THE CURBING PROCESS
Estimate: The first part of the curbing process is meeting with either James Bird (Owner) or one of our designers for a free consultation to figure out what would look best for your yard. Correct measurements are taken to give the customer the most accurate cost of the project. Depending on the amount of work done, most estimates take about 30 minutes. We will go through color choices and patterns that will best suit your property to give it the finest look possible, making you love your yard for years to come.
Second Meeting: Prior to pouring the job, James or the designated designer will meet with the customer one more time to go through the location of where the curb will be poured. We need to make sure everyone is on the same page to ensure perfect customer service. We will listen to what the customer wants, in addition to providing our professional viewpoints, to figure out what best suits the customer’s needs. Spray paint is then used to trace the location the curb will be laid so the homeowner can see the chosen layout for the new landscaping. The customer will be ready for the landscape edging to be installed. The customer will be provided with a general time frame for when the custom curbers will arrive for installation. On the morning of installation, you will receive a text to inform you that the work will begin.
Prep Work: Employees will be setting up all equipment and getting ready to start the process. Customers need not worry about a mess being made in their yard. The heaviest piece of equipment that goes through any yard is a wheelbarrow. We will also be hooking up our hose to the home water supply so concrete can be mixed properly. We may need to use the home exterior outlets to recharge our battery powered equipment.
Trenching: We will follow the sprayed out area where the landscape border will be installed with our bed edger. This is going to cut out the grass, making a path so the curb can be installed properly. The soil is ground up and pulverized, making it great soil that can be either kept and reused by the homeowner or disposed of by River Valley Custom Curbing.
Mixing and Extruding of Cement: Once all marked areas are trenched and prepped, the mixing process begins. At this point, we make our own blend of mixes, making the strongest, most durable concrete curb edging. The mix is dumped into a wheelbarrow and taken to the curb machine where the cement will be extruded and finished to give it the final look. Also during this process, CABLE RE-INFORCEMENT is placed through the center of the curb. Through the harsh frost freeze cycles Iowa endures, this cable prevents the curb from separating and heaving, making the curb the strongest, longest-lasting curb on the market.
Finishing: Having a strong finisher is a must when it comes to landscape curb edging. We will make sure all voids are smoothed out, giving the edging a smooth professional look. We will ensure that the landscape edging is troweled to a level of perfection.
Stamping and Control Joints: To give the landscape curb the best possible look, a variety of stamps can be chosen to best suit the looks of your house and landscaping. All stamps are applied with a release agent to make the patterns stand out. Stamps rolled on or hand-pressed in with tools create the desired look. This takes place once the curb has been properly finished. Once the curb is stamped, the next process is cutting the landscape curb in the correct spots to prevent cracking. These expansion joints are roughly 2 feet apart. This will give the curb some flexibility throughout the freeze-thaw cycle.
Sealing: Sealing is the final process of installing landscape edging. This is going to protect the curb from the sun's UV rays and prevent the color curbing from fading . This process should be repeated the year following installation, then every two to three years to keep the curb protected. This process can be done by the homeowner or by River Valley Custom Curbing. Recommended sealers will be given at the end of the job.
Enjoying your Curb: All these processes are completed in one day, transforming your yard into a gorgeous landscape that you will love for decades to come.
Second Meeting: Prior to pouring the job, James or the designated designer will meet with the customer one more time to go through the location of where the curb will be poured. We need to make sure everyone is on the same page to ensure perfect customer service. We will listen to what the customer wants, in addition to providing our professional viewpoints, to figure out what best suits the customer’s needs. Spray paint is then used to trace the location the curb will be laid so the homeowner can see the chosen layout for the new landscaping. The customer will be ready for the landscape edging to be installed. The customer will be provided with a general time frame for when the custom curbers will arrive for installation. On the morning of installation, you will receive a text to inform you that the work will begin.
Prep Work: Employees will be setting up all equipment and getting ready to start the process. Customers need not worry about a mess being made in their yard. The heaviest piece of equipment that goes through any yard is a wheelbarrow. We will also be hooking up our hose to the home water supply so concrete can be mixed properly. We may need to use the home exterior outlets to recharge our battery powered equipment.
Trenching: We will follow the sprayed out area where the landscape border will be installed with our bed edger. This is going to cut out the grass, making a path so the curb can be installed properly. The soil is ground up and pulverized, making it great soil that can be either kept and reused by the homeowner or disposed of by River Valley Custom Curbing.
Mixing and Extruding of Cement: Once all marked areas are trenched and prepped, the mixing process begins. At this point, we make our own blend of mixes, making the strongest, most durable concrete curb edging. The mix is dumped into a wheelbarrow and taken to the curb machine where the cement will be extruded and finished to give it the final look. Also during this process, CABLE RE-INFORCEMENT is placed through the center of the curb. Through the harsh frost freeze cycles Iowa endures, this cable prevents the curb from separating and heaving, making the curb the strongest, longest-lasting curb on the market.
Finishing: Having a strong finisher is a must when it comes to landscape curb edging. We will make sure all voids are smoothed out, giving the edging a smooth professional look. We will ensure that the landscape edging is troweled to a level of perfection.
Stamping and Control Joints: To give the landscape curb the best possible look, a variety of stamps can be chosen to best suit the looks of your house and landscaping. All stamps are applied with a release agent to make the patterns stand out. Stamps rolled on or hand-pressed in with tools create the desired look. This takes place once the curb has been properly finished. Once the curb is stamped, the next process is cutting the landscape curb in the correct spots to prevent cracking. These expansion joints are roughly 2 feet apart. This will give the curb some flexibility throughout the freeze-thaw cycle.
Sealing: Sealing is the final process of installing landscape edging. This is going to protect the curb from the sun's UV rays and prevent the color curbing from fading . This process should be repeated the year following installation, then every two to three years to keep the curb protected. This process can be done by the homeowner or by River Valley Custom Curbing. Recommended sealers will be given at the end of the job.
Enjoying your Curb: All these processes are completed in one day, transforming your yard into a gorgeous landscape that you will love for decades to come.