Caring for Your Curbing

Welcome to our Caring for Your Curbing Page—here you can read about the rules concerning the after-care for your new curbing installation. The first few hours are the most imperative, so make sure to read everything listed here to ensure a long life with your landscape curbing.

If you have any concerns or questions beyond what is listed here, give us a call at (616) 585-0462—anytime you need.

If you haven’t had your curbing installed yet but are ready to get started now; visit our Request Service Page and submit your request for Accent Landscaping LLC today.

– Click Here to Request Service –

CURING:

Your new landscape curbing will be dry to the touch within 3 hours of installation. At this point it can withstand rain. Your curbing can still be damaged if you bump it within the first 24 hours.

Please take care to make sure pets, children, and guests do not step on your new landscape curbing installation. If your curbing is damaged by rain, call us at 616-585-0462—we will repair it at our cost within 20 days. If your edging is damaged otherwise, it will be repaired at a minimum charge of $275.00. Concrete is considered fully cured after 28 days.

If your curbing was covered with plastic—this was to protect it from rain. The plastic can be removed and disposed of after the initial 24 hour period, or if no further rain is to be expected.

Your new landscape curbing will be dry to the touch within 3 hours of installation. At this point it can withstand rain. Your curbing can still be damaged if you bump it within the first 24 hours.

Please take care to make sure pets, children, and guests do not step on your new landscape curbing installation. If your curbing is damaged by rain, call us at (850) 339-9281—we will repair it at our cost within 20 days. If your edging is damaged otherwise, it will be repaired at a minimum charge of $275.00. Concrete is considered fully cured after 28 days.

If your curbing was covered with plastic—this was to protect it from rain. The plastic can be removed and disposed of after the initial 24 hour period, or if no further rain is to be expected.

STAINING OR SEALING:

Your curbing has been sealed with a “Same Day” sealer, UV CurbCure 350™, this offers excellent protection from the weather short term as well as the sealer protects the colored concrete for up to 2 years. We recommend that you have us reseal your curbing every 18 months.

DO NOT apply sealers that are sold at retail stores as it may adversely affect the properties of your colored concrete curb beyond repair.

PREVENT DAMAGE:

Your concrete curbing will give you years of enjoyment with little care. It is important to understand that while extremely durable, your edging is not indestructible. Pushing a wheelbarrow full or rock over your curbing may cause it to crack. If you need to get rock inside your bed then use a ramp to keep heavy weights off your curbing. Running over your curbing with a car or truck, will most likely crack or break the concrete. Warn your landscaper not to scrape the deck of their mower on any portion of your curbing. It will leave unsightly scratches that diminish the beauty of your curbing. A string trimmer should be used to trim the grass around your curbing. Over time tree roots may lift and break your curbing. To combat this, we have placed “control joints” closer together in areas where tree roots are a potential hazard. This allows the damaged portion to be lifted out and replaced without effecting the entire curbing installation. Once the affected area is removed, the tree roots can be shaven or removed with a chainsaw or hatchet; then a new portion can be fit directly into the area.

EFFLORESCENCE OR COLOR FADING:

We seal your curbing with a specially formulated UV CurbCure 350™ sealer. This immediately provides protection for your curbing. Sealing is especially important when using colored concrete. Calcium carbonate deposits can form on the surface of the edging due to a natural reaction between carbon dioxide and the free lime in cement often referred to as efflorescence. As a result, colored curbing may appear faded. Using our UV CurbCure 350™ sealer and a special additive in the concrete called almost all efflorescence is avoided. The sealed curbing will appear somewhat glossy at first but will settle down to a smooth matte finish.

WATER RETENTION:

In extremely wet areas or during extended periods of heavy rain, your curbing may retain water in your beds. If this becomes a concern, you have two options:

Drill holes into the base of your curbing using a 6″ or longer, &frac14″ masonry drill but, available at any hardware store.
Option 2: Dig a small channel under your curbing; be sure not to pry upwards. Place a 6″ piece of PVC pipe with an elbow at each end in the channel and backfill around the pipe to keep it in place. This will allow water to flow through the pipe under the curbing.

CLEANING:

Our UV CurbCure 350™ seals the surface sufficiently to deter most algae and mold growth. However, if mold and/or mildew develop anywhere on your curbing it can be removed with a strong bleach and water solution, which will kill to spores entirely.

Wait 24 hours, then wash off with a spray nozzle attached to your hose. A stiff scrubbing brush may be needed for stubborn areas.

Pressure Washing is NOT recommended, as it can seriously damage the surface of your curb. If more than 18 months has past since your curb was sealed, you should schedule a re-seal with Accent Landscaping LLC to help prevent recurring growth. It closes the pores of the concrete giving mold and/or mildew nothing to attach itself to.