10 Problems with Artificial Grass: How to Avoid and Fix Them

Here at AC Flooring, we not only sell you the best products, we help you to install them. We can also help you to make the best decisions by offering you sound advise that can save you both time and money. Sound good? Read on!

Nothing in life will ever go strictly according to plan. Especially when it comes to home building, improvement or a simple DIY project. In fact, that is part of the fun! And it becomes even less of a hassle when you find a guide that can help you navigate the waters of home improvement.

Planning on installing artificial grass? Whether you are planning on installing the artificial grass on your own or planning on using a company- it goes without saying that you might run into a couple of problems with artificial grass. These problems aren’t likely to cause you too much hassle, or put too much of a dent in the budget, but if we can at least help to minimize them or avoid them all together then why not?

In this guide, we will look at are the solutions and tips to avoid possible problems that could pop up when you are installing artificial grass.

1. Research

This is quite possibly the most important part of the project. Think of it as the foundation. When you are building, the foundation needs to be rock solid. And if you research your project properly, you will already be on the right track to avoiding possible problems with artificial grass.

You need to be able to answer the following questions for yourself:

• What makes a quality artificial grass?
• What does a quality artificial grass installation look like?
• What are the different types of artificial grasses?

Only once you have a good understanding of these questions can you be sure you know what you want. If you don’t have a clear picture of how you want your artificial grass to look then you could end up being disappointed. If you are going to be hiring a company for installation, then it is important that you know what makes a good installation company. If you are planning on installing the grass yourself, you can use our handy guide. If you are looking for a company to install your artificial grass, then make sure you can see examples for reference. Some companies offer different installation pricing or packages, for example, a ‘basic’ or a ‘premium’. Be wary of these type of companies and find out what the difference is.

When you are trying to decide what type of artificial grass to choose, you can read our reviews of the best 2018 artificial grass.

What is the purpose of your artificial grass? Whether it is to replace an outside lawn, use inside the home or simply give your pet something to lay on then these will all determine what type of grass is best. Is it important for it to look natural? By asking and answering these type of questions for yourself you will be on your way to getting the perfect type of grass for your home.

There are grasses that are excellent for a soft landing on a kid’s playground, grass the looks identical to an actual lawn, and other grasses that are perfectly suited to use for your pet. Whatever you prefer, there is something to suit everyone.

The trick? Quite simply, just knowing what you want.

2. The Base

Even though this won’t directly contribute to your lawn’s aesthetic, your grass’s sub base has a greater responsibility than you may at first realize. A good sub base will make sure that your lawn actually stays on the ground, and does not sink into the ground.

3. The Membrane

Installing a decent membrane ensures that you won’t have to worry about weeds. The membrane’s main job is to prevent weeds from growing up into the lawn. Have you got any pets? Install the membrane underneath the lawn. The membrane traps moisture if you install it on top.

4. The Smell

Maybe you have already installed your grass and are battling with one problem that is usually caused by installing the membrane on top. Well, the good news is that you don’t have to uproot everything to install a membrane underneath. Instead, use these simple hacks to improve the smell of your artificial lawn:

• Use products that are designed specifically for this purpose. If you are battling with the smell of trapped urine, you are going to need a pretty decent product designed to get rid of that smell.
• Use a deterrent to keep your pets off the lawn. If it is a cat that you are battling with, well, there is not much else you can do except offer an alternative that the cat may prefer. Cats are renowned for being stubborn- especially if the cat knows how much it will bother you. Otherwise, dogs are easier to deter. Try the age-old trick of placing a bottle of water on the grass. Other than that, the main thing you can do is simply just treat the smell and train your pets not to use the artificial lawn (if possible).

5. Moss

One of the problems that can affect your artificial lawn is moss build up. But these few simple maintenance tips can prevent this from happening:

• Clear leaves and other natural debris. Leaving them on the artificial grass for too long can lead to a build-up of moss.<
• Clear away existing moss by using a pressure hose.

6. Weeds

Even if you do have a membrane and a good sub base, you can still end up dealing with weeds.

How to prevent this issue? Have a decent and deep sub base and a good membrane. Both of these will prevent weed growth.

Weeds are more susceptible to growth around the edges to build a solid timber base around the edges.

7. Burn marks

Some varieties of artificial grass are more heat resistant than others. However, even the most heat resistant artificial grasses are damaged by accidents. BBQ’s, and the coals that can sometimes stray. So, what happens when you do get burn marks on the grass?

Well, be prepared. Have a small section handy to replace the damaged part. If you have leftover after installation then keep a small piece handy for this. Or, if you are having an installation company installing the grass then ask them for a small section to keep for emergencies.

8. Drainage

Again, this is a problem that is better dealt with before it happens.

Deal with drainage issues by digging a trench and fill it with loose rocks and stones. If you are using a company to install the artificial lawn then make sure that they can properly sort out the drainage. If you are installing it yourself, then find out what type of soil you have, and the best type of drainage for it.

By making sure that you have proper drainage, you can save yourself plenty of time and money.

9. Joins

Take a look at this guide on how to properly install your new fake grass. If you do not join your grass properly then not only will you notice every time you look at the grass but you will have to spend both money and time to try to fix it. Take a look at the products that we offer for joining.

10. The type of grass

If you order your fake grass online, chances are you are judging it by a picture and other people’s reviews. While this is not a bad thing it can lead to disappointments. Wherever possible, try ordering a sample first. There are many different types of grasses and so read the descriptions carefully. Some grasses are of a higher quality and more realistic looking than others so make sure that you are happy with the product that you order.

To be sure that you receive only the best artificial grasses on the market, browse through our selection of artificial grasses today!

Originally published at flooringsupplies.ie on July 31, 2018.