Installation of Brick Pavers, Retaining Walls and Driveways
The most important part of a landscape project is the installation. How it is done and the material used will decide whether it will last or not. At Tango Landscapes we use our own specs to control quality and ensure longevity. Our workmanship and use of quality materials, along with a professional design, is the combination that has made "Tango" mean quality and value for over a decade. The base material used in our projects is state certified which means it is free of debris; such as asphalt, glass, rebar, and dirt; which can cause settlement over time. Our stone is also angler cut to lock together and compact properly which forces the air cavities out of the base.
The next step is the dig depth of the project and for walkways or small retaining walls we provide a 12 inch base. This means 8 to 10 inches of stone and 1 to 2 inches of slag sand or 2ns sand as a leveling base. Raised patios or structural walls receive a 12 to 16 inch base. All driveway installs are given a 16 inch to 2 foot base depending on soil conditions.
The last step in our process is to install a geo textile blanket that will trap our base material from working in to the sub base. This is very important in Michigan because of the freeze thaw of our winters. The sides of the brick pavers or the border are retained by a Portland cement edging of 6 to 8 inches. A ½ inch rebar can be added to drive ways or high traffic areas to strengthen the bond of the edge restraint. Using the right glue can also make a difference in the bond of retaining walls and steps. We use a landscape block adhesive that is waterproof and forms a solid bond between the block and cap. There are two types of sand that can be used on the top of the brick pavers, one is your standard sweeping sand the other is called polymeric sand. This sand is designed to stop erosion, prevent moss, and keep insects from penetrating the gaps of sand in the pavers. The use of this sand is important around pools and areas that have heavy slopes.
Tango uses and distributes Hanson Hard scape Products directly from Canada. Their product line and colors are the best in the industry, providing a lifetime warranty and hands on customer support. We are an authorized installer of their products and have been featured in there literature and advertizing.
Installation of Trees and Shrubs
With landscape planting the key factor is to remove and amend the clay base that most homes have in Michigan. To do this you must introduce a sand and topsoil mix closer to the soil where most trees and shrubs are grown. Another factor is the drainage of the access water from irrigation and run off from rainwater. Some projects require pea gravel or soc drains to move the water away from the root ball of the plant.
The last matter of importance is the quality of the plant material. All wholesale nurseries and suppliers have at last two grades of material; first is a low grade or reject material from the grower, and second is quality grade material sold to retail and landscape contractors. Low end plant material may be smaller than it should be or have structure issues with the trunk or spread.
At Tango Landscapes we only install top quality trees and shrubs from the best suppliers in the industry. Another tip is to burlap your shrubs in the winter to prevent wind damage that may burn or kill evergreen plants. The last and most important part is the spacing of the plants. They must given enough room to grow over a 5 year minimum spre