October 25, 2022

It might be tough to know when your Augusta artificial grass only needs to be worked on and restored versus a full replacement. Don’t worry, we’re here to support you with this easy and complete guide.

 

ON-SITE EVALUATION

Whether or not it is an artificial lawn which can endure long past its warranty or a sports turf field, it is critical to check some of the following points to search for damage and signs of age. Having a turf assessed by an expert is ideal.

 

BAD DRAINAGE

One of the first indications of poor drainage could be seen with standing water on the grass surface. Even though this does not suggest that the artificial turf needs replacement but should be corrected or properly maintained during the lifetime of the turf, then it can be corrected when it's replaced. If you see pooling, this may show signs of an issue or dips with the sub-base system. More regularly you will learn that water will dislodge the turf infill making the turf to lay down as the water mats the fibers. This could happen where downspouts are located as well as areas of water runoff.

 

SURFACE DAMAGE

If your turf is nearing the end of its lifecycle, you might start observing deterioration or other damage as a result of ultraviolet light. Be sure to occasionally check your synthetic surface for damage due to pets or wild animals and occasionally even lawn mowers. Moreover, damage from backyard fires, bad weather, or other incidents can impact a turf’s condition.

 

STAINS & ODORS

Paint and oil spills could be particularly difficult to handle on synthetic grass if not dealt with immediately, leading to lasting damage. Lead-based paint is not removable from artificial surfaces. If you own a pet who uses the yard, it is preferred to do daily cleaning to make sure it looks great and smell free. Check out our cleaning guide here. If you are working with turf that has been overlooked, replacing it might be the only option.

 

FADED & MATTED SURFACE

UV exposure for many years is one of the biggest contributors to turf wear. High-quality artificial turf is treated with UV stabilizers, but once these stabilizers are depleted many years after installing your turf, you may notice a color change and sections where the turf becomes matted From UV and heavy traffic. If the surface isn’t periodically expertly maintained as part of standard maintenance, it will be tricky to restore the grass over time.

 

INFILL COMPACTIONS

After a while, infill might begin to compact, much like soil does. If artificial turf is not regularly maintained, it can result in the surface getting hard and compacted. Walk through the grass to feel for sections that are abnormally hard. Having an synthetic turf expert test the surface hardness with a testing tool similar to GMAX is the only way to determine how compacted the surface actually is. These systems will drop a weight that has an accelerometer from a established height to determine deceleration, AKA how rapidly the weight stops once it strikes the surface.

 

INFILL MEASUREMENTS

With heavy rain or foot traffic, infill materials will often began to wash off the surface. It is essential to maintain your infill depth over 20mm to keep the grass blades standing tall and the turf working the way it was designed. Artificial turf that loses a large portion of infill will lead to additional surface matting. It’s likely you just require an infill refill as opposed to a whole turf replacement, so ensure you talk to a pro.

 

GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY

Southwest Greens' first installations are 20 years old or older and have kept the deep green texture and color of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant synthetic grass products look and work just like new because they are engineered to stand up to heavy traffic, harsh weather conditions, and temperature fluctuations for year-round use.


All installations come complete with a one-year warranty on workmanship and manufacturer's warranty that protects against fading. Our artificial turf is manufactured to be used and is perfect for busy areas or for long-term sporting uses. Contact Southwest Greens of Augusta now if you’re ready to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We are glad to provide you with a no cost consultation.