How edging is supposed to work
Correctly installed edging or kerbing sits on a firm foundation and is haunched — backed with a wedge of concrete behind it — so that it can resist the outward pressure of the paving pushing against it from vehicle loading.
Without that concrete haunch doing the resisting, the edging is only as strong as whatever soil is sitting behind it, which isn't much once it's wet.
Why edging fails
The most common cause by far is edging laid without proper concrete haunching in the first place — a corner cut that isn't visible once the job is finished and only shows up months or years later.
Other contributing causes include tree roots pushing from behind, ground erosion from poor surface drainage washing soil away behind the kerb, and simple age as older mortar joints between kerb units weaken.
Spotting it before it gets worse
Push against the edging with your foot along its length. Any give, rocking or leaning is a sign the haunching behind it has failed or was never there.
Check the joint lines in the paving nearest the edge — if they're wider than the joints in the middle of the driveway, the field has already started to spread into the gap the failing edge has created.
- Edging that rocks or leans when pushed: haunching has failed or is missing
- Cracked or crumbling kerb units: age, frost damage, or poor original materials
- Widening joints in the paving nearest the edge: spreading has already started
- Edging pushed up or tilted from behind: root growth or ground movement
The correct repair
A lasting fix means excavating behind the affected edging, removing any loose or root-disturbed soil, resetting the kerb or edge units on a firm base, and haunching them properly with concrete to resist future lateral loading.
If the field paving nearest the edge has already spread, those courses need lifting and relaying tightly against the restored edge, not just left as they are.
Why leaving it costs more later
A failing edge on its own is a relatively small, contained repair. Left long enough, the paving behind it spreads further, joints open across a wider area, and what would have been an edge repair becomes a much larger relay.
Frequently asked questions
Can edging be repaired without lifting the paving?+
If caught early and the field hasn't spread, yes. Once the paving nearest the edge has moved, that section usually needs lifting too.
Why did my edging fail so soon after installation?+
It's a strong sign the concrete haunching wasn't done properly, or was skipped, when the driveway was originally laid.
Do gravel driveways need edging too?+
Yes — without a firm restraint, gravel migrates outward and onto lawns or paths, especially near gateways and turning points.
Is cracked kerbing always a structural problem?+
Not always — surface cracking from frost or age can be cosmetic if the kerb is still firmly seated. Movement or rocking is the sign it's structural.
Is edge repair covered by your guarantee?+
Yes, repair work we carry out is covered under our 10-Year Guarantee.
Caught your edging moving early?
That's the best time to deal with it. Call 0191 743 3072 and we'll assess it before it spreads any further.