Curbing Care Guide

• All curbing is installed above the frost line as a decorative concrete product, over compacted crushed gravel base, consistent with all decorative curbing industry standards.

• Control joints are cut every 24 to 30 inches using a special tool during the finishing and stamping process to ensure frost heave doesn't damage or crack the curbing.

• A low-slump concrete mix is used to allow the curbing machine to extrude and hold its shape. You may notice that the surface of the concrete has a slightly rough texture when it first leaves the machine — this is normal and expected. Our hand finishing techniques after this will give a smooth finish, or prepare for a beautiful decorative stamp and pattern.

• We connect to existing curbing with a steel rebar dowel for additional strength at the joint.

• Rebar reinforcement is available for driveway curbing and larger commercial installations.

• A curing compound acrylic sealer is applied to each patterned or stamped installation immediately after the curbing is stamped and initial set has occurred. This sealer helps retain moisture during the initial cure period and enhances the colour, while protecting the finish from weathering. It is recommended to reseal with a decorative concrete acrylic sealer the following year, and then every 2-3 years after that.

• Please keep all traffic (foot, vehicle, pets) off the new curbing for a minimum of 24 hours after installation.

• Full concrete strength is achieved after approximately 28 days. If you have backfill to do, putting in more stone or mulch and using metal tools near the curbing, please allow 7 days for the cure to harden up the concrete so it is scratch resistant.

• We recommend placing a small flag or marker at each end of new curbing sections before winter to help snow plow operators avoid damage.

• We recommend applying a fresh coat of concrete sealer the year after your initial installation, and then every 2-3 years after this.

• We offer a sealing program — contact us in early spring, or book when your installation is complete, to arrange for your curbing sealer application.

We don't have to really worry about water exposure like light rain or sprinklers from distance because of the type of curing compound we use — it makes the surface of the concrete water resistant after about 1 hour and the concrete is usually initially set when we apply it. But if the water is heavy enough that it can physically dent the surface of the finish, or push through and wash away the sealer, that's a different animal.

• Please ensure all in-ground sprinkler systems are turned off for a minimum of 24 hours after installation.

• After 24 hours, normal lawn watering can resume.