So you installed a new artificial grass. Impressive, now you can enjoy a well-tended and perennial garden all year round. But wait... what's that puddle of water in the middle of your yard?
Fake grass drainage issues are a fairly common problem for many homeowners. The problem can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences, including crooked-looking lawns and the growth of mold and mildew.
"How do I avoid drainage problems if I have my lawn professionally laid?"
Good question. In this article we will explain in detail how to properly lay artificial grass so that a large puddle does not “sit” in your garden and why all the problems arise.
Table of contents:
- What is artificial grass?
- Lay artificial turf correctly
- Drainage problems in artificial turf
- Consequences of poor drainage
So if you:
- You have problems with flooded artificial grass;
- You want to know the reasons for this;
- Are you looking for more information about artificial grass,
Then read on! This article is for you.
What is artificial grass?
Have you ever wondered why sports fields always look so green and manicured? Two words: artificial turf. Artificial turf is grass made from green synthetic strands that mimic real grass. These synthetic threads are made from synthetic fibers or threads (polypropylene or polyethylene). A quality artificial grass consists of several layers, including bedding, mulch, some layers of drainage and infill. Artificial grass has gotten a bad rap over the years because many people found it a bit sticky. In any case, this is no longer the case. Nowadays, more and more homeowners are choosing to install artificial grass instead of real grass. Why? Well, artificial grass requires almost no maintenance and stays beautifully green all year round.
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Which is better: natural grass or artificial grass?
How to properly lay artificial turf
Laying artificial grass is a tricky business. If you decide to do the work yourself, then follow these basic rules:
- Identify the soil type.This step is very important to determine the drainage height. When you figure out what type of soil you are working with, you can choose the type of stone or sand aggregate to add.
- Clean up the area.Be sure to remove all green debris from and around the room you are also working in. When you have finished this task, dig up the grass to a depth of about 100mm. You can use a shovel or a lawn mower to get the job done. This part is necessary to make your artificial grass look more natural in relation to its surroundings.
- Prepare a base.First you need to find out if your garden soil is clayey or sandy. This step is necessary because the type of soil will determine how you prepare the surface before laying the artificial grass. Clay soils do not drain well. If this is the case, you will need to add a sub-floor of stone layers. Be sure to choose a type 1 stone. Also remember that the subfloor needs to be 50-100mm deep. However, if you're working with sand-based soil, that's a whole different story. This type of soil has very good drainage properties, so it's a good idea to use 50mm fine sand.
For more information, seehow to lay artificial grassin our detailed article.
What are the drainage problems in artificial grass?
High-quality artificial grass rolls allow water to flow through. Artificial grass comes with a liner that has multiple drainage holes. Don't worry, they won't be visible once the grass is installed. And if the lawn has been laid correctly, you probably won't have any drainage problems. However, if your artificial grass does get soaked by rainwater one day, here are the possible reasons:
The first reason can be summed up in four words:poorly installed dry base. If the ground under the artificial grass has low absorbency and this was not recognized before the artificial grass was installed.
Many professional companies offer low prices for their artificial grass installation services, but keep in mind that the quality of the actual work will also decrease. Often, budget companies donate to certain key stages of the process, such as B. installing an aggregate foundation, not enough attention.
Instead, reliable service providers carry out a thorough excavation of the existing surface. Only then do installers lay a porous subfloor system over the floor. Based on the soil drainage, technicians determine what type of permeable subgrade to install. Cheaper or non-professional installers tend to apply 1 to 2 inches of sand to a clay surface and place the artificial turf on top. But adequate drainage just isn't possible this way, since loam isn't as permeable as other soil types. These basic steps are often overlooked due to cost or time constraints. In the end, the result is always the same: an unwanted puddle of water in your garden.
Another way to get a flooded artificial grass is to install it on a hard surface like concrete. This type of artificial turf project requires the installation of a completely different drainage system before the turf is laid. Whether installers drill holes in the concrete or use some other method to divert rainwater from the grass and channel it into a ditch or through a nearby permeable surface, the artificial turf will get wet sooner. or later.
Last but not least,Use the wrong type of padding(particularly sand) can clog drain holes over time. Therefore, it is always better to choose an expert who knows what they are doing if you want to avoid heartbreaking mishaps with your green investment in the future.
What Can Cause Poor Drainage?
- Poor drainage can make your artificial grass unstable.
- The appearance of small gaps or slopes can also be a result of poor drainage.
- You can lose the grass's initial appearance as excess liquid can deform it.
- Water can unbalance some parts of artificial grass.
- The high humidity promotes the growth of mould, mildew and weeds.
- The lifespan of your artificial grass will be halved.
If you're wondering how to fix the problem, we have bad news: there's nothing you can do after installing the weed. Of course you can always try itinstall a drainage system, which involves a lot of digging. Your other option is to buy new weed and get it laid properly this time, which isn't very cheap now, is it?
If you don't want to have drainage problems, think ahead. Invest in a good professional company that will do the job right to save you the trouble of figuring out how to fix it on a rainy day.
Discover the artificial grass solutions we offer by visiting our main website.
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Take away food
- Artificial grass requires little or no maintenance.
- It is important to install artificial grass properly to avoid problems.
- Drainage problems can be caused by a poorly installed foundation, grass on a hard surface, and using the wrong type of backfill.
- Poor drainage can lead to an unstable, uneven lawn and mold and mildew problems.
- Invest in a professional company to ensure you don't have problems with your lawn.
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We hope you found this article helpful and if you have had any experience of artificial grass drainage problems, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.