How to Prevent Wrinkles in Artificial Turf: 6 Expert Tips!
Whether you want to create a safe play area for your children or pets that are a little less messy or install your own custom putting green, artificial turf is the way to go. Although it requires next to no maintenance, one of the most common issues is when your artificial turf develops wrinkles. That’s why the team of landscaping experts from The Plant Concierge has collected some tips here to help prevent them.
Why Do Wrinkles Appear in Artificial Turf
You’re probably wondering why wrinkles appear on artificial turf in the first place. The short answer is due to manufacturing and storage processes. Artificial turf is created and then rolled into a tight bundle that becomes loose over time, causing occasional wrinkles when it’s finally rolled out and installed.
So how do you get rid of them?
1. Remove Excess Soil & Debris
One of the primary ways to get rid of wrinkles in artificial turf is to remove any excess soil or debris from where it’s going to be installed. This means that you should remove all the existing soil from the site where you plan on installing your artificial turf because soil expands and contracts, causing wrinkles. Also, be sure to remove any roots or other organic debris, as these things will break down over time and cause divots in your artificial turf.
When installing artificial turf, excavating approximately three inches of soil is recommended. After doing so, you’ll then need to replace the soil you’ve removed with a base mixture that doesn’t expand, such as a crushed miscellaneous base or class two road base. When adding the base, make certain it’s sufficiently compacted with a vibratory plate compactor.
2. Unroll & Warm Your Artificial Turf
Prior to installing your turf in the area you’ve excavated, you’ll need to roll it out and smooth it down, as well as warm it in the sun for at least an hour or two. Doing so will enable the blades of artificial grass to extend and stand upright, as well as make the turf’s backing material relax.
3. Employ a Carpet Kicker
After you’ve laid down your base and artificial turf, you can employ a carpet kicker to smooth out any remaining wrinkles. Doing so will ensure it’s pulled and taught and won’t move while being used. To perform this step, you’ll need to cut the turf if needed to fit the shape of where it will be installed, anchor one side of the perimeter with non-galvanized nails, and begin working outward, smoothing out the bunches of the turf. Once one portion is done, install another set of nails and continue the process, working in a grid formation. You should anchor the turf with nails every three feet or so.
4. Secure the Perimeter of the Artificial Turf
Once you’ve smoothed your turf out with a carpet kicker, you’ll then need to anchor the perimeter to prevent any further movement. Since artificial turf often receives a lot of foot traffic, we recommend installing a perimeter board to give your turf a strong foundation. It’s recommended to install your perimeter board approximately half an inch below the grade of any adjacent sidewalks, patios, or walkways.
5. Use Infill to Add Weight
One of the last steps of securely installing your artificial turf is adding infill to create some weight upon the turf. Doing so not only protects your artificial grass from UV rays that will cause it to fade over time but also prevents the grass blades from matting down when they’re walked upon.
6. Work with a Professional
The best way to ensure that your artificial turf is installed properly is to work with a professional, like the experts from The Plant Concierge. We can help you maintain your artificial turf if any issues arise and have experience installing all types of turf including putting greens, playground surfaces, pet turf, dog-run grass, and more. Some of the biggest benefits of installing artificial turf are that it’s friendly to the environment as well as safe for pets, and it can reduce lawn maintenance costs, make your property cleaner, and creates less water runoff and erosion.
Contact us for artificial turf installation and more today!
If you’re interested in artificial turf installation, The Plant Concierge would love to hear from you. We also provide a range of customized landscaping and hardscaping services including lawn maintenance, landscape design, organic programs, tree service, and more.
Contact us online today to request a FREE quote or call (972) 243-1455.
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