A lot of Albuquerque property owners adore artificial grass for its ability to stand up to harsh weather and emerge from winter looking great. You don’t have to stress out about frost destroying your turf, but there are a handful of steps to take during winter to ensure your synthetic grass is in its greatest condition for spring. Read on to learn more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Let’s kick it off with a handful of the top questions we get as we install synthetic grass in Albuquerque. Particularly, questions about caring for your turf in the over the winter.
WHAT DOES SNOWFALL DO TO ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Ice shouldn’t have a major impact on your artificial turf. It is totally fine to walk or play on it if there is a covering of snow. The blades may mat down under the weight of the ice, but it usually bounces back up on its own or, in some cases, with a tiny bit of extra help from a power broom. Snow will not alter the color or damage the synthetic yard.
WILL FROST DAMAGE MY ARTIFICIAL TURF?
No, frost won’t harm artificial grass. The turf blades do experience freezing in extreme conditions, walking on it through the winter would not cause any problems. When spring comes and there’s no additional forecast of frost, you can use a firm broom to help it back to life.
DO I HAVE TO COVER MY SYNTHETIC TURF?
You don’t need to cover your grass, but you certainly can if an abnormally rough winter is anticipated in Albuquerque. Just keep in mind that you will not need to cover areas that are being used because ice can make tarps slippery and unsafe to walk on.
CAN I SHOVEL SNOW OFF SYNTHETIC GRASS?
No, you should avoid shoveling snow off your artificial grass except when totally necessary. If you must clean a path, go with a handheld blower to remove any debris or snow.
CAN I USE SALT OR ICE MELT ON MY TURF?
You should under no circumstances use any ice melt salt on your turf. Salt can clog up the drains in the backing system and adversely impact your lawn’s drainage ability. The corrosive salt and chemicals can also break down the backing system, resulting in turf blades that start separating from the backing. We firmly advise you to let snow melt by itself for the desired results.
WILL SNOW MELT FASTER ON SYNTHETIC TURF?
Synthetic turf surfaces can be warmer than organic grass, that means that 1-2 inches of snow will melt faster than it would on organic turf. Because synthetic turf is evenly spread, it allows improved aeration to accelerate the snow-melting process.
DOES ARTIFICIAL TURF GET ICY?
Not necessarily, however, much like regular grass, some artificial surfaces can get slippery when ice forms. Thus, you must use the same caution you do stepping on any wintery surface, especially if Albuquerque has been experiencing freezing rain.
WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE BEFORE SNOWFALL?
You should certainly do a nice fall maintenance routine before any snowfall. Getting rid of natural materials like leaves, branches, etc., are crucial. You can check out our full walkthrough for cleaning your artificial yard to get details on what to do. Performing Southwest Greens maintenance in the spring is always a great time, making sure your surface is ready for the warmer months to arrive.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Ask our experts! We’re delighted to respond any questions you may have about maintaining your wonderful yard. Contact us right now with your questions or concerns.