Artificial turf is beneficial in a variety of ways. It’s simple to maintain. It’s also cost-effective. Mostly, it’s beneficial to the environment and always attractive. One can easily see why so many people prefer it. Installation is the most difficult aspect of artificial turf. Professional installation of artificial grass is best. However, it’s always a good idea to know what kind of preparation is required before the turf can be laid.
Here are some pointers on how to prep the ground before installing the artificial turf.
Clear the Area
Grass, weeds, and any other plant development are detrimental to the health of your turf. It has the ability to grow through the layers and do damage to your turf. Natural growth in the midst of the lawn is also unattractive. Clearing the ground of plant life is the first step to preventing this from happening.
You can try transplanting plants you want to keep to a different location that won’t interfere with the lawn. Since you won’t be growing plants where the turf goes, you can use a tough weed killer. Kill the plants and uproot them completely. This is the first and most important step.
Prepare The Drainage
The next thing you should do is take care of the drainage. This is a critical step in preparing the ground before installing the artificial turf. If water collects on the turf, it can cause a slew of issues in the long run. Be sure it’s not a problem. There are numerous drainage options available. The drainage setup is determined by where you live. If you live in an area where it rains frequently then you’ll want to make sure you have an adequate draining system. If you live in a dry climate then a standard draining system will suffice.
Set The Foundation
The ground is clean, the drainage plan is in place, now you’re about to move some dirt. The goal of this phase is to make a flat surface for the turf to be installed on. You’ll need to remove roughly three inches of topsoil from the installation area.
Crushed rock, sand, or gravel are used to restore the ground once it has been removed. It’s packed after three inches of the base have been added. To bring the level back up to ground level, more base filler is poured. It’s repacked, and the procedure is repeated until the base is firm and level with the ground.
The final product should be a sturdy, level foundation. This base is capable of absorbing a significant amount of water while also preventing weed development (although more intervention is necessary). It also assures that the turf is comfortable to walk on and that it will not shift over time.
Lay A Weed Barrier
Weed prevention is the final phase in the preparation process. Since the weeds are gone, the seeds have a tougher time germinating because of the root, but it’s not impossible. To cover the base, you’ll need a good weed barrier. This generates many layers of weed protection that, when combined, make it nearly impossible for weeds to penetrate.
Between seeds and the soil they need to grow, your base already places a few inches of sterile rock. That’s an excellent start. The weed barrier then keeps sunlight away from the foundation. This prevents germination from taking place. It also creates a barrier that prevents seeds from reaching the soil. The turf that goes on top of the weed barrier is the third line of defense, and those three lines of defense are nearly always sufficient.
Preparation Is Complete
Preparation has been completed. It’s finally time to lay the turf. When the installation is complete, you will have lush green grass that is level, comfortable underfoot, weed-free, flood-resistant, and attractive all year. At U.S. Artificial Grass, we are you to assist you in every step of the installation process. Contact us at (800) 674-TURF and we’ll have one of our artificial turf specialists assist you.
