The Maintenance I Should Expect With Artificial Turf

With the amount of chores and maintenance that are eliminated with the installation of artificial turf, many investors are left with the question of what maintenance they should actually expect with their turf lawn. The short answer to that question is that artificial turf requires little to no maintenance, however, it does require some sporadic upkeep.

One of the biggest reasons that homeowners invest in artificial turf is the elimination of tiresome yard chores. Homeowners love that they get all of the aesthetics without all of the hard work. Like most big investments, however, you do have to do some occasional maintenance to ensure that your artificial turf lawn functions at it’s best.

Below are a few maintenance chores that you should expect with artificial turf…

Spraying Your Turf

One major advantage of artificial turf is that you conserve tons of water. Turf simply doesn’t require sprinkler systems or constant hosing in order to survive and thrive. That being said, it’s recommended that you spray off your artificial turf from time to time to help remove excess pollen and dirt. Spraying your turf is also helpful in warm and dry climates, as artificial turf can hold heat and become very hot. Another reason to spray every once in a while is that it helps your turf lawn stabilize and stay in place better and longer.

Pick Up After Your Pets

If you allow your pets to go to the bathroom on your artificial lawn, it will become routine maintenance to remove pet waste. Unlike natural sod lawns where it may eventually dissipate, pet waste does have to be physically removed from an artificial turf surface. If you let waste linger, odors and stains can overtake your turf lawn, so it’s vital to keep your yard maintained and free of pet waste.

Brushing

Natural sod lawns often experience heavy foot traffic, which eventually has to be addressed by filling divots or brown patches with dirt. Artificial turf, although it can sustain heavy foot traffic without resulting in divots and uneven foundation, does need to be maintained. Brushing is recommended in order to keep your turf lawn from dipping or flattening. When you decide to brush, remember to only brush a dry yard and only use a synthetic bristle brush. Wire or metal bristles are frowned upon because they can damage artificial turf fibers.

Cleaning Up Leaks and Spills

Just because you lawn is artificial, doesn’t mean that spills aren’t real. Oil leaks, gas spills, and paint drippings are common around homes, yet if they occur on artificial turf they will need to be cleaned up immediately. Artificial turf is practically stain resistant with most spills being able to be absorbed or sprayed off quickly. Depending on the type of spill, you may need to do additional work to remove stains. You may need to use detergent or ammonia to make sure your turf lawn is kept in pristine condition.

Rake It Away

For homes with lawns that are surrounded by trees and shrubbery, you may experience an excessive amount of leaves and natural debris on your turf lawn. For instances like these, you’ll need to rake or bag that debris in order to keep your lawn looking clean!

Freezing

Depending on the proximity of trees to your artificial lawn, your may encounter sap drippings on your artificial turf. Sap drippings can be sticky and hard to remove from artificial turf. The best way to maintain and salvage your turf from these drippings is to freeze those spots. You’ll need to buy refrigerant cleaning solvents, which will help you to remove these spots without damaging your turf landscape. Also if children use your lawn, you may experience gum on your lawn, which you can also treat by freezing.

Artificial Turf Education

Once you install your artificial turf, remember to get recommendations on maintenance products for your investment. You want to make sure you educate yourself on the risks associated with losing your warranty if it is not properly maintained. You want to make sure that you do not use any non-approved chemicals on your lawn. Just by making sure you stay up to date on your artificial turf education, you can save yourself time and money down the line.