It can be hard to be sure when your Huntsville synthetic grass only needs to be worked on and freshened up versus a total replacement. However, we’re here to support you with this quick and handy guide.
ON-SITE ASSESSMENT
Whether or not it is an artificial grass which can endure long past its warranty or a sports turf field, it’s critical to consider some of the following things to check for wear. Having a synthetic turf professional assess the following is best.
INADEQUATE DRAINAGE
One of the primary signs of poor drainage could be viewed with standing water on the turf. Although this does not show that the artificial turf is needing replacement but needs to be looked into or correctly maintained during the life of the turf, then it can be addressed during replacement. If you notice puddling, this might indicate an issue or dips with the sub-base system. More commonly you will learn that water will move around the turf infill making the turf to collapse as the water mats the fibers. This can happen where downspouts are placed as well as water run off areas.
SURFACE DAMAGE
If your synthetic turf is approaching the end of its lifecycle, you might begin seeing degradation or other damage as a result of ultraviolet light. Be certain to regularly check your synthetic surface for damage caused by pets or wild animals and occasionally even lawn mowers. In addition, damage from backyard fires, rough weather, or other mishaps can influence a turf’s condition.
STAINS & ODORS
Paint and oil spills may be especially tricky to manage on synthetic turf if not cleaned immediately, leading to irreparable damage. Lead-based paint is not removable from artificial surfaces. If you own a pet using the lawn, it is best to do regular cleaning to make sure it looks great and stink free. Look at our cleaning guide here. If you are working with turf that’s been neglected, replacing it might be necessary.
FADED & MATTED SURFACE
Years of UV exposure is one of the main contributors to turf wear. High-quality synthetic turf is treated with UV stabilizers, but as these stabilizers are depleted many years after installation, you might see discoloration and sections where the grass becomes matted down From UV and frequent traffic. If the surface is not regularly professionally maintained as part of normal maintenance, it will be harder to revive the turf every year.
INFILL COMPACTIONS
After a while, infill could start to compact, much like soil does. If artificial grass is not frequently maintained, it can result in the surface getting stiff and compacted. Walk across the turf to feel for sections that are oddly hard. Having an synthetic grass pro test the surface hardness with a testing system similar to GMAX is the only way to figure out how compacted the surface might be. These devices will drop a weight that includes an accelerometer from a fixed height to figure out deceleration, AKA how quickly the weight stops once it hits the surface.
INFILL MEASUREMENTS
With heavy rainfall or foot traffic, infill materials will naturally began to migrate away from the surface. It is important to keep your infill depth over 20mm to keep the grass leaves standing tall and the turf working the way it should. Artificial turf that loses a substantial portion of infill will lead to even more surface matting. It is likely you just need an infill refill rather than a whole turf replacement, so make sure to discuss a pro.
GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY
Southwest Greens' first installations are more than 20 years old and have kept the deep green texture and color of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and work like new because they are built to stand up to heavy traffic, harsh weather conditions, and temperature ups and downs for all-year use.
All installations come with a one-year warranty on workmanship and manufacturer's warranty that covers fading. Our synthetic grass is manufactured to be used and is highly recommended in heavy use areas or for long-term sporting uses. Contact Southwest Greens of Huntsville now if you’re prepared to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We are glad to give you a no cost consultation.