It can be difficult to be sure when your Albuquerque synthetic grass only needs maintenance and freshened up compared to a full replacement. However, we’re here to assist you with this quick and easy guide.
ON-SITE EVALUATION
Whether it’s a synthetic yard which can last long past its warranty or a sports turf field, it is crucial to consider some of the following points to look for wear. Having an artificial turf assessed for the following by an expert is ideal.
INADEQUATE DRAINAGE
One of the earliest signs of inadequate drainage can be observed with standing water on the turf. Although this does not indicate that the synthetic turf is needing replacement but needs to be corrected or correctly maintained during the life of the turf, then it can be addressed during replacement. If you see pooling, this may indicate an issue or dips with the sub-base system. More often you will find that water will move around the turf infill which causes the turf to collapse as the water mats the fibers. This could happen where downspouts are located as well as .
SURFACE DAMAGE
If your artificial turf is close to the end of its life, you might begin seeing degradation or other damage caused by UV. Make sure to frequently check your artificial surface for damage due to pets or wildlife and sometimes even lawn mowers. In addition, damage from fire, inclement weather, or other incidents can influence a turf’s lifespan.
STAINS & ODORS
Paint and oil spills may be especially complicated to handle on synthetic turf if not washed immediately, leading to permanent damage. Lead-based paint is not removable from artificial surfaces. If you own a pet who uses the yard, it’s advised to do frequent cleaning to ensure it looks beautiful and odor free. Take a look at our cleaning guide here. If you’re dealing with turf that has been ignored, replacement could be your best bet.
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 once these stabilizers are consumed numerous years after installing your turf, you might see a color change and sections where the turf becomes matted down due to UV and regular traffic. If the surface is not occasionally professionally maintained as part of standard maintenance, it will be more difficult to revive the turf over time.
INFILL COMPACTIONS
Over time, infill could begin to compact, much like soil does. If artificial grass is not regularly maintained, it can cause the surface getting stiff and compacted. Walk on the turf to feel for areas that are abnormally hard. Having an synthetic turf pro test the surface hardness with a testing tool such as GMAX is the only way to know how compact the surface could be. These systems will drop a weight that contains an accelerometer from a known height to figure out deceleration, AKA how fast the weight stops once it hits the surface.
INFILL MEASUREMENTS
With heavy rain or foot traffic, infill materials will usually began to migrate away from the surface. It’s important to maintain your infill depth over 20mm to keep the turf blades standing upright and the synthetic grass working the way it should. Synthetic turf that has lost a large amount of infill will lead to even more surface matting. It is quite possible you just have to have an infill refresh as opposed to a complete turf replacement, so ensure you discuss a professional.
GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY
Southwest Greens' oldest installations are 20 years old or older and have kept the rich green color and texture of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and function just like new because they’re engineered to endure heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and temperature ups and downs for year-round use.
All installations come complete with a one-year workmanship warranty and manufacturer's warranty that covers fading. Our artificial turf is designed to be used and is perfect for heavy use areas or for long-term sporting uses. Contact Southwest Greens of New Mexico now if you’re ready to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We’re glad to provide you with a no cost consultation.