It might be hard to know when your Edmonton artificial grass needs to be worked on and restored compared to a total replacement. However, we are here to support you with this quick and handy guide.
ON-SITE ASSESSMENT
Whether or not it is a synthetic lawn which can endure long beyond its warranty or a sports turf field, it’s essential to check some of the following items to check for wear and tear. Having a turf assessed by an expert is ideal.
POOR DRAINAGE
One of the first indications of inadequate drainage can be observed with standing water on the turf surface. Even though this doesn’t suggest that the artificial turf requires replacement but needs to be looked into or correctly maintained over the lifetime of the artificial turf, then it can be fixed during replacement. If you see puddling, this might show signs of an issue or dips with the sub-base system. More commonly you will discover that water will dislodge the turf infill which causes the turf to collapse as the water mats the fibers. This could occur where downspouts are placed as well as areas of water runoff.
SURFACE DAMAGE
If your artificial turf is close to the end of its lifecycle, you might begin seeing deterioration or other damage as a result of UV. Be sure to periodically check your artificial surface for damage as a result of pets or wildlife and occasionally even lawn mowers. Additionally, damage from fires, rough weather, or other mishaps can influence a turf’s integrity.
STAINS & ODORS
Paint or oil spills may be especially tricky to manage on artificial grass if not washed right away, leading to permanent damage. Lead-based paint isn’t removable from synthetic surfaces. If you own a pet that uses the lawn, it is advised to do daily cleaning to make sure it looks great and smell free. Check out our cleaning guide here. If you are dealing with turf that has been overlooked, replacing it might be necessary.
FADED & MATTED SURFACE
UV exposure over the years is one of the biggest contributors to turf damage. High-quality turf is treated with UV stabilizers, but once these stabilizers are consumed several years after installation, you might observe discoloration and areas where the turf becomes matted because of UV and heavy traffic. If the surface is not regularly expertly maintained as part of standard maintenance, it will be tricky to restore the turf every year.
INFILL COMPACTIONS
After a while, infill can begin to compact, exactly like soil does. If artificial grass is not regularly maintained, it can cause the surface becoming stiff and compacted. Walk across the turf to feel for sections that are abnormally stiff. Having an artificial grass professional test the surface hardness with a testing tool such as GMAX is the only way to figure out how compact the surface is. These systems will drop a weight that contains an accelerometer from a fixed height to determine deceleration, AKA how rapidly the weight stops once it strikes the surface.
INFILL MEASUREMENTS
With heavy rainfall or pedestrian traffic, infill materials will often start to migrate away from the surface. It’s important to maintain your infill depth over 20mm to keep the grass leaves standing and the artificial grass working the way it should. Artificial turf that loses a large portion of infill will lead to even more surface matting. It is very likely you just have to have an infill refill as opposed to a total turf replacement, so be sure to talk to an expert.
GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY
Southwest Greens' oldest installations are more than 20 years old and have maintained the rich green color and texture of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant synthetic grass products look and function like new because they are built to withstand heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and temperature ups and downs for all-year use.
All installations come complete with a one-year warranty on workmanship and manufacturer's warranty that covers fading. Our synthetic turf is developed to be used and is perfect for heavy use areas or for long-term sporting fields. Contact Southwest Greens of Western Canada today if you’re prepared to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We’re delighted to offer a no cost consultation.