Congratulations on making the decision to install artificial turf! You’ve made a choice that isn’t just more environmentally friendly but also more financially sound than a natural lawn. After all, artificial turf doesn’t require watering or ever need to be mowed. This will save you money and time, of course, but there are also aesthetic considerations: artificial grass won’t turn brown during the hot, dry summers, and it won’t die just because it’s been blanketed in snow. In a temperate climate, such as Portland, Oregon, this can be a huge boon to property owners.

There are a few things you can do to prepare for artificial turf installation in Portland, Oregon, and it starts with contacting professional artificial grass installers, such as Sportech. A team of experts will do all the hard work for you. You just need to know what to expect so that you can prepare your yard.

Know Exactly Where You Want the Turf to Be Installed

Before artificial turf installation can begin, you need to have a plan in place as to where you want the turf in your hard. Most likely, you’re considering using it to replace a natural grass lawn, which is certainly a great choice. However, one thing that many property owners don’t consider is that artificial turf is far more versatile than natural grass because it can be put in places where natural grass could never grow. It can easily fill up large or small areas and be placed indoors or outdoors. It doesn’t need to be horizontal either. Some property owners nowadays have their artificial turf installed going up a wall for a unique design feature.

Regardless of where you choose to have your artificial turf installed, you should have a plan for it in place as part of your preparations. Talk to your contractors for advice or visit the Sportech gallery for inspiration.

Clear the Area

Since the traditional location for artificial turf installation is in place of a natural grass lawn, we’ll stick to that preparation in this article.

The next step is to clear the area of any potential obstructions so that your installers can secure your new turf into place without any difficulty. You’ll need to remove any outdoor furniture, boulders, and other obstacles. Since you may be replacing your original lawn, you may opt to remove that as well. This may mean cutting it into strips with a sod cutter and rolling those strips up. You will also want to remove any weeds and other plant growth that might hamper the installation of the artificial turf.

You may be installing the turf in an area that is currently overgrown, in which case clearing the land can take some elbow grease. You may also need to invest in some land-clearing equipment to remove some of the thickest growth. Larger boulders may need to be broken up before they can be removed safely.

Level the Ground

Artificial turf must always be installed on a completely level surface. After you’ve cleared the area to ensure there are no major obstacles, you can then begin leveling the soil. You’ll need a few simple tools to get this done as well. Start by watering the soil to firm it up. Make sure the water covers the soil evenly. If some areas are watered more than others, cracks may form and this may be detrimental to the ultimate installation of the artificial lawn.

After the watering process is complete, you can use a rake to remove any pebbles and other small obstructions. A pebble left under your artificial turf can create a hazard, especially if any children or pets will be playing on it. A garden roller can then be used to ensure the soil is both compact and level.

You May Need to Install Drains

In most cases, your artificial turf installer will put the drains in for you, but if you have very particular needs with regard to water drainage, you may opt to install them yourself. Artificial grass does not absorb water in the same way that natural grass does, so it must have drainage in place to prevent puddles from forming.

Installing the proper drainage requires answering a few questions, starting with: how much water is the area expected to receive? This will depend on the yearly rainfall, as well as the amount of protection the area has from nearby homes, rocks, trees, and other barriers. The Portland area receives quite a bit of rain each year, so the odds are you will need to add multiple exit drains to prevent the lawn from becoming flooded during inclement weather.

Drainage in artificial turf is done through pipes, which must essentially be buried within the soil beneath the turf and led down a safe path for the water. Ideally, these pipes will travel at a slight decline so that the water that enters them can flow freely. They should also work in tandem with the drainage on your rooftop. If your rain gutters drain onto the lawn, the lawn must in turn be able to drain away the water that ends up there.

Working with a professional team of installers can help ensure all this is done properly. It’s important to the upkeep and longevity of your artificial turf lawn.

Communicate Regularly With Your Installation Professional

For artificial turf installation in Portland, Oregon, a local company, like Sportech, understands the area’s climate and geography. They’ll know where and how to best install drainage, how to properly place the different layers, and what’s required to ensure your installation is completed on time and to a high standard. They’ll also know the best materials to use in a given region.

Communicate with your team of installation experts regularly. Discuss your expectations and provide them with the details they need about your project, including the exact dimensions of the location where they will be working.

By keeping your contractors informed of your needs, you will ensure that you get the final result that you desire. You also won’t be surprised by any installation requirements or charges. The contractors from Sportech will work closely with you to be sure you are happy with artificial turf installation at your Portland, Oregon, home.