Question 1

Do you have any issues with cracking in your curbing?

Accepted Answer

Curbing is a concrete product and if a curbing company says their curbing never cracks they are simply not telling the truth.  We have very minimal cracks as we use the correct ratios and techniques when it comes to mixing concrete and finishing.  Spider cracks can occur in concrete and must not be mixed up with seperation.  You must remember that cracks can and will occur in concrete.  Many factors contribute to this including materials, layouts, and temps.  The main issues with landscape curbing are extreme angles, inclines, and declines.  You must realize that a curbing machine weighs approx 210 lbs so getting enough compression is extremely difficult in these situations.  Cracks are concrete issues, they can and will happen.  Cracks that are over 1/4 wide on level ground are an issue with operator error or lack of compaction, these cracks will be covered under warranty. Cracks in all other situations are not.  We put the control joints closer to relieve stress but cracks can occur, they are a fact of concrete life.  We are dealing with moving concrete.  
 
We put expansion joints approx every 2 feet for the relief of stress in the concrete as it cures.  These joints are no different than the cuts in sidewalks or driveways, we are essentially putting cracks in ahead of time so the curbing will expand there.  If it does then there may be a small crack that runs down the back or the front close to the ground.  This DOES NOT mean the curbing has cracked, it means the control joints are doing their job and releiving stress.

Question 2

What about reinforcement and p.s.i.?

Accepted Answer

Landscape curbing is just that, for your landscape.  You need to keep this in mind and not compare it to curb you see in a parking lot.  It isn't the same as it doesn't have the same aggregate.  PSI for normal landscape curb varies on the type of sands used and ratios mixed.  Most are in the 2000 psi range.  You can do several things when it comes to reinforcement.  Rebar like in flatwork isn't an option when it comes to this.  Some run cable in their curb as that may help with seperation which is tensile strength.  Others, like us, use blended polymers and fiber which not only increase tensile strength but compression strength as well

Question 3

I have an existing yard, can i still have curbing put in?"

Accepted Answer

If your yard has existing grass and sprinklers you can for sure have curb put in.  There are a couple things to be aware of though.  Existing yards are considered a retro-fit, done after the fact.  Normally curb goes in before the sprinklers and rock or mulch so the curbers can create smooth flowing lines without obstruction like sprinkler heads ect.  Since they are already in along with the plastic or brick edging, the curb must go outside those areas and create new lines.  We don't come in and move rock, remove existing edging, and place curb where edging was before, those are things a landscaper does and we are curbers.  Curb can easily be placed outside the sprinkler heads and not obstruct spray that way we can create smooth, beautiful flowing lines.  The space behind the curbing then can be filled with your material.  You must realize that it's being done backwards.

Question 4

Can you help us with layout?

Accepted Answer

For sure!   Smooth flowing lines and curves are the very best look you can get.  Straight lines and corners first of all aren't aesthetically pleasing but are a pain to mow.  You also can't get proper drainage with them.  Realize that a 200 lb machine is laying your curb, it's constantly moving so straight lines will NEVER be straight, no matter what company does them.  You want the curb around your house to flow so it's easy to mow and you don't have to stop.  You want it to transition cleanly to the next.  Look at yards that have curbing, do the lines flow or are they a jumbled, jagged mess.  Tell Tale sign operator has no experience.  Flow is extremely important and it's the first thing you see when someone drives by.

Question 5

What kind of warranty can I expect for Landscape curbing?

Accepted Answer

Our warranty on curbing is a 1 year workmanship warranty.  Because this type of concrete cures so fast any issues you will have will commonly occur in the first 24 hours.  Spider cracks are a concrete issue that can and may occur.  Do we ever have issues with them? NO, but you need to be aware.  If a crack forms and it's more than a 1/4 inch wide, it is operator error and will be fixed.  Cracks that occur due to vehicles, heavy mowers, natural occurances such as tree roots, ground heaving, ect will not.  Common sense really comes into play, when a car drives on landscape curb it's prob not gonna hold up.  Spider Cracks
are a fact of life in concrete and may occur in certain situations.

Question 6

I've scheduled curbing to be put in, What should i do before the crew shows up?"

Accepted Answer

All sprinklers need to be marked either with a flag or paint.  When we cut the sod we use a bed edger with a rotating blade which will chop your sprinkler in half.  We aren't responsible for sprinklers ruined if they aren't marked.  Make sure your driveway or area on street is clear of vehicles so we have room to park.

Question 7

Is there a minimum footage/cost for a job? Also for trees rings?

Accepted Answer

Yes we have a minimum footage.  You must realize that a normal curbing crew is 3-4 men, with 2 trucks and a trailer with all the necessary equipment.  We cannot travel across town and do 20 feet, a company would lose money on that.  We currently have a $700 minimum, some other companies are lower but may have a smaller crew ect.  Tree rings need to be large enough to handle growth years down the road and they are difficult and time consuming.  We have a 25 foot minimum on tree rings which will give you at least a 6 foot diameter.

Frequently asked questions