The Most Common Causes of Artificial Turf Damage
SoCal homeowners from Los Angeles to San Diego are switching to artificial grass landscaping because it’s so much more durable and long-lasting than natural grass. Whereas real sod will easily turn brown, get muddy, be dug up, and get pulled out, synthetic turf can stand up to a lot of daily wear and tear with little to no lasting damage. Synthetic grass isn’t entirely indestructible, however, and you can find yourself in need of synthetic grass maintenance or repair if you fail to avoid these common causes of artificial turf damage.
Chemicals
Harsh chemicals — including oil, gas, pesticides, paint, and antifreeze — can compromise the structural integrity of your artificial turf, causing it to burn or wither. They can also affect the lush green color of your grass, resulting in fading or discoloration. Avoid bringing chemicals into contact with your synthetic grass wherever possible. If you need to use chemicals around the exterior of your home, cover your synthetic turf with a tarp or plastic sheet. In the case of spills or leaks, immediately clean the area with a mild detergent to remove as much of the chemical solution as possible.
Intense Heat
Synthetic grass is a wonderful desert landscaping solution because the sun doesn’t cause it to dry out and turn brown as natural grass would. However, while an average Los Angeles heat wave won’t damage your artificial turf, intense heat does have the potential to melt and deform your polymer turf blades. Sources of heat that can melt turf include barbecues, fire pits, and even cigarette ash. If you experience patches of melted turf, TurFresh can help with our TurFix artificial turf maintenance service. We can replace any singed turf with new artificial grass supplied by the client, helping you avoid a complete re-installation.
Sharp Objects
Another common way that artificial grass is damaged is through sharp objects. Bringing sharp objects in contact with your synthetic turf can result in slicing it or otherwise damaging the turf blades. Be careful when using any sharp gardening tools such as rakes, shovels, or trowels. When cross-brushing your artificial turf blades, use a comb with synthetic bristles rather than metal ones to avoid damaging your turf’s blades.
Heavy Furniture
Just like natural grass, artificial grass can be matted and damaged from excess weight resting on the blades. Heavy objects left on your synthetic turf for prolonged periods of time — such as vehicles, patio furniture, or barbecues — can cause permanent damage to your turf due to excess pressure and extreme matting. Move around any patio furniture or playground equipment regularly, and avoid parking a vehicle on your artificial turf altogether. This will help you avoid permanent damage.
If your synthetic grass has seen better days, you can restore it with ease, thanks to TurFresh’s artificial grass maintenance services. Our TurfClean service will reverse any matting and infill problems, remove pet odors and weeds, and more. For more substantial damage, our TurFix service can do it all, from repair to re-installing your artificial turf. Give us a call today at (805) 751-7789 to book your first appointment and receive a free estimate, or visit our online store for some DIY synthetic turf cleaning solutions.