Artificial turf is easy to install, but if an inexperienced installer decides to install it without first consulting the installation instructions for the particular turf they are installing, it can go wrong. In this article, Turf Envy highlights some common mistakes to avoid when installing DIY artificial turf.

You may be wondering if you can lay artificial turf yourself, which is certainly possible. The most difficult part of DIY installation is site preparation. The easiest way to lay turf is to follow our installation instructions. Contact us for assistance and complete instructions to ensure you have an error-free installation.

Mistake #1 Groundwork

Failure to perform foundation work correctly will only result in poor DIY installation, because you need to lay a solid foundation for the turf. Before starting work, carefully observe the area overgrown with artificial turf and determine a few things:

What kind of foundation are you using?

The ideal underlayment is granite, which is roughly compacted to shape the lawn and covered with 6 mm powdery granite. When wet and compacted, it provides a smooth and firm turf substrate. No, drainage pits may need to be installed to ensure proper drainage. By doing the preliminary work, the installation is very simple and easy. Adequate drainage of the area can prevent water retention, flooding, and moss growth, and keep the turf lawn in good condition.

Do you have a preferred method to hide the edges of artificial turf?

You need to add artificial grass edges to the perimeter to get a striking effect, or add gravel to separate the plant borders. The turf should be placed at a height of about 20 mm from the edge for the best appearance.

Are there any obstacles that need to be replaced, such as a drain cover?

This is not a problem of obstacles, because the base can be shaped to the desired height to create a smooth, flat surface. They make installation more convenient.

Are there moles or mice in your yard?

To ensure that your new artificial turf has no problems, it is important to consider the history of moles or rats digging holes in the garden that caused the grass to sink. Before starting work, install barriers around the lawn or find a pest control solution.

Do you have Japanese knotweed in your garden?

The Polygonum cuspidatum or Japanese knotweed will contaminate your turf lawn and make it unsightly and unenjoyable.  Japanese knotweed is difficult to remove, but it must be completely removed before starting your turf installation.

Mistake #2 Seam Defects

One of the most common mistakes when installing artificial turf is incorrect seams. Joining artificial turf is no secret, it just requires patience and knowledge. We will carefully study how to establish a connection here. Errors can be divided into three categories:

1. Too much glue. Be careful not to use too much glue on the tape or near the glue gap, as this will cause the glue to peel off when you press each part. Use a brush cleaner on a clean white cloth to remove the glue. If the glue is not removed, sand and dirt will stick to it and will be visible and unsightly after the installation.

2. Using recyclable materials as connecting straps. Gluing the turf to the black remaining edge of the roll will only cause a bad seam. Disposable materials are not intended to be used as construction materials. If you look closely, you will find that the latex pad covers the back of the artificial turf tufts instead of the old material. This can be a problem because it shrinks faster when passing through the backplane than the lawn behind, and the lawn may end up looking wavy. After removing these residues, the artificial turf grass will fall more evenly and form a uniform surface.

3. Lack of clean edges. When there are no repairable elements on the turf roll, it is easy not to trim the edges. (The coil is left to protect the end of the roll, so it must be removed to expose a clean edge. To be added.)

Just as important as removing dirt is to remove multiple rows of tuft strands when there is no dirt on the roll. This is because the end of the roll is easily damaged during transportation and easily crushed during packaging. Trim to keep the line clean.

The process is very simple. First, spread the grass and fold it along the seams. Then count 3 to 4 lines and cut them in the space between the turf rows. If it is not 100% aligned, please cut out a few more lines and try again.

Mistake #3 Folding and Fixing Over Timber Edges

Bending and fastening the artificial turf to a wooden frame is a common mistake made by DIY enthusiasts and even so-called “experts”. Fortunately, this bad practice does not seem to be as common as it used to be. The wooden frame may cause various problems for your new lawn, the most serious of which is that if the frame maintains its original height, the substructure will settle. Over time, the foundation will settle in the wooden frame, creating ripples at the edges, and in the worst case, tearing the turf at the edge of the wood, which may be a risk of tripping.

For aesthetic reasons, if the plank is larger, and even if the artificial turf is folded on the tree, the pile will open and leave unsightly edges:

• it should be square and flat because it is difficult to bend or follow the contours of the garden.
• The artificial turf nailed to the edge of the wood looks unnatural and does not meet the requirements of the lawn

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Mistake #4 Not Sand Infilling

Over the years, the question of whether artificial turf requires sand and dust has been repeatedly discussed. The answer is simple: almost all artificial turf needs to be filled with sand. Installation costs and installation time are reduced.

Benefits of Sand Filler:

• Sand acts as a stabilizer, fixing the grass in place, allowing you to follow the contour of the lawn to get a realistic effect. It keeps the artificial lawn cool in summer to prevent the lawn from looking matted.
• In the hot months, sand infill can protect the lawn from sharp objects, dog paws, vandalism, and playground equipment. (And garden furniture legs.)
• Although our artificial turf is not flammable, sand infill can be used as a natural flame retardant to reduce the damage caused by garden accidents.

(But remember that artificial grass is plastic and will melt in extreme temperatures or open flames, so we recommend that you take extra precautions.)

Mistake #5 Choosing the Wrong Turf

This mistake happens even before you set foot on your lawn to begin the installation. When choosing the right turf, don’t hold the samples in your hands, and let them affect your decision. (For example, choosing the softest plastic grass because it feels nice). The more resistant artificial turf grasses are different from that and may feel harder, because they are durable and designed to withstand heavy wear and tear.

One way to make your decision easier is to place different samples from Turf Envy on your current lawn and take a step back (try even looking out of a bedroom window) to see which is best for the actual lawn. To your surprise, grass that you think is too bright or too dark may actually be perfect!

In addition, please consult us for advice on each of our turf products, as we have experience in manufacturing and installing our products and can provide professional advice and assistance.

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