Artificial grass has become an incredibly popular decor and surface covering element lately, even to the point that it has replaced natural grass in multiple settings. That’s mainly due to the versatile advantages, aesthetic possibilities, and ease of usage it provides. One can make any place instantly attractive and mind-soothing with the use of fake grass, that too, on a budget.
However, the installation of artificial grass doesn’t always turn out to be a piece of cake which also leads to minimum or at worst, no benefits, all because of some errors during the process. This exactly is our concern today at Grass Carpet, i.e. educating you about the artificial grass installation mistakes to avoid for flawless results.
Common Artificial Grass Installation Mistakes
Going through this concise info will help you a lot with obtaining all your decor and/or functional goals with artificial grass Dubai and you will be able to anticipate a good value for your investment.
Using Incorrect Turf Type
- As obvious as this one might seem, it actually has the potential to ruin your entire investment or at worst, surrounding areas too.
- Artificial grass comes in multiple versions and measurements for different usage requirements and environmental challenges.
- Hence, it becomes beyond important to spend plenty of time in researching, learning, and discussing different fake turf types to get the most suitable one for your space.
- Here’s a relatable example to help you in this regard. Choose heat-resistant artificial grass type for sunny climates and low-pile, resilient options if your area receives a lot of foot traffic.
Creating Poor Drainage Systems
- Water is unable to drain through artificial grass which leads to the need to install a properly functional drainage system.
- Not having a proper drainage system creates puddles on the surface of grass and extremely messy situations during and after rainfall.
- Another drawback is that the collection of water for both short and prolonged periods of time can cause mold, moss, and mildew to develop, which damages the grass itself too.
- Also, this situation can be the reason for unwanted and unpleasant falls and injuries due to uneven surfaces.
Installation On Uneven Surfaces
- A damaged or uneven subfloor/base surface will lead to faulty and poorly leveled grass which will ultimately be unsightly and ruin the whole purpose.
- Synthetic grass that has been laid over an uneven surface will not have proper drainage and can be extremely difficult to clean, dry, and maintain.
- Even the tiniest imperfections and bumps can destroy the final look of the grass and make it seem very unpleasant.
- Uneven subsurface also makes it difficult to join the edges of the grass and secure it properly and this faulty treatment is meant to worsen with time.
Not Employing Weed Blockers
- You must have read using weed killers as a part of fake grass maintenance. Doing so is really crucial to protect the grass from damage and make it last long.
- The fake grass does not grow weed itself, instead, it’s the soil underneath that supports the growth. Moreover, sometimes weeds and mold can also develop in the underlayment or padding of the grass due to humidity.
- Applying weed killers is mandatory both before the grass installation and afterward to prevent unwanted buildups. You can also use domestic stuff like diluted vinegar, ACV, Vodka, or even dish soap for this purpose.
- Weed barriers also act as efficient soil dividers and stabilizers for a fake grass lawn, contributing to flawless and attractive-looking surfaces.
No Grass Edge Securing
- Properly securing all edges of synthetic grass is foremost crucial to prevent the likelihood of curling or lifting. This also helps define the parameters of the lawn or garden.
- Grass edges that are poorly secured or at worst, not secured at all, will lead to compromising the integrity of subgrade soils as well as sub-base materials, eventually causing lawn sinking and nasty depressions.
- Another worst outcome of poor or no edging is that it can make the materials under the turf get splattered and pollute the area around.
- You can make use of dedicated adhesives, nails, or stakes for this purpose and ensure making your grass looks even, fine, and presentable.
Using Unsuitable Infill Materials
- Infill works to keep the grass weighed down, resilient against damage and makes it look natural by giving the fibers an upright position.
- It also keeps the blades from fraying, matting down, and breaking and is significant for protecting the entire synthetic grass system.
- The right kind of infill ensures an improved performance of the fake grass and makes it comfortable underfoot, while also stopping the grass from appearing like a carpet, highlighting the artificial grass advantages.
- Choosing the wrong infill type and/or adding it insufficiently will be the gateway to a lot of trouble, particularly if you have pets.
Using the Wrong Sub-Base
- A poor or unsuitable sub-base will compromise the structural integrity, stability, and drainage efficiency of an astroturf setup.
- Using an accurate sub-base is also important to prevent the grass from appearing uneven and to maximize its longevity.
- Sub-base also works to make the grass comfortable to walk over and improves its aesthetic appeal.
- Fake grass that has a well-compacted and solid sub-base will be perfectly capable of enduring all the footfall, impact damage, and general wear and tear.
Additional Tips & Tricks To Get Attractive Synthetic Turf Systems
- Avoid using sand as an infill for artificial grass as it can shift under paving impact and can lead to sinking, cracking, or breakage of the grass.
- Always conduct a soil test before you go for fake grass installation to choose suitable base materials and drainage ideas.
- In case you’re dealing with clay, you’ll need to have a strong and highly effective drainage system. Whereas for sandy soils, more stability measures will be required.
- The area where you’re going to install the grass must be free of even the slightest imperfections, debris, existing natural grass, mold, and weeds. You can use a plate compactor or tampers to achieve a well-leveled canvas.
- Make clear markings for easy identification and installation before the process. Your chosen space must have adequate depth by the base layers and the pile height of your synthetic grass.
- When cutting grass to make it fit around obstacles, always opt for the backside, to not damage the blades and your knife should be sharp for clean and seamless cuts.
- Make sure your infill material is distributed evenly across the entire area, you can use a stiff brush for that.
- For extra stability and perfect looks of the grass, you can also consider applying sand in a thin layer atop the infill.
- Keep your astroturf well-maintained by timely addressing all buildups and damages. Have it thoroughly rinsed and brushed once in a while for a clean, lively look.
Final Words!
These were some of the common malpractices that are the most likely to be conducted by homeowners, essentially DIYers. And it’s equally important to learn about all the potential don’ts of every procedure, in addition to all the major details. This will help you be aware of what could go wrong at every step and how to avoid/undo it for minimal product, time, and money wastage. After all, it’s just another step towards being a true DIY home decor and improvement guru! Wishing you successful synthetic grass treatments and endless perks ahead.
