A home’s landscaping can easily enhance or detract from its curb appeal. As one of the first things people see when visiting your home, you want to make sure your lawn is in good condition and well-maintained. But the upkeep can take time, energy, and even quite a bit of money. If you’re frustrated with all the time and expense that’s going into your lawn, you may want to explore alternative options.
Artificial grass lawns are beautiful year-round and require minimal upkeep. But you may be wondering exactly how artificial grass installation works. Can you install an artificial lawn on top of your existing lawn? While you technically could, at Sportech, we don’t recommend it. Here’s why you should remove your existing lawn before installing an artificial one.
Surface
As with most things, you want to start fresh when you’re laying artificial grass lawn. That’s because you need an even surface before you can install the turf. Think of it as a blank canvass from which you can craft the perfect design. The surface you’re working with needs to be firm and level before artificial grass can be laid.
Once you have a firm and level working surface, your artificial grass lawn will become your own easy-to-care-for canvas. Artificial grass has a lush appearance that requires little maintenance, making it an ideal option for those with active lifestyles. But if you neglect to remove your natural grass before installing an artificial lawn, the synthetic turf will appear bumpy and unsightly. Why invest in artificial lawn installation unless you’re going to take every precaution to preserve its condition?
In addition to detracting from the overall appearance of your lawn, installing artificial grass on an uneven surface could pose a safety risk. Uneven surfaces can become tripping hazards and can be particularly dangerous for young kids running around the front yard or elderly visitors. Protect your family from injury and liability by ensuring an even starting surface before installing an artificial grass lawn.
Drainage
Since artificial grass doesn’t soak up water the way natural grass does, you’ll need a drainage system to clear water away from your lawn. However, one of the major issues with laying artificial grass on top of natural grass is that you won’t have a way to properly drain the water. This can lead to flooding, which will cause the condition of your lawn to deteriorate quickly.
In order to have a proper drainage system, you need to remove your existing lawn and lay soil down under the artificial grass or install drainage pipes to direct the flow of water away from it. The soil will carry the water away naturally and makes a good sub-base for artificial grass. Drainage pipes can also be placed underneath the artificial grass to prevent flooding or pools of water from forming. Another bonus of artificial grass is that when properly installed, it will dry much faster than natural grass counterparts.
Weeds
One of the great advantages of artificial grass is that it requires much less maintenance than a natural grass lawn. It doesn’t need to be fertilized, watered, or trimmed. However, it’s important you take the proper steps during installation to avoid problems sprouting up down the line.
If you lay your artificial grass lawn on top of your existing lawn, you’re likely to see weeds popping up and grass trying to grow through the synthetic turf. Even if you remove your existing lawn, some natural grass blades may be left behind. That’s why you should install a weed barrier, which can act as an extra layer of protection to prevent weeds from growing.
The good news is, once you have an artificial lawn installed and an adequate weed barrier in place, you likely won’t have to waste time pulling weeds anymore.
Life Span
The more precautions you take at installation, the better your artificial grass lawn will fare over time. Being proactive at the onset means you’ll increase the life span of your yard, protecting your initial investment and saving yourself significant money down the line.
Well-maintained artificial grass often lasts 10 to 15 years and can even last up to 2 decades. But that life span is only guaranteed when following professional recommendations, such as removing your existing lawn before installing a synthetic one.
Existing Lawn Removal
So what does the removal of your existing lawn entail? A Sportech excavation team will begin by removing the grass and root system from your yard. As mentioned before, the surface must be level before the artificial grass installation can take place, so we will dig until a firm, even layer of ground is reached. When we’re digging, we’ll also remove any barriers to installation, such as sprinkler systems, wiring, and underwater pipes.
Once the drainage system is installed, we add a sub-base that the turf will sit on. This can consist of soil, gravel, sand, or concrete. We will then measure out the synthetic turf before laying it down over the sub-base. Once the synthetic turf is in place, it will be secured with seam tape or glued down and secured with nails.
While artificial grass lawn installation is an involved process that requires the skill and expertise of a professional excavation company, the investment pays dividends over time. Instead of spending your weekends watering the lawn or mowing the grass, you can use that extra time to play in the yard with your kids or pets.
If you’re ready to explore an artificial grass yard for your commercial or residential property, give Sportech a call or contact us to request a free estimate. We’re ready to transform your home’s lawn into a lush landscape so you can spend less time on yard maintenance and more time on the things that matter most to you.