Masonry
Chimney, concrete, pavers, stonework, and retaining walls — repair, rebuild, and new construction.
Masonry is one of the oldest trades we practice — and one of the most unforgiving if done poorly. NextGen HIG's masons and concrete crews handle the full range of hard-surface exterior work across NJ, PA, and CT: chimneys, concrete driveways, paver driveways and patios, walkways, retaining walls, and stonework.
We repoint failing joints with the correct mortar type (not just grey bag mix), rebuild chimneys from the roofline up, pour concrete driveways with proper base and jointing, install paver and stone patios to ICPI-spec base, and build retaining walls with the drainage and reinforcement that keeps them standing for decades.
For historic homes especially, the mortar and material matter as much as the work itself. We use lime-based or Type N/O mixes where appropriate, source matching brick and stone from salvage and specialty suppliers, and avoid hard modern Type S mortar that cracks surrounding masonry.
Whether you're rebuilding a leaking chimney, replacing a failing driveway, adding a paver patio, or terracing a sloped yard with retaining walls, we handle the project end-to-end — from permits and engineering to final cleanup.
Every masonry project includes
Chimney Repair & Rebuild
Crown replacement, cap installation, flashing, repointing, and full rebuilds from the roofline up.
Concrete Driveways
New concrete driveways and replacements with compacted base, reinforcement, and sealed finish.
Paver Installation
Interlocking concrete, clay brick, and natural stone pavers for driveways, walkways, and patios.
Walkways & Patios
Poured concrete, stamped concrete, flagstone, bluestone, and paver patios and walkways.
Retaining Walls
Block, stone, boulder, and engineered retaining walls with drainage and geogrid reinforcement.
Repointing
Grinding out failing joints and repointing with color- and strength-matched mortar.
Stonework & Veneer
Veneer repairs, new stone facades, and matched stonework for historic and contemporary homes.
Stoops, Steps & Waterproofing
Brick, stone, and precast concrete stoops and steps; breathable masonry waterproofing for basements and walls.
Signs you need masonry
Catch these early and masonry repairs stay simple — ignore them and you're paying for interior damage on top of the exterior fix.
Crumbling or receding mortar joints
If you can scratch mortar out with a key, it's failed. Water is already getting behind the brick face — repointing before freeze-thaw cycles spall the brick saves the whole wall.
Cracked or spalling brick
Face-popped brick, flaking, or step-crack patterns mean water got in and froze. Spot replacement works if caught early; widespread spalling means repointing and possibly rebuilding the affected section.
Water stains on interior ceilings near chimney
Classic chimney leak — usually from a cracked crown, failed flashing, or porous masonry above the roofline. The water travels before it shows up inside.
White efflorescence on brick or stone
Chalky white deposits mean water is moving through the masonry and carrying minerals to the surface. Efflorescence itself is cosmetic; the water movement causing it is the problem.
Leaning, bulging, or displaced masonry
Any visible deformation in a chimney or wall is a structural issue, not cosmetic. Get it inspected before it becomes an emergency.
Missing chimney cap or damaged crown
A missing cap lets rain, snow, animals, and debris into the flue. A cracked crown is the single most common source of chimney leaks. Both are cheap fixes that prevent expensive repairs.
Systems we install for masonry
We don't push a preferred brand — we spec the system that fits your building, climate, and ownership horizon. Here's what we install and when each makes sense.
Type N and Type O lime mortars
The correct mortar for most residential work. Softer than modern Type S, so it doesn't crack the surrounding brick during thermal cycling. We color-match to existing joints on repointing jobs.
Matched and salvaged brick
For historic and older homes, we source matching brick from salvage yards, brick matchers, and reclaimed lots. Exact matches aren't always possible; close blends almost always are.
Dimensional and veneer stone
Natural and engineered stone veneers for facades, chimneys, and accent walls. Properly installed with weep screeds, drainage planes, and flashings — not caulked to the substrate like too much stone work is.
Breathable masonry waterproofers
Siloxane and silane penetrating sealers that block liquid water without trapping vapor. Applied after repointing, not before — so the joint cures correctly and the sealer bonds to sound masonry.
Stainless chimney caps and copper rainpans
Stainless caps with spark arrestors for active chimneys; copper for historic and aesthetic jobs. Both outlast the masonry around them and are worth the upgrade over painted steel.
Engineered retaining wall systems
Segmental block systems (Versa-Lok, Allan Block) for walls up to 4 feet; engineered solutions with geogrid reinforcement for taller walls. We handle permitting and engineering when required.
How it works
- 1
Inspection
On-site assessment — often including close inspection of chimney and high masonry.
- 2
Estimate
Itemized written estimate with photos.
- 3
Material Sourcing
Matching brick, stone, and mortar sourced before start.
- 4
Execution
Trained masons on every job — not day labor.
- 5
Cleanup
Mortar, dust, and debris fully cleaned up at end of each day.
Why choose us for masonry
- Licensed & insured — NJ HIC 13VH12075600, PA HIC PA185062, CT HIC 0701438. GL and WC on every crew.
- In business since 2006 — nearly two decades of craftsmanship you can verify.
- Written warranties — manufacturer + workmanship warranties, registered and documented.
- Local crews — no day labor, no subcontractor shuffle. Trained people on every job.
Service areas covered
We provide masonry services across New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Frequently asked
- Most chimney leaks come from one of four sources: the crown (top slab) is cracked, the flashing against the roof has failed, the masonry is absorbing water through failed joints, or the cap is missing. Our inspection identifies which — usually several at once.
Related services
Chimney Repair
Crown, cap, flashing, repointing, and full chimney rebuilds.
Concrete Driveways
New concrete driveways, replacement, and repair — built on proper base with jointing that holds up through winter.
Paver Installation
Interlocking concrete, clay brick, and natural stone pavers for driveways, walkways, and patios.
Walkways & Patios
Concrete, stone, and paver walkways and patios — built with proper drainage and edge detail.
Retaining Walls
Segmental block, natural stone, and engineered retaining walls with drainage and reinforcement.
Ready to get started?
Free estimate. No-pressure consultation. Local crews, licensed and insured.