It might be hard to know when your Metro New York artificial grass needs to be worked on and freshened up versus a full replacement. However, we’re here to support you with this quick and easy guide.

ON-SITE EVALUATION

Whether it is a synthetic lawn which can survive long past its warranty or a sports turf field, it is crucial to consider some of the following items to search for damage and signs of age. Having a turf assessed by an expert is ideal.

BAD DRAINAGE

One of the first indications of bad drainage can be observed with standing water on the turf surface. Although this does not indicate that the turf requires replacement but needs to be corrected or properly maintained during the lifetime of the synthetic turf, then it can be fixed when it's replaced. If you notice pooling, this might show signs of an issue or dips with the sub-base system. More commonly you will find that water will dislodge the turf infill which causes the turf to collapse as the water will mat the fibers. This can be seen where downspouts are situated as well as water run off areas.

SURFACE DAMAGE

If your synthetic turf is approaching the end of its life, you might start observing deterioration or other damage as a result of UV. Make sure to occasionally check your synthetic surface for damage due to pets or wildlife and sometimes even lawn mowers. Additionally, damage from fire, bad weather, or other incidents can influence a turf’s condition.

STAINS & ODORS

Paint or oil spills may be especially complicated to deal with on synthetic grass if not cleaned immediately, leading to permanent damage. Lead-based paint is not removable from synthetic surfaces. If you have a pet who uses the grass, it is advised to do regular cleaning to ensure it looks wonderful and stink free. Look at our cleaning guide here. If you are dealing with turf that’s been ignored, replacement may be the only option.

FADED & MATTED SURFACE

UV exposure for many years is one of the biggest causes of turf damage. High-quality turf is treated with UV stabilizers, but over time, these stabilizers are depleted several years after installation, you might notice discoloration and areas where the turf becomes matted down From UV and heavy traffic. If the surface is not periodically expertly maintained as part of normal maintenance, it will be tricky to restore the turf year after year.

INFILL COMPACTIONS

Over the years, infill might start to compact, much like soil does. If synthetic grass is not frequently maintained, it can result in the surface becoming stiff and compacted. Walk across the grass to feel for patches that are oddly stiff. Having an synthetic grass expert test the surface hardness with a testing device such as GMAX is the only way to find out how compacted the surface actually is. These systems will drop a weight that contains an accelerometer from a fixed height to ascertain deceleration, AKA how quickly the weight stops once it strikes the surface.

INFILL MEASUREMENTS

With excessive rain or foot traffic, infill materials will naturally start to migrate away from the surface. It’s important to maintain your infill depth over 20mm to keep the grass leaves upright and the synthetic grass working the way it should. Synthetic grass that loses a large amount of infill will lead to additional surface matting. It’s quite possible you just have to have an infill refill rather than a whole turf replacement, so ensure you discuss an expert.

GET SOUTHWEST GREENS QUALITY

Southwest Greens' first installations are 20 years old or older and have maintained the deep green texture and color of genuine grass. Our UV-resistant synthetic grass products look and work like new because they are engineered to withstand heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and temperature swings for all-year use.

All installations come have a complete one-year warranty on workmanship and manufacturer's warranty that covers fading. Our artificial grass is designed to be used and is highly recommended in heavy use areas or for long-term sporting uses. Contact Southwest Greens of Metro New York today if you are ready to experience the Southwest Greens difference. We are happy to give you a no cost consultation.