How to prepare your lawn for artificial turf grass installation

Making the switch from a natural grass lawn to artificial turf is one of the best decisions ever. Switching has many benefits to you, as a homeowner. For starters, artificial lawns save you a ton of money that would have gone to paying gardeners. Not having to water your natural lawns on a daily save you a bag full of money, in the long term. And, with synthetic lawns, you never again have to bother yourself with buying fertilizers, weedicides, or manure for your yards.

Fake grass is cherished for its ease of maintenance. What is more, this grass transforms your unattractive front lawns into pristine recreational spaces in a matter of days. By beautifying your living spaces, artificial grass effectively brings your property valuation up. This option is ideal for homes with pets. No more annoying muddy paw print trails after your pets are done playing in the rain outside. Finally, synthetic lawns do not get infested with invasive species. That means you will not spend a dime on hiring pest controllers.

Laying out synthetic turf is a complicated process that requires a seasoned professional for assured results. Many homeowners compare the laying out of synthetic grass to a carpet at your home. The truth, however, installing new turf on your yards is an intricate procedure that uses specialized tools and materials.

The preparation process involves a couple of main steps. These are:

1. Removing the existing natural grass lawn
This is the most tiresome part of the preparation process. Here, you will use shovels to extract any grassroots on the surface. Go for a strong weedicide such as the ones based on glyphosate to ensure you kill off all the weed traces on the soil. 2. Soil Moistening
Secondly, you water the freshly excavated ground to moisten the soil. Then, using a shovel, you proceed to turn over the soil at depths of 5 to 10 cm. This churning routine helps to stabilize the existing soil and create a better foundation for your artificial turf. 3. Erecting a Weed Barrier
Next, you design a weed barrier that takes the exact shape of your set up lawn. Cut the dimensions of your barrier to fit the turf you are planning. 4. Crushing Stones
Spreading crushed stones or sand on the lawn. At this point, you will have to use a powerful compressor to evenly spread the crushed stones and sand to level your upcoming lawn. Using the right tools, it is possible to break up the dirt clods, remove any debris, and cut off any existing roots on the surfaces you are preparing. 5. Evening the Surfaces
Add an inch of sand to smoothen the surface. Ideally, you are going for a surface that is perfectly even or one that has gentle contours. Sand helps to even out difficult terrains. Alternatively, you can use fine stone chippings to create an evenly smoothened surface to anchor your synthetic grass. If the terrain is uneven, there is a good likelihood that your turf will not only be unstable but may form water pools. 6. Cushioning the Surface
Afterward, you reinforce the prepared surfaces using spongy-like materials. The latter acts as a shock-absorber helping your turfs to cushion any impacts resulting from foot traffic on your artificial lawn. These materials transform your carpets into spongy walkways with a comfortable feel. 7. Placing the Artificial Grass
After preparing the land, it is now time to place the purchased turf in its right place. To do so, you will require to use sharp scissors to accurately trim off the excess grass. Trim the grass such that it fits perfectly in the designated spaces for a quality and professional finish. 8. Adding Silica Sand
Then, you proceed to pour silica sand over the artificial grass. Silica plays an important role in stabilizing the turf to make it last longer and be more comfortable to the users. 9. Checking on Drainage
Another important consideration is the drainage of the installed turf. Familiarize yourself with the process of infilling. Infilling basically involves the spreading of more sand to your installed turf to help guide the runoff water. Infilling allows you to create minute drainage channels using the sand. These channels serve to direct any water outside of the grass to avoid clogging and pooling concerns.

To create a picturesque yard is not a walk in the park. The land must be properly prepared before laying the turf. Different turfs require different preparation. If you fail to follow the installation guidelines, you risk destroying the expensive turf. If you do not install your turf properly, you will effectively be shortening its lifespan. The poor installation also affects its overall beauty. Always insist on a professional installation job to protect your precious long-term investment.

What to Avoid While preparing your lawn for artificial grass

There are some things that you should completely avoid when preparing the land for your artificial lawns. These include:

1. Avoid placing your turfs on poorly prepared land. Badly prepared surfaces will most certainly spoil your lawn’s appearance. Plus, such surfaces act to hasten the destruction of the costly turf.

2. Avoid leaving cracks or gaping holes on the prepared surfaces. With time, these holes will cave in due to gravity and when it does rain, water will stagnate in these crevices. Water stagnation often leads to the destruction of synthetic turf. Before placing the turf, make sure there is a proper drainage system in place to discourage the growth of moss.

Setting up an artificial turf is not as easy as many of us imagine. It is not a simple process of just laying the artificial grass over a surface and you are all done. No, it is a specialized art that requires professional hands for delightful results. If you want to do it alone, well and good. However, do not forget that there is an excellent chance that you will get something wrong. Your seemingly simple mistake, however, might end up costing you a fortune to replace the damaged turf.

Hire a seasoned installer who has the right tools and expertise to transform your natural lawn into an artificial masterpiece worth beholding. An experienced turf grass installer will guide you on not only the installation of the synthetic grass, but they will play a crucial role in helping you choose the best quality carpets for your yards.