Concrete Curbing?
My desire with this article is to educate our potential clients on what to look for in a cement type edging while raising the standards of the entire concrete curbing industry in general through giving potential buyers of edging and curbs for their lawn more information about the product and processes.
We recently replaced the following concrete curbing and with the clients' permission, we took pictures of this generic curbing before we tore it out.
The client's landscaper purchased a 'machine' without the knowledge that cement edging is tough work. They made an attempt to install this themselves but have since decided to have A Better Edge installed rather than do their own generic curbing.
One important thing to look for is site preparation and nice flowing curves. A good installation should have graceful mowing lines. This curb zig-zags back and forth and rides up and down like a roller coaster. Be sure your contractor is offering a sufficient subgrade preparation. Since typical landscape curbing companies do not use forms, the subgrade prep work MUST have attention as curb machines will travel up and down with the grade.
Secondly, ask your contractor for a spec sheet on their mix design. Insufficient mix design combines with a lack of finishing capability to result in the curb seen here. The cement is scaling and rough; allowing penetration of the elements and rapid deterioration. The basic mix design should yeild 2500 psi. MINIMUM. (The standard mix desing for A Better Edge yeilds an average of 4000 psi.)
The most basic intended use of landscape edging is to provide a nice mowing surface and transition from grass to beds. In this picture, notice how the soil comes to the top of the right edge of the curb. If the clients would have settled for this eyesore and installed their sod, the curb would have been below the sod so as to prevent the intended ease of mowing.
These are just a few of the many important things to look for when having cement edging or 'concrete curbing' installed around your home. Probably the best insurance against this type of disappointment is to ask for pictures of actual installs with addresses and referrals. We are happy to share this and more with you at one of our Free Estimates.