Installing Precast Concrete Curbing

a car next to a curb
  • 2-20 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 40-400

Concrete curbing is a great way to mark the different sections in your landscaping. These precast concrete curbing pieces can be placed in areas where the lawn meets a walkway or patio, along the edge of a driveway, or along the sidewalk in front of your home. There are endless possibilities when it comes to concrete curbing. Installing concrete curbing is a fairly easy process, but does entail plenty of heavy lifting.

How They Fit Together

The installation of the concrete curbing is very straightforward. The precast concrete curbing is manufactured in such a way where they fit together with a tongue and groove fastening system. There is a lip on the edge of one side of the curbing with a receiver on the other end. As they lay end to end they fit together with these locking joints.

Basic Equipment Needed

When installing the precast curbing it is a good idea to make sure that you have all of the required equipment to get the job done quickly and without any problems. You may want to enlist the help of a few friends to help maneuver the concrete curbing, or make use of a small tractor, cart, or skid. You will also need basic tools like shovels, rakes, a spade, and a rubber mallet. They will help to level the curbing after they have been placed on the ground. A hand stamper is an optional tool to help compact the ground.

Plan Before Starting

Before you start with your curb project you should always create some sort of plan to follow. This can be a simple diagram consisting of a drawing of your landscape and where you want to place the curbing. Try to create the diagram to scale and create as much detail as you can. This will help you when you purchase the curbing material that you need.

Beginning Steps

After the plan has been finished, and you have the curbing delivered to your home, you can start the installation process. To start, begin to outline the ground with a shovel or a spade. Cut into the turf and remove it until you have bare ground.

Dig A Trench

Once the outline has been scored into the ground, start digging a trench that is the same height as the concrete curb. The final look of the curb will not be at this depth, it is to create the foundation that is needed to hold the curb in place and eliminate and sinking problems.

Lay Sand

With the trench dug into the landscape, lay down several inches of sand. This should be approximately 3 to 4 inches. This will depend on the actual height of the concrete curbing. Use a hand tamper to compact the sand, or simply use a piece of wood and a rubber mallet. Hit the wood with the mallet to compact the sand.

Set Curbing on Ground

After the sand has been compacted, you can finish the project by laying down the concrete curb pieces. Set them carefully so you do not disturb the sand underneath. Press the curbing into the ground and begin locking them together. Add some sand under the blocks as needed in order to keep everything level.