First 24 Hours: The fresh concrete can be damaged, especially in the first 5 or 6 hours after laying it. Damage can come from many things including: Animals such as dogs, cats, squirrels or mole crickets and other insects your lawn may have, etc… walking on it; neighbors and their children, yourselves and your children; your lawn care people; contractors working on your premises or your neighbors’ premises. We’ve seen it all! Border Masters is not responsible for damage after leaving the job site. There is a $140.00 minimum charge (paid by customer) to come back for minor repairs by one of our crewmen or a $295.00 minimum charge if the damage requires full equipment. We will do the best we can to correct the damage although it is nearly impossible to have a perfect match with the color and stamp design. Please take care to prevent damage in these first few hours. Also, it is suggested to not use a weed-whacker in the first 2 weeks after installation.

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The following day, the concrete is hard enough to walk on. However, the color of the curb will still be dark because it takes 28 days for concrete to fully cure. Over the next several days you’ll notice it becoming splotchy: light in some areas and still dark in others until it is fully cured. After this time, a second coat of sealer may be applied if so desired. The second coat is not necessary but in some cases desired by the customer for: a glossier, shinier look; added protection against mold and mildew; a second coat also makes the color a shade darker. Border Masters will apply sealer for $1.50 per foot or gladly instruct you on where to get the proper materials and instructions if you’d like to do it yourselves. Sealer does not need to be reapplied to your curbing for a full 2 years, unless you’d like to have a darker look to it (a shade similar to when it’s wet).

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Rain damage during installation day: Border Masters will protect the new curb with plastic if it looks like rain could cause damage that day. It’s unlikely to be damaged unless there is a hard rain within 2 hours of laying the curb. If there is damage during the first day, it will be repaired or replaced at our expense. Watering your curb after it has hardened will not damage it and is actually good for it as it slows the curing process down during the first month.

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Occasionally the concrete border will hold water inside the beds after a heavy rain. We will drill some release holes where they are obviously needed at time of installation. If you have downspouts located inside the borders, you may need to add gutter extensions to allow the water to flow over the curbing. The customer can drill additional holes in future with a 1/2” – 5/8” masonry bit. It is suggested to limit the number of holes in your curbing as this may weaken that area of the curb. It’s also suggested to put a couple handfuls of gravel behind each hole to act as a filter to keep the holes from clogging up with sand, mulch, etc. Some will eventually clog up anyway. You will need to clear them out with a drill, screwdriver, etc if needed….

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Efflorescence (white powdery substance) can appear on curbing occasionally. The amount of efflorescence, if any, can be caused from the hardness of your water and the amount of water being sprayed on your curb from the sprinklers. If it occurs, it can be removed with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water and a brush (may need a wire brush).

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Your curbing has a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. It will be repaired at no charge if the defect is caused by the materials we use or the way it was installed by our workers.