October 25, 2022

It may be hard to know when your Charlotte artificial grass just needs to be worked on and restored as opposed to a complete replacement. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with this easy and complete guide.

 

ON-SITE ASSESSMENT

If it’s an artificial lawn that can endure long past its warranty or a sports turf field, it’s crucial to check some of the following things to search for damage and signs of age. Having a synthetic turf professional assess the following is ideal.

 

INADEQUATE DRAINAGE

One of the earliest indications of poor drainage can be observed with standing water on the grass. Although this does not indicate that the turf is needing replacement but should be fixed or properly maintained during the lifetime of the artificial turf, then it can be corrected when it's replaced. If you notice puddling, this might indicate a problem or dips with the sub-base system. More regularly you will discover that water will move around the turf infill which causes the turf to collapse as the water will mat the fibers. This could be seen where downspouts are located as well as water run off areas.

 

SURFACE DAMAGE

If your artificial turf is approaching the end of its life, you might start seeing deterioration or other damage caused by UV. Make sure to occasionally check your synthetic surface for damage caused by pets or pests and even lawn mowers. Additionally, damage from fire, rough weather, or other mishaps can influence a turf’s condition.

 

STAINS & ODORS

Paint and oil spills can be particularly difficult to handle on artificial grass if not cleaned right away, leading to lasting damage. Lead-based paint is not removable from synthetic surfaces. If you have a pet who uses the lawn, it is preferred to do daily cleaning to ensure it looks great and odor free. Look at our cleaning guide here. If you are dealing with synthetic turf that has been ignored, replacement could be necessary.

 

FADED & MATTED SURFACE

Years of UV exposure is one of the primary contributors to turf wear. High-quality synthetic turf is treated with UV stabilizers, but over time, these stabilizers are depleted many years after installation, you may notice discoloration and areas where the turf becomes matted down because of UV and frequent traffic. If the surface is not occasionally professionally maintained as part of normal maintenance, it will be harder to revitalize the turf over time.

 

INFILL COMPACTIONS

Over the years, infill might start to compact, exactly like soil does. If artificial grass is not occasionally maintained, it can lead to the surface becoming stiff and compacted. Walk through the grass to feel for sections that are unusually stiff. Having an synthetic grass expert test the surface hardness with a testing system similar to GMAX is the only way to find out how compacted the surface is. These systems will drop a weight that contains an accelerometer from a established height to ascertain deceleration, AKA how quickly the weight stops once it impacts the surface.

 

INFILL MEASUREMENTS

With heavy rainfall or pedestrian traffic, infill materials will naturally start to move away from the surface. It is important to maintain your infill depth over 20mm to keep the turf leaves standing tall and the synthetic grass working the way it should. Synthetic grass that loses a large amount of infill will lead to more surface matting. It is quite possible you just have to have an infill refill as opposed to a complete turf replacement, so be sure to talk to a pro.

 

GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY

Southwest Greens' oldest installations are more than 20 years old and have maintained the deep green color and texture of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant synthetic turf products look and function just like new because they’re engineered to withstand heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and temperature ups and downs for year-round use.


All installations come have a complete one-year warranty on workmanship and manufacturer's warranty covering fading. Our artificial grass is designed to be used and is great for high-traffic areas or for long-term sporting uses. Contact Southwest Greens Charlotte now if you’re ready to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We are happy to give you a free consultation.