Q. What should I expect after curbing?
A. Your extruded curbing is set to cure upon completion of the project. The concrete curb does not need to be sprayed or misted with water. Such actions will most likely discolor the curb and claims for discolored or wrong colored curb will be denied. The curb will not "fall apart" or "crumble" after we have left the jobsite. It is perfect, but vulnerable, when we leave. Make sure your neighbors and family members stay away from the curbing after we have left. The most curious of neighbors will approach your curb within minutes of our crew's departure. Protect your curb.

2. If it begins to rain within 6 hours after we leave the job, try to cover the curb with plastic. Make sure sprinkler systems are not activated for at least 24 hours. Irrigation, backwash from pool, condensation lines, or rain can damage the curb during the first 24 hours.

3. Take extra precaution to keep pets, children, vandals and objects away from the curb for at least 24 hours. It will be "hard" to the touch at this point, but will still need a few days to completely harden. The curb is like a "sandcastle". Refrain from testing the "hardness" of the curb.

4. During the first 24 to 48 hours you should avoid direct sprinkler impact on the curbing. After 24 hours a mist would not cause any damage, but a sprinkler within a couple of feet could create some pitting in your new curbing.

5. Sod laying, sprinkler work and landscape work may be started 24 hours after installation; however, caution must be taken as shovels, picks and wheelbarrows can damage the curb for several days while it is fully curing. When giving you an estimate we usually tell you to wait 2 days for an additional margin of safety.

6. If you have a landscape contractor working for you, caution him about protecting the curb from damage. If wheelbarrows are used for hauling rock over the curb, put a mound of dirt over it (6" deep) or build a ramp over the curb to keep the weight from cracking it. Never allow a tractor, truck, or any other equipment to run over the curb. Extreme Curb Appeal is not responsible for the damage to curbing resulting from any type of traffic.

7. If your curb is damaged after the installation crew has left, we will come back and make the necessary repairs; however, there is a minimum charge for this service. We will do the best job possible on this repair, however repairs rarely look as good as the initial extruded installation.

8. During the first 7 days you ought to keep lawn mowers off your curbing. The wheels will probably not damage the curbing, but the metal corners on your lawn mower may scratch or otherwise damage the product during its curing period.

9. During the next couple of weeks you will need to take extra precautions not to damage your curbing. Items such as rakes, shovels, and other gardening tools need to be used with caution near the curbing during this curing period.

10. Efflorescence (white powder substance) is not covered under warranty since it is a natural occurrence. It can appear on occasion and does not look good on curbing. It is generated from water sprinkling systems and can also appear after a rainstorm or if there is moisture in the ground around the curbing. It happens mostly in the Fall and Winter months. The intensity of the efflorescence varies depending upon the type (hardness) of water and volume of water that gets on the curb or amount of salts in the adjacent soils. Check your sprinkler heads while the system is on and adjust them to minimize the amount of water spraying directly on the curb. If you have just planted sod and are watering frequently, efflorescence may appear more readily. Be patient, wait for your lawn to get established and clean the curb after it dries. A solution of 50/50 vinegar and water with a light brushing will remove the efflorescence. You may have to do this a few times; eventually, the efflorescence should go away.

11. Some fertilizers and chemicals will stain the curbing as they would any other concrete product. You should alert those doing the fertilizing to avoid spraying their product on the curbing. If you feel they might have sprayed the concrete, you may wish to hose it down shortly after they have finished spraying.

12. Curbing with color in it may look "splotchy" for up to 30 days while it is curing. This will go away as it cures and is not to be confused with efflorescence. Concrete is darker in color when it is first laid and will lighten up as it dries. After about 30 days, and when the curb is fully dry, your curb will have a more uniform look to it. However, it may take longer due to excess moisture and watering of the lawn.

13. Cracking - Concrete curbing like any other type of concrete can and will crack. We try to control the cracking with expansion joints every three to four feet. If cracking does occur, it should be in the expansion joint.