FAQs

What is pile weight?

Pile weight is the total weight of the yarn per square yard. The face weight does not include the backing or the infill of the turf. By knowing the face weight you will know how much product your getting for your investment and the density of the completed product.

How do I clean the artificial grass?

One of the most appealing features of artificial grass is that it does not require the amount of care and maintenance a natural grass lawn must have. There is no need to fertilize, mow, aerate or waste huge amounts of water to have green grass surrounding your home.

However, this does not mean that artificial grass is completely maintenance free. To keep your grass looking it's best and to get the most enjoyment out of your investment,  you need to perform a minimum of regular cleaning and maintenance.

In most installations you may clean the artificial grass by simply rinsing with water from a hose. The aim is to remove dust and other accumulating small debris. The frequency depends on the conditions and obviously during rainy months you can let the rain wash your lawn. To remove leaves and other debris, use a flexible lawn rake, a broom with stiff bristles or a stiff brush. Make sure you don't use a broom with steel bristles, which could damage the artificial grass.

Can I use artificial grass if I have pets?

To put it simply, the answer is YES! In fact artificial grass is becoming quite popular with animal hospitals, kennels and home owners with pets. Animal urine does not damage the artificial grass or make its colour fade. So be safe knowing that even if you have a pet your artificial grass will sustain its vibrant green color.

If you have pets, make sure you pick up the solid waste before rinsing with the hose. To ensure that your lawn stays clean and odour free, you may want to hose down your pet's favourite urination area more often than the rest of the lawn. It is also recommended that you keep a bottle of turf deodorizer handy, which will allow you to avoid lawn odours with quick, regular treatments of the area. 

How do I deal with spills, chewing gum and other occurrences?

Lawns are meant to be lived on, which means drinks may be spilled, chewing gum may be dropped, rough playing may result in a bit of blood or mustard may drop from plates during a family barbecue. 

Artificial grass is stain resistant, which makes cleaning up spills and other accidents easy. Most spills can simply be rinsed away with water. If residue remains after hosing off the area, you can use a mild, natural soap with warm water, or a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, which is also a great option for removing bacteria.

The key to effectively removing spills is to respond quickly. Spills are easiest to remove when they are still in liquid form and can be simply washed away.

Chewing gum and other sticky substances can usually be removed just by picking them up with your hand. However, if a piece of chewing gum is being particularly difficult to remove, you can chill the gum with an ice cube to make it easier to remove completely.

How do I remove bacteria from artificial grass? 

Bacteria build-up is generally not an issue with artificial grass that is frequently cleaned and properly maintained. However, if you believe there are bacteria present, you can use a 50/50 mix of white distilled vinegar and water to remove the build-up of bacteria spores.

How to avoid stains and burns?

If your artificial lawn has cigarette burns or stubborn stains, it can always be repaired (so it is a good idea to keep any remnants from the original installation); however, the better plan is to avoid spills and burns before they become a problem.

Certain spills, such as battery acid, grease, lubricants, motor oil and similar substances can discolour and damage artificial grass. Prevent contact with these substances by repairing vehicles and garden tools away from your artificial lawn.

Artificial grass burns can occur from cigarettes, smouldering charcoal spilling from a grill, firewood sparks from fire pits. To avoid these accidents, relegate smoking, lighting fireworks and grilling to areas that are a safe distance from your synthetic lawn.

How to remove snow and ice?

As a general rule, the best option for snow and ice removal is to allow them to melt and drain away naturally. Artificial grass is perforated, which allows it to drain much like a natural grass lawn. 

However, there may be some cases where you wish to remove the snow or ice before it melts. If it is a light dusting of snow, it can simply be brushed or swept away. If several inches of snow are present and you choose to shovel the snow or use a snow blower, it is best to remove only the top layers of snow, while leaving at least one inch of snow to be swept away with a broom or brush.

This will help you avoid damaging your artificial grass with your snow removal method. Metal rakes and shovels should not be used to avoid potential damage to the lawn. While salt can be used on artificial grass, it is generally not recommended. Over time, the residue from the salt can build up and prevent the backing material from allowing proper drainage.

Do I need to use infill?

The use of sand infill is optional and can be beneficial in a number of ways. The sand infill provides additional support to the artificial grass blades, especially during activity. It also protects the backing of the grass from the heat and UV damage that can be generated by direct sunlight. In addition, it improves the stability of the product as it weighs it down.

Does artificial turf drain?

Yes, the backing of the turf is perforated which allows water to drain similar to the way natural grass will.

Do I need shock pad for artificial grass? Is shock pad good for pets?

For the majority of installations the answer is no. Shock pad is an underlay installed underneath artificial grass and it is designed for use in play areas – more specifically for underneath play equipment where children may be able to fall from a height onto a surface. It is not needed for the average residential garden.

Also if you’ve got pets then avoid shock pad where possible. It will hold urine and bacteria within the shock pad rather than draining freely into a stone base which increases the chance and duration of opportunity for bacterial transfer and will smell in warm weather.