If you are planning on installing new kerbing in your home, you should consider using concrete as your construction material. Concrete has high strength, so the edging will not be damaged by mechanical stress or impact. Also, there are multiple decorative options which you can choose to enhance your landscape. In addition, the material does not require extensive maintenance for ideal appearance and functionality. However, you should not neglect the concrete kerbing after installation. The lack of care will lead to accelerated degradation of the feature. Instead, you should consider using the below tips to ensure optimal performance and promote longevity.
Ensure Proper Curing
One of the common causes of premature kerbing failure is the use of the feature before the concrete is correctly cured. Therefore, when you install the concrete kerb in your home, you should not be quick to make use of it. You should instead allow the material sufficient time to cure, according to the recommendations made by your contractor. Avoid placing any load on the kerb, including vehicle tyres and foot traffic. Also, you should keep the new structure moist during the curing process to prevent cracking and pitting due to sudden dehydration. If possible, you should protect the kerbing from direct sunlight.
Protect from Chemicals
De-icing chemicals are convenient for dealing with snow during winter. These compounds work fast and ensure that your driveway is safe for use. Unfortunately, they can also be highly detrimental to the service life of your concrete kerbing and similar surfaces. In general, the chemicals contains salts which react negatively with the construction material. For example, some products will cause scaling of the surface while others will destabilise the composition of the concrete mixture and cause the loss of strength. Therefore, you should choose an alternative method for dealing with ice and snow. For example, you can pour some sand over the kerbing and driveway to provide traction for your moving vehicle.
Seal the Kerbing
The most distinct weakness of concrete as a construction material is its porosity. In general, if your concrete structure is exposed to water, it will absorb the moisture. This process in itself is not significantly harmful. However, when the absorbed water freezes and thaws repeatedly, it will cause internal stress in the concrete. Consequently, cracks will form in your kerbing. Therefore, you should protect your new landscaping feature by sealing the surface. The right sealant will prevent the absorption of water, decreasing the risk of concrete damage and deterioration.
Share24 January 2018
Pouring concrete isn't necessarily as straightforward as it looks. Depending on the land, you have to make multiple adjustments ranging from laying a layer of gravel to putting in moisture barriers. Then, depending on the size of the concrete pad, you may need to add steel reinforcements. After the concrete has dried and cured, you may decide to add sealants, do an acid wash or play with other finishes. Then, of course, there are differences between pouring concrete inside or outside. In this blog, I hope to cover all those issues and more. If you're looking for tips and ideas, take a look at these posts. Whether you plan to hire a concrete contractor or do the work yourself, it can help to know this information.
