Proudly serving Northern VA, MD and DC
Do You Want to Add a Special Touch to Your Landscape?
We are sure that you will be pleased with your new decorative concrete curbing. It will save you hours of edging and trimming time and we hope you will find that it adds that final touch for your landscaping.
Following are some brief facts and instructions for the care and maintenance of your new concrete curb:
Your new concrete does not need to be sprayed or misted with water.
Your new curbing is a concrete product. Most concrete takes approximately 28 days to fully cure. During the two weeks following installation, be extra careful not to damage the curbing. Items such as rakes, shovels, trimmers and other gardening tools should be used with caution.
Keep everyone away (children, pets, neighbors) away from your curbing for at least the first 24 hours. It may feel hard to the touch, but it is still susceptible to damage during the first 24 hours.
Sod laying, sprinkler work and other landscape work should be delayed for at least 48 hours after installation, and then done with care around the curbing.
During the first 7 days keep lawn mowers off of your curbing. The wheels will not damage the curbing, but metal corners on your lawn mower may scratch or damage during the curing period.
If it begins to rain within the first 4-6 hours after installation, cover the curb with plastic. Make sure to remove it the next day.
During the first three days after installation you should turn off the sprinklers.
Efflorescence can appear on curbing for a variety of reasons. It appears as a white powder substance and occurs because of water and salts. As water evaporates off of the curbing sometimes the salty substance is left behind. It can come out of the ground or be a result of rain or sprinkler systems. The intensity varies depending on the volume and hardness of the water. If you water frequently, efflorescence may appear more readily. If you need to clean efflorescence, simply mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and with light brushing it can be removed. You may have to do this more than once, but eventually the efflorescence should go away.
Some fertilizers and chemicals will stain the curbing as they would any other concrete. You should alert those doing the fertilizing to avoid spraying their product on the curbing. Iron will especially discolor it, whether in granules or in spray form. If you feel the concrete has been accidentally coated with a fertilizer or chemical, hose it down shortly after they have finished fertilizing.
Color will eventually fade from ultraviolet light and UV rays. We encourage you to consider having it sealed every two to three years. We will return and do this for you if you wish for a nominal fee. Just call us and we will gladly return to help you keep your curbing looking like new.