How To Installation Artificail Turf

Installation Steps

PART I Preparing the Area

1. Remove the top level of soil. If installing the lawn over soil, dig up the top 3 or 4 inches (7.5–10 centimeters) of sod to make room for the new base. Remove all existing grass and other plants, or they may create an uneven surface after they die.

2. Plan your drainage and Cap Sprinkler. Installations over well-draining soil should have few issues with drainage, as the artificial grass should be permeable to water, and the aggregate base described below provides an additional drainage layer. Cap your sprinkler or valve is necessary for your next step. 

3. Install a border. Install a waterproof border along the perimeter if one is not already present, in order to keep the lawn from slumping or separating over time. A plastic bender board is a common, effective option 

· If you're interested in a more involved overhaul, you can pour a concrete curb around the area instead.

· Make sure the border won't protrude above the grass level, or it may inhibit drainage.

PART II Installing the Base

1. Add the base material. Purchase fine crushed rock, gravel, or decomposed granite, with particles under ⅜" (10 mm). Fill the excavated area with about three to four inches (7.5–10 cm) of this material to prevent slumping and improve drainage. 

· You'll need approximately one cubic yard of material for each 100 square feet of lawn (0.82 cubic meters per 10 square meters). The information available for your specific product may provide a more accurate coverage estimate.

· If installing the lawn over concrete or another hard surface, a rubber shock pad or self-leveling compound can work instead. Alternatively, you can skip this step if you are certain the concrete has adequate slope for drainage and that you can completely cover the edge of the slab with the artificial grass.

2. Grade the base. Use a landscaping rake to smooth out the base material. Use a bubble level, string, and ruler to grade flat surfaces to a 2–3% slope (a 2–3 foot drop per 100 feet), sloping down to the drainage system or curb.

3. Moisten and compact the base. Sprinkle the gravel or sand lightly with a garden hose to lubricate the particles in preparation for compaction. Use a plate compactor, roller compactor, or hand tamp to compact the material into a sturdy base, reducing it to 90% or less of its original depth (a drop of about 0.3 inches / 7.5 mm). This will likely require several passes back and forth over the area.

· A vibratory plate compactor is the most effective option for this purpose.

· These tools are available from tool rental services. The hand tamp is the cheapest to purchase permanently.

4. Add a weed barrier. If you are concerned about weeds growing through your artificial grass, You need to lay out a geotextile barrier over the base material. This may also help deter gophers and earthworms from digging through your synthetic turf. 

5. Roll out the lawn on the side while the base dries. Unroll the artificial turf somewhere to the side, as it may take a couple hours to recover its shape after being transported in rolls. Wait until the base dries, then make sure it is smooth and firm before you continue.

· If the base is not smooth, it needs more compaction.

· If the base ended up lower than expected, you may need to pour in and compact an additional layer, to ensure a fairly flat join between the artificial turf and surrounding surfaces.

PART III Installing the Lawn

1. Lay out the turf. Measure the area where the lawn will be laid out, and the width and length of the turf strips. With a partner, stretch out each strip of turf and lay it down over the prepared base. Avoid dragging the lawn over the base, or you may disturb the smooth surface. 

· In most artificial turf, the fake grass blades bend in one direction. Make sure all the turf is installed with the blades in the same direction, or your grass will look less natural.

2. Cut the turf where necessary. Use a carpet cutter or utility knife to cut the underside of the turf whenever required by the shape of the project area. 

· When making long cuts, cut short distances at a time and compare to the edge to make sure there are no significant gaps. Drawing the cut line onto the back with a marker may also help.

3. Get a carpet stretcher.  For best results, use a carpet stretcher to stretch the turf strips just before you seam or fasten them, as described below. Press the stretcher flat against the turf with the bristles facing down, and kick the padded end firmly with your knee. Stretching the turf eliminates wrinkles, reduces expansion from heat, and helps secure the surface tightly to the ground.

· This tool is also called a carpet kicker.

4. Seam the turf strips together. There are several ways to join two strips of synthetic turf. A product made by the same company that sold your turf may provide the best results, since it will be designed for use on your lawn. Here are the most common options:

· Line up the two strips close together, then fold the edges back and lay artificial lawn seaming material on the exposed base. Cover the seaming material with the accompanying adhesive product, then fold the strips back over the seaming material and let dry.

· Or lay a length of seaming tape or strong outdoor tape on the ground and place the two strips on top of it.

· Or fasten together with stakes, approximately one every three inches (7.5 cm).

5. Fasten the turf perimeter. Use 4–6 inch (10.2–15.2 cm) galvanized stakes or landscaping anchor pins to fasten the turf around the perimeter, at 6 inch (15 cm) intervals. Hammer them flat, but avoid excessive hammering, which can cause dips in the lawn. 

· For maximum strength, offset the stakes on opposite sides, rather than using two lines of stakes exactly opposite each other.

· Edging is very important. Using core bar and Hammer to edge to concrete curbing or bender board. 

6. Add infill or ballast appropriate to your product. Most artificial turf requires added particles to keep the bristles standing, weigh the grass down, and provide cushioning for athletic activities. While the lawn is completely dry, apply a thin layer of one of these materials, by hand or using a drop spreader. Rake in each layer to smooth it out. Repeat until approximately half the blade length is covered. For best results, use the material and amount of material specified by your product's manufacturers. These are the most common options:

8. Water the lawn. This will help the infill or ballast settle. Check the material the next day to see the final result. If the lawn isn't bouncy enough or too much of each grass blade is exposed, rake in another layer of infill.

· Optionally, use a leaf-blower to clear debris from the surface once finished.

Turf Maintenance Instruactions

TURF MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Although residential turf is extremely low-maintenance and has been dubbed the “instant lawn,” turf does still require some maintenance to keep it in its most pristine and healthy condition. By following these simple turf maintenance tips, you can ensure your lawn looks its best year-round.

CONTROL WEEDS & DEBRIS

A severe loathing for weeding your lawn regularly is enough for many people to make the switch to artificial turf. Unwanted weeds are limited in turf lawns because the film backing on turf rolls allows for water drainage. While this backing is very effective at suppressing the growth of anything underneath your turf’s surface, a few stubborn weeds will make their way through every once in a while.

To deal with these pesky intruders, you’ll need to take a different approach than the one you may be used to with organic lawns. Pulling up weeds by hand isn’t an option on artificial turf lawns unless you want to uproot everything and ruin your yard. Using a weed killer is the best way to tackle the root of the problem (pun intended) and ensure that weeds don't resurface.

However, make sure that you use a water-based herbicide to protect the integrity of the artificial turf.

Make sure to also remove natural debris like leaves and pet waste from your turf regularly to prevent clogging in the drainage system, which can promote weed growth.

BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH

Artificial lawns are laid with a sand infill that gives the turf the weight it needs to stay in place while providing the structure needed to make the filaments look like organic grass lawns.

Foot traffic, weather, and day-to-day wear can mat down your filaments over time, giving your lawn a flat, one-dimensional look. 

Maintaining the structure of your turf requires regularly repositioning the sand infill and blades, which can be accomplished with a large natural bristle broom for smaller areas, but professional turf brushes are great options for those with expansive areas of turf.

When your artificial turf is laid, you should wait 8-12 weeks before brushing to let the sand and turf settle properly. 

Once the turf is fully settled, you can begin brushing whenever you would like to keep the blades upright. Brush gently in different directions and patterns to achieve a perky, lush lawn.

DO'S & DON'TS FOR MAINTAINING AN ARTIFICIAL LAWN

Here are a few bonus tips that will help you keep your turf in tip-top shape:

· DON'T use hard chemicals like bleach on your lawn. Water and soap are sufficient to clean stains and discolorations.

· DO keep motorized vehicles off artificial grass, such as ATVs, electric scooters, etc.

· DON'T use a vacuum to clean the turf.

· DO use blowers or brushes to maintain cleanliness.

· DON'T have any combustible heat sources on your lawn, such as cigarettes, fire pits, grills, or fireworks.

· DO avoid gum and other sticky substances on your lawn.

· DON'T let sharp objects like pointy furniture legs or athletic cleats on your artificial turf.

· DO trim surrounding foliage to reduce debris from overhanging trees and plants.

Artificial turf is a low-maintenance alternative to traditional grass lawns, but that doesn’t mean it’s NO maintenance. Getting a turf lawn is a huge investment, but you can protect and maximize that investment by following these simple maintenance tips.

This is a great space for children to play, read outdoors, and use their imaginations! Artificial Grass Solution is committed to providing a high quality product that will encourage fun for the whole family