concrete driveway with a charcoal paver border, or a concrete patio divided by paver bands. You get the cost of concrete with the look of a custom hardscape.
Concrete Masonry we've built
Real photos from our own jobs in Central New Jersey — the same crew and standards we bring to Somerset.
Concrete Masonry in Somerset: common questions
Why does concrete crack, and can you prevent it?
Concrete shrinks as it cures and moves with temperature, so some cracking is normal. Control joints tell it where to crack — in a straight line inside the joint instead of across the slab. A compacted base and proper drainage prevent the bigger problem — settling and heaving.
What concrete work do you do?
Driveways, sidewalks, front walks, patios, pool decks, steps and slabs. We also combine concrete with pavers — like a concrete driveway with a paver border, or a concrete patio with paver bands.
How long before I can walk or drive on new concrete?
Foot traffic comes well before cars, and concrete needs the longest cure of any paving material. We give you the exact timing for your job and weather.
Should new concrete be sealed?
For driveways and walks that see de-icing salt, sealing helps. We'll explain the options at the walkthrough.
Why do patios in Somerset heave?
The dense clay common in the area holds water, and water that freezes expands. A patio on a thin base over clay moves every winter. We excavate deeper, build a compacted stone base and make sure water has somewhere to go.
Is Somerset its own town?
Somerset is a community within Franklin Township, Somerset County. Franklin Township's rules apply for permits.
Planning a concrete masonry project in Somerset?
Call or text Manasses for a free, written estimate. Send a photo of your yard and we'll tell you what makes sense before anyone visits.