You want convenience, right? Maybe not in every aspect of life, but it’s nice to have an easy-to-maintain backyard – especially if you weren’t blessed with a green thumb. For this reason, you might be considering artificial turf.
Artificial turf is growing in popularity. Although there is no statistics for gardens, 15 of the NFL stadiums use artificial grass for their fields. There are many more synthetic fields across high schools, municipal parks, and universities. So, it’s clear that the convenience of such grass has been accepted.
But there are some issues you need to be aware of before installing it into your yard. Three of the most common problems to avoid have been listed below:
Ignoring Drainage Requirements
One of the most critical mistakes to avoid is ignoring the drainage requirements. Unlike natural grass, the synthetic alternative isn’t inherently absorbent. This means it requires a prepared base to stop water from accumulating. Without proper drainage, there’s the risk of your project turning into a soggy and smelly mess.
To avoid artificial turf drainage failures, proper site preparation is required. There are three key steps to this. First, remove three to four inches of existing soil. This will create enough space for the drainage sub-base. Then create a slight slope. You can do this by building a slight slope – roughly 1% to 2% - which will guide water away from buildings. Finally, remove any soft spots by backfilling them with aggregate.
Of course, the sub-base preparation is also important here, but that will be discussed in the next point.
Poor Sub-Base Preparation
An improperly prepared sub-base also causes drainage failures. But this directly causes structural issues and rapid degradation. The ground would settle unevenly over time, and it could even be unstable when walked on. As a result, the lifespan of the lawn would be reduced to just a few years. And – as you can imagine – this would be an expensive problem to resolve.
So, it’s best to avoid poor sub-base preparation altogether. Using the correct drainage materials helps. Clear crushed stone – approximately three to four inches – as the primary base. It will allow water to pass through. Then compact the layers with a vibrating plate compacter, not just a roller. Do this in two to three layers to ensure the entire depth is solid.
Skipping the Weed Barrier
While some people think there’s no need for the weed barrier, this is wrong. The weed barrier is essential. Skipping it could undermine the main benefits of synthetic grass. You’d need to maintain the lawn more, and the appearance wouldn’t be as good as you’d expect it to be.
Installing a high-quality, permeable geotextile membrane is a must. This should go directly onto the soil before adding base aggregate. Of the edges, 100mm to 150mm must overlap. You’ll want to use landscape staples or turf nails to hold the membrane securely to the ground. Use six-inch staples or nails for this job.
To conclude, installing artificial grass can be tricky. It doesn’t have to be, though. If you prepare well enough and work to avoid these issues, you’ll have good results at the end of the project.
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