Before restoring artificial turf, you must understand where the damage comes from. By digging deeper into the underlying cause, you can prevent the problem from happening again.
Weeds and wildlife
If you don’t install weed barrier fabric or gopher wire underneath the artificial turf, pests and weeds can try to make their way through the surface. This can lead to bumps and wrinkles.
When artificial grass surface becomes uneven, it doesn’t just affect the appearance. It makes the turf more susceptible to UV light and heavy foot traffic damage. Bumps can also become a tripping hazard.
Transportation
During transportation, forklifts and other heavy machinery puncture the artificial turf to move it. That’s why inspecting the turf during installation is imperative.
Extreme Heat
While UV-resistant artificial turf does an excellent job protecting the green sheen of the turf, it does not handle extreme heat well. Since the turf is made from synthetic materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon, it can melt or deform after coming into contact with hot objects.
These issues can occur when a cigarette or coal from the grill falls on the turf. Sunrays reflected from windows or other objects can have the same effect.
Extreme heat softens infill and causes compaction. This, in turn, affects cushioning and drainage. Swings in temperature from very hot to very cold can cause the turf to expand and contract. This results in wrinkles and bubble formation.
Freezing Cold
When temperatures drop below 32°F, artificial turf fibers may become stiff. This makes them less flexible. Meanwhile, frozen infill causes the surface to become hard and less cushioned. This makes it easier to damage the turf with regular use.
Similar to extreme heat situations, the turf contracts and expands when temperatures fluctuate. This may cause the artificial grass to wear out faster.
Heavy Foot Traffic
The fibers can become matted if many people and pets regularly walk over the artificial grass. Meanwhile, installing heavy lawn furniture or parking a car on artificial grass can lead to large matted patches. Matted fibers make the surface look less natural.
Uncleaned Pet Waste
If pet waste remains on the artificial grass’s surface for too long, it can cause unpleasant odors and bacterial growth. The artificial turf will lose its lush color and develops permanent stains over time. Meanwhile, the waste can contaminate the infill and clog drainage systems.
Cleaning and restoring artificial turf after pet waste remains there for a long time may be impossible. You would have to replace the contaminated patch.