Curb and gutter is precision flatwork — straight lines, consistent profile, smooth pour. We pour curb for residential driveway edges, commercial parking lots, municipal streets, and landscape applications across Des Moines.
Curb Types
- Standard 6” barrier curb — most common residential/commercial profile
- Curb-and-gutter (24” or 30” total width) — street and parking lot drainage
- Mountable curb — driveway crossings, vehicle entries
- Roll curb — low-profile, residential subdivision standard
- Slope-back curb — used where seating or accessibility is needed
- Landscape edging curb — extruded continuous (4”–8” wide)
- ADA curb cuts — code-compliant ramps with truncated domes
Slip-Form vs Hand-Formed
Slip-form: Mechanized continuous extrusion. Best for long runs (200+ ft), parking lots, subdivisions. Faster, lower cost per linear foot.
Hand-formed: Wood-formed pours. Best for short runs, intricate curves, custom profiles, and tight access. Higher labor cost but maximum control.
We do both — quote dictates which makes sense for your scope.
Pricing
| Curb scope | Range (per linear ft) |
|---|---|
| Landscape edging (extruded, 4–6”) | $7 – $14 |
| 6” residential barrier curb | $18 – $28 |
| Standard curb + 18” gutter | $22 – $35 |
| Heavy-duty commercial curb + 30” gutter | $30 – $45 |
| ADA ramp w/ truncated domes | $400 – $800 each |
Demo of existing curb adds $8–$15 per linear ft.
Common Applications
- New construction subdivision streets
- Commercial parking lot perimeters
- Driveway entry transitions
- Landscape bed edging (continuous extruded)
- Replacement of damaged/heaved sections
- ADA upgrades for property managers
Iowa Climate Specs
- Air-entrained mix (5–7%) for freeze-thaw
- Control joints every 10 ft (standard) or 6 ft (subdivision)
- #4 rebar continuous along top and bottom on reinforced curb
- Edge sealant on top of curb for moisture/deicer protection
ADA Curb Cuts & Detectable Warnings
Every commercial curb cut we pour gets full ADA treatment: max 1:12 ramp slope, 1:48 cross slope, 36” minimum width, and a detectable warning surface (truncated domes) covering the full width of the ramp where it meets the road or driving surface. Iowa adopts the 2010 ADA Standards plus state amendments, so:
- Domes must be 0.9–1.4” base diameter, 0.45–0.9” top diameter, 0.2” tall
- Color contrast required — typically safety yellow or red against grey concrete
- Surface-applied tiles (cast-in-place mat) acceptable; we install both formats
Property managers running a metro retail center should expect to remediate at least one non-compliant curb cut in any 5+ year-old lot. We typically bid these as part of a parking lot resurface or ADA-route upgrade.
Drainage Curb Patterns We Pour
Curb-and-gutter is fundamentally a drainage system. The standard profiles we cut in slip-form or hand-form:
| Profile | Use case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type A (6” curb + 18” gutter) | Standard subdivision street | Iowa DOT standard, replicable everywhere |
| Type B (6” curb + 24” gutter) | Higher-flow streets, arterials | More gutter pan capacity |
| Roll curb | Residential subdivisions, driveway entries | Easier vehicle crossing |
| Mountable curb | Parking lot edges, low-vehicle | Lowest profile |
| Slope-back curb | ADA-accessible perimeters | Sloped face for safety |
Landscape Edging — A Different Product
Continuous extruded landscape edging is a different scope from structural curb-and-gutter. It runs $7–$14/linear ft, is poured with a slip-form extruder, and installs faster than block or steel edging. Best for tree rings, bed perimeters, driveway edges in new subdivisions, and pool surrounds. Iowa freeze-thaw still applies — we run air-entrained mix even on landscape edging.
Common Curb Failures
- Spalling at the gutter pan — chlorides from road salt plus inadequate sealer; reseal every 3 years
- Cracks at returns and transitions — joint placement misses; saw and seal
- Settlement at driveway approach — subgrade washout; lift or repour
- Curb-line vehicle damage — plow strikes, especially around parking islands; spot replace
Service Area
Curb and gutter work across Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee, Clive, Altoona, Johnston, Grimes, Pleasant Hill, Norwalk, and metro municipalities.