Step-by-step process for installing concrete curb stones

For driveways and garden borders, concrete curb stones are a useful and long-lasting way to mark edges in landscaping projects. They give the area a polished, orderly appearance and aid in maintaining different components, such as mulch or gravel. Although installing concrete curb stones may seem difficult, it’s a manageable project for any do-it-yourself enthusiast with the right tools and some knowledge.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the installation of concrete curb stones in this guide. These directions will assist you in producing a durable and eye-catching project, regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects. Every step, from laying the foundation to placing the stones, is essential to guaranteeing the durability and efficiency of your curbing.

It’s crucial to gather all required tools and materials before you start. Being well-prepared will help you avoid interruptions during the project and save time. Along with the concrete curb stones, you’ll also need a level, a mallet, and a shovel. It’s also beneficial to carefully plan your layout, measure the area, and mark the location of the curb installation.

Materials for installing curbs

You must get supplies and tools ready if you want to install curbs on your own. Let’s start with consumables. Among these, you’ll require:

• Rope. Used to make markings at the initial stage. Using measuring devices, stretch the cord, securing it to the pegs. Subsequently, the upper edge of the curbstone will pass at the level of the rope tension, which greatly simplifies the installation of products.
• Stakes. Can be made of metal or wood, but they must be securely dug into the ground where the products are installed.
• Geotextile. A material that is used to separate the soil and the base. It is designed to prevent plants from growing in the ground. Represented by a roll of fabric, made of synthetic threads and fibers. Geotextile also performs a drainage function – it increases the strength and durability of the structure.
• Bulk material. Crushed stone is used as a bulk material, since it is the most durable. Subsequently it is compacted with a vibrating plate. Crushed stone of a fraction of 20-40 mm is used to install the curbstone. It is recommended to use mixed fractions to ensure good density of the base.
• Sand for sealing the seams. Used in a dipped form and is used to seal the seams between the on -board stone at the finish stage.

Concreting: consumption rate

Concrete is one of the essential components of consumables. Onboard stone installation is possible using both concrete and cement-sand mortar when a concrete lock is created. It is thought that this is the most dependable option.

Use materials with the following qualities as concrete:

• class B15;
• brand M200;
• Frost resistance F200.

GOST 7473-2010 stipulates that the workability, density, temperature, porosity, and volume of entrained air in the concrete mixture must all be met. When laying the curbstone, keep the consumption rate in mind as well. The coefficient of 0.593 per 100 linear meters of material is used to calculate it.

Tools and devices

You must get ready the following tools before installing ready-made concrete curbs:

• Building level. Must be at least 1.5-2 meters long. This is due to the fact that standard curb stones are quite large, and to align them horizontally, a long tool is required. A small meter level will not work here.
• Shovel. Needed to mix the solution: pour the material into a concrete mixer or collect it in a pile.
• Trowel. Needed for laying the curbs with concrete at the stage when the stone has already been installed and needs to be fixed.
• Hammer or sledgehammer. It is better to take it with a rubber tip (mallet). This tool will come in handy when you need to align the curbs and adjust them to one strip.
• Angle grinder with a stone disc.During the work, you need to cut off excess pieces of material to fit into the required length.

Equipment and mechanisms

A concrete mixer is the most obvious and necessary tool for installing curb stones. It will be useful when combining cement-sand mortar and concrete mixture. The process of mixing various compositions is made much simpler on the construction site by the easy-to-use concrete mixer.

Also, you might require a specific curbstone grip. We refer to it as a "curbstone grip." One stone can weigh up to 95 kg, so it is meant to be lifted. Both a longitudinal and transverse grip are present.

The lifting capacity of this equipment should be considered when selecting it; it should either match or exceed the weight of the stone that will be placed in the chosen curbs. The grip’s actual distance should also be considered because the curbstone needs to fit inside the grip.

Procedure

Following the algorithm is recommended to ensure a successful installation process. The instructions call for carrying out a number of tasks step-by-step.

Digging a trench

Marking boundaries is advised prior to excavating a trench. Pegs and a cord are used for this. Every 1.5 to 2 meters, a thread or cord is pulled between the driven pegs.

Tightening the thread will guarantee future curbstone installation that is uniform.

The purpose of digging the trench is to firmly anchor the curbs within and keep them from coming loose. Variations in temperature frequently cause loosening.

It is possible to determine the depth of the trench on its own; all that is needed is knowledge of the height of the curb, the thickness of the cushion beneath it, and the desired height of the curb protrusion above ground.

The trench’s width should allow the curb to fit into it, leaving a few centimeters on either side for concrete installation.

For instance, if the curb measures 500 by 210 by 40 mm, the trench’s depth should be 24 cm, and the concrete cushion’s thickness and width should be 3 and 6 cm, respectively.

Preparing the fixing solution

When a smartphone is lost, it is necessary for it to be reactivated using a cellular phone. The trench is cleaned of dirt and debris in order to achieve this. Additionally, a vibrating plate must be used to compact the trench’s bottom.

Next, get the other materials and the concrete mixture ready. The trench’s bottom is covered with geotextile, which will obstruct the growth of plants and roots. Following the crushed stone’s backfilling process, a vibrating plate is used to level and compact the material. The layer of crushed stone is roughly 10 cm thick.

Get the solution ready to pour at the very end. You can use a dry concrete mixture for this, diluted with water according to the right amounts. There should be as little water in the solution as possible because it should be thick. Such a layer of concrete has a thickness of between 5 and 7 cm.

Installation by level

Curbstone installation is done precisely in accordance with the building level and the stretched cord. Because of this, it is preferable to use a long tool that can simultaneously grab multiple curbs.

There may be slopes in the area where the stone is placed. Take unevenness into account as it could be skewed. Nearly all of the work will need to be redone in the future, which will incur extra expenses.

Concrete is piled in small heaps in the trench, on the installation line, and in the locations of any joints. In such cases, concrete "elevations" are finished with curb stones. You can also use hooks or pliers at this point.

One to three millimeters should separate each product. A rubber hammer is used to level the curbs and adjust their position; this tool gently taps the stone without breaking it.

Concreting

They start concreting the exposed curb stone and making clips. On either side of the curb, formwork is positioned 15–20 cm apart. A mixture of concrete is placed inside. The mixture for the concrete needs to fill the area beneath the curbstone completely.

One cubic meter of concrete should be enough to install 15-17 products. This technology of distributing concrete on both sides is called a "concrete castle".

After concreting, the formwork is taken down, usually within two to three days. Next, grouting is done with M100 cement mortar or sand that has been moistened with water. The stone is thus firmly fastened on all sides.

Backfilling after concrete hardening

The areas surrounding the stone are leveled once the concrete has fully set. They have crushed stone or sand covering them. It is important to note separately that a grinder is used to cut the curb stone. When bending or turning the product, a cut is required.

A guillotine is a more specialized tool that is typically used in work teams for splitting stones, but it can be used in place of a grinder.

Concrete curb stone installation is a simple procedure that improves the appearance and usefulness of any landscape. From leveling the ground to fastening the stones, this guide explains every stage in detail. You’ll discover how to measure, mark, dig a trench, establish a base, and firmly set curb stones. Whether you’re making a sturdy edge for your driveway or a tidy border for your garden, this simple method guarantees expert results every time.

Possible difficulties and errors

Errors and difficulties may occur while working. A few subtleties of the work:

• on straight sections, the laying of products must be carried out end-to-end;
• if there is a large bending radius, then the curbs are installed without trimming the ends;
• if the turn is sharp and arched, then the ends need to be trimmed at both adjacent stones;
• the stone laying procedure must be carried out no later than 3 days before the start of paving the paths.

Inadequate solution preparation and disregard for proportions are two common errors made by inexperienced artisans. A violation of this kind may result in a solution that is excessively thick or liquid, which is inappropriate for building a concrete castle.

Consequences

Violations will have dire repercussions if they are not discovered in a timely manner. For instance, the curb stone may eventually become loose and come loose from the concrete base.

This suggests that the mortar or concrete mixture was not laid in accordance with technology or was not prepared correctly. In the first month of use, distortions and deformations will become apparent if the product is not installed level, which will also cause loosening.

Any landscape can be greatly improved in terms of appearance and functionality with the simple project of installing concrete curb stones. The methodical approach will guarantee a polished finish that will endure for many years. The secret is to plan ahead carefully and approach each step one at a time.

Plan and mark the area where you want curbs before anything else. Before you start digging, this will help you see the project and make any necessary adjustments. It’s important to dig the trench to the proper depth and width because this will give your curbs a solid foundation.

When the trench is prepared, cover it with a layer of crushed stone or gravel to form a sturdy foundation. This will stop the curbs from shifting over time and improve drainage. Durability depends on properly mixing and pouring the concrete, so make sure to follow the suggested ratios and distribute it evenly.

To create a tidy, uniform appearance, carefully align and level the curb stones after setting them in the concrete. Before making any final touches or putting the area through a lot of use, give the concrete time to properly cure. This phase will require patience, but the rewards will be long-lasting.

After completing these steps, your outdoor space will have a strong and appealing border that offers both practical and visual benefits. Properly installed concrete curbs can significantly improve the overall look and use of your property, whether it’s for a driveway, walkway, or garden.

Video on the topic

Easy DIY curb/side stone installation.

Installation of curb – concrete lock

Installation of edge stone – work process