It might be hard to be sure when your synthetic grass only needs to be worked on and freshened up versus a complete replacement. However, we are here to help with this quick and handy guide.
ON-SITE EVALUATION
Whether it’s a synthetic lawn that can survive long past its warranty or a sports turf field, it’s essential to consider some of the following items to look for wear. Having a turf professional assess the following is ideal.
BAD DRAINAGE
One of the primary signs of inadequate drainage can be viewed with standing water on the grass surface. Even though this doesn’t suggest that the synthetic turf needs replacement but needs to be looked into or properly maintained throughout the lifetime of the synthetic turf, then it can be handled when it's replaced. If you see puddling, this may show signs of an issue or dips with the sub-base system. More commonly you will learn that water will displace the turf infill causing the turf to flatten as the water will mat the fibers. This could happen where downspouts are situated as well as .
SURFACE DAMAGE
If your artificial turf is approaching the end of its lifecycle, you might start observing degradation or other damage due to ultraviolet light. Be certain to regularly check your artificial surface for damage due to pets or wildlife and sometimes even lawn mowers. In addition, damage from fire, rough weather, or other mishaps can influence a turf’s integrity.
STAINS & ODORS
Paint or oil spills could be especially difficult to manage on synthetic grass if not cleaned immediately, leading to permanent damage. Lead-based paint isn’t removable from artificial surfaces. If you own a pet that uses the grass, it is best to do daily cleaning to ensure it looks beautiful and stink free. Look at our cleaning guide here. If you’re dealing with synthetic turf that has been neglected, replacing it may be necessary.
FADED & MATTED SURFACE
UV exposure for many years is one of the greatest causes of turf damage. High-quality synthetic turf is treated with UV stabilizers, but over time, these stabilizers are depleted several years after installing your turf, you might observe a color change and sections where the grass becomes matted down From UV and frequent traffic. If the surface isn’t regularly expertly maintained as part of regular maintenance, it will be tricky to restore the grass year after year.
INFILL COMPACTIONS
Over the years, infill could begin to compact, exactly like soil does. If artificial grass is not occasionally maintained, it can cause the surface becoming hard and compacted. Walk through the turf to feel for sections that are oddly stiff. Having an synthetic grass pro test the surface hardness with a testing tool similar to GMAX is the only way to determine how compacted the surface is. These systems will drop a weight that contains an accelerometer from a known height to ascertain deceleration, AKA how rapidly the weight stops once it impacts the surface.
INFILL MEASUREMENTS
With excessive rain or pedestrian traffic, infill materials will often began to move off the surface. It is essential to maintain your infill depth over 20mm to keep the grass leaves standing and the turf working the way it should. Artificial grass that has lost a substantial quantity of infill will lead to additional surface matting. It is quite possible you just need an infill refresh rather than a whole turf replacement, so make sure to discuss a pro.
GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY
Southwest Greens' first installations are at least 20 years old and have maintained the natural green texture and color of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant artificial grass products look and work just like new because they’re built to endure heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and temperature ups and downs for all-year use.
All installations come with a complete one-year workmanship warranty and manufacturer's warranty that covers fading. Our synthetic grass is developed to be used and is great for high-traffic areas or for long-term sporting purposes. Contact Southwest Greens today if you’re ready to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We are happy to give you a no cost consultation.