If you’ve invested in landscape borders only to find them shifting, sinking, or separating over time, you’re not alone. Understanding why borders shift helps you avoid the problem altogether and ensures your edging lasts for decades. AE Landscape Borders installs decorative concrete edging designed to stay put, but even the best materials can move if certain installation factors are overlooked.
What Causes Landscape Borders to Shift?
Border movement rarely happens without reason. Here are the six most common culprits behind shifting landscape edging:
1. Poor ground preparation. If the base isn’t properly compacted or leveled before installation, the border has nothing solid to rest on. Loose soil settles over time, taking the edging with it.
2. Inadequate foundation depth. Shallow installations are prone to heaving during freeze-thaw cycles. In colder climates, frost can push borders upward or outward if they’re not set deep enough below the frost line.
3. Water drainage issues. When water pools along the base of your edging, it erodes soil and creates voids underneath. This undermining leads to sinking and tilting, especially after heavy rains.
4. Tree root growth. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs can push against borders as they expand. Over several seasons, even small roots can exert surprising force and displace edging sections.
5. Thin or weak materials. Plastic and metal edging often lack the structural integrity to resist pressure from soil, roots, or foot traffic. They bend, buckle, or pull apart at joints much more easily than concrete.
6. Poor-quality installation work. Rushed jobs, inexperienced crews, or cutting corners on materials all lead to premature failure. Proper installation makes the difference between borders that last a lifetime and those that need replacement in a few years.
How Does Proper Installation Prevent Shifting?
Professional concrete curbing installation addresses each of these causes systematically. AE Landscape Borders prepares the ground with compacted base material and ensures proper depth for your climate zone.
The concrete itself provides significant advantages. At several inches thick, decorative concrete borders resist root pressure and soil movement far better than flexible alternatives. The continuous pour eliminates weak joints where sections can separate.
Proper drainage considerations are built into the installation process. Slopes are accounted for, and any existing drainage issues are discussed upfront. This attention to water flow prevents the erosion that causes many border failures.
Choosing the right border pattern also depends on your garden layout and the specific challenges your landscape presents. Experienced installers know how to work around obstacles like sprinkler systems and tree roots without compromising the edging’s stability.
Can You Fix Borders That Have Already Shifted?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Minor settling might be correctable by adding fill material and re-leveling surrounding soil. But if the shift resulted from fundamental installation problems or material failure, patching rarely provides a lasting solution.
Plastic edging that’s buckled or separated typically can’t be effectively repaired. Metal edging that’s bent loses its shape permanently. In these cases, replacement with a more durable material makes more sense than repeated repairs.
Decorative concrete edging from AE Landscape Borders comes with a lifetime warranty precisely because proper installation prevents the shifting issues that plague other materials. When borders are installed correctly from the start, the question of fixing shifts becomes largely irrelevant.
What Should You Look for in an Edging Installer?
Ask about ground preparation methods and foundation depth. A quality installer will explain their process and why these steps matter for long-term stability.
Look for companies with strong local reputations and verified customer reviews. AE Landscape Borders has hundreds of five-star reviews because they handle the details that prevent border failure.
Warranties matter too. A lifetime warranty on the curbing shows confidence in both materials and installation quality. Companies that don’t stand behind their work typically won’t offer that level of protection.
Finally, ask how they handle common complications like existing sprinkler lines, tree roots, or uneven terrain. Experienced crews have solutions for these challenges that preserve both your landscape and your edging’s integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does decorative concrete edging last?
When properly installed, concrete landscape borders can last indefinitely. AE Landscape Borders offers a lifetime warranty on their curbing, which reaches full strength within 28 days of installation and is designed to withstand decades of weather, soil movement, and typical landscape conditions.
Will tree roots damage concrete borders?
Concrete borders are significantly more resistant to root pressure than plastic or metal alternatives. While extremely aggressive root systems might eventually affect any edging, proper installation depth and thickness help concrete curbing resist displacement that would quickly ruin lighter materials.
Can shifting borders damage my sprinkler system?
Yes, if borders shift significantly, they can break or misalign underground sprinkler lines. This is another reason why stable, well-installed edging matters. Professional installers locate and work around existing irrigation to prevent these problems.
If you’re tired of landscape edging that won’t stay in place, or you’re planning new borders and want them done right the first time, contact AE Landscape Borders for a free onsite estimate. Their experienced crews serve homeowners throughout the Midwest and Southeast with decorative concrete curbing that’s built to last.
