FAQ
What Can I Expect during Installation of My New Curbing?
If you have existing grass it will not be effected by our machines. The grass in the area the curb is laid is trenched to install your curbing. Out side that area the grass remains the same. We transfer the concrete using a Piledriver, which has large turf tires and don't tear up the grass. You curb is extruded through a curb machine like this, which we mfg. The concrete is mixed onsite with a specialized trailer and mortar mixer. Very minimal disturbance to your property. You must understand that there may be very small minute leftovers next to curb or in the grass which is easily picked up.
I have an existing yard, can IÂ still have curbing put in?
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.
Do you have any issues with cracking in your curbing?
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.
Can you help us with layout?
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.
What kind of warranty can IÂ expect for this type of product?
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 occurrences 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.
I've scheduled curbing to be put in, What should i do before the crew shows up?
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.
What do IÂ do with sprinklers? On new properties and existing ones?
If you have a new construction and are looking to have curbing put in, the sprinklers go in after the curb. Most sprinkler companies in Boise who work with us want it this way and so do we. It's easier for both of us. If you have the sprinklers in first then they dictate where the curb goes, this makes for not smooth flowing lines because we must adjust to them. In the opposite sense, the sprinkler guys can put their heads next to the curb when it's in first.
On existing lawns, 90% of the time we will go outside your heads to create nice lines. No worries, your heads will shoot over the curb and spray normally.
Are there any sealers that are applied and do IÂ need to reapply after?
A high gloss acrylic sealer is sprayed on all curb that has color. Stamped or not. This is the only thing that brings the color out and makes it pop. Liken it to a clear you put on wood to see the grains. Water based sealers DO NOT work as well, make sure it is not used on your curb. All sealers regardless of what they are will need to be reapplied. Sealer that is exposed to sunlight and UV rays will break down over time, this doesn't mean they will peel off or disappear. They will lose their luster and need to be reimulsified. Another coat will darken all your colors like the first time and make it look nice again.
Is there a minimum footage/cost for a job? Also for trees rings?
Yes, we have a 75 foot curbing minimum. We also have a $175 tree ring minimum.
Will you move the rock and remove our old edging?
We are a curbing company and not a landscaping company. That being said, we will move necessary rock to install curbing. As far as moving old curbing and/or edging, we can do this but will be quoted per job.