While you probably hear a lot about how durable and tough artificial turf is, there are some who still don’t believe it. After all, synthetic turf is made out of plastic. How is it possible that grass has what it takes to withstand the really tough conditions? Like frost, for example. Under certain circumstances, frost can seriously damage natural grass.

When it comes to frost and artificial grass, though, that’s simply not the case. Here is everything you need to know about the affect of frost on your artificial turf.

The Affect of Frost on Grass

During a heavy frost, serious damage can occur to your natural grass. That’s because the moisture in the blades freezes. If you walk on the grass while it is frozen, the blades are going to break off. If it is extremely cold, then the blades may die back.

However, frost does not affect your artificial turf the same way it does your natural grass. While that is true, it’s not a good idea to walk on fake grass that is covered in frost. There are two reasons for this:

1. While the artificial turf isn’t slippery when it is wet, frost is actually ice, and ice is slippery.
2. If you walk on heavily frosted grass, it’s going to compact the ice, which may impede the ability of the turf to drain the moisture away as the frost starts to melt.

It’s Melts the Frost Faster

Frost isn’t going to hurt or damage your artificial grass. In most cases, as the day gets warmer, the frost will quickly evaporate away. You can help to make this process faster, if desired. For example, if you want to get out in the yard sooner, all you hve to do is pour a small amount of warm (not hot) water on the frosty area to melt it away. Because artificial turf is installed with an efficient drainage system, the moisture is going to go away quickly, allowing you to get outside and enjoy your yard sooner.

You may want to use a deicer or even salt on your turf, but this isn’t recommended. While these products aren’t going to damage the turf, they may leave behind a residue that causes damage to the backing. That may result in drainage issues down the road. Also, you don’t want the products leaching into your groundwater or soil, because this can result in several issues.

No Need to Winterize Your Turf

Because artificial grass isn’t affected by frost, there is no need to worry with winterizing it (this is usually a daunting process). Your turf is going to keep looking great, regardless of the weather outside.

If you are interested in having artificial turf installed in your yard, you will find it offers an array of unbeatable benefits. Be sure to keep everything here in mind and work with the professionals to ensure you get the results you want. This is an investment that is going to offer a significant ROI for your home.

Are you considering artificial turf for your yard or business? If so, you may be hesitant to move forward with the purchase because of all the misconceptions “out there.” However, getting to know the truth about artificial turf can help you figure out – once and for all – if this is a smart option for your needs.

Myth: It’s too Expensive to be a Smart Investment

One of the biggest factors that impacts the cost of artificial turf is if you opt for professional installation or if you want to do it on your own. While there are several benefits of having the turf installed by professionals, you can save money handling this on your own.

Also, while there are some turf options that are more expensive than others, there are a lot of options available today. This means there’s something for everyone – regardless of your budget. Working with a professional company is a good way to find out what options are available and which ones are right for you.

Myth: You Can’t Handle Artificial Turf Installation Alone

This is another common myth. There are a large number of people who have completed the installation on their own (or with the help of friends) and their yards look amazing. While this is true, installing artificial grass is a big job and quite labor intensive. As a result, hiring the professionals (if it’s in your budget) is something that makes sense.

Myth: It Looks Fake

There are many people who have no idea what fake turf really looks like, as a result, they easily believe this myth. Most people are pleasantly surprised about the quality of the artificial turf that’s available today.

For those who have never seen artificial turf up close and personal, it’s a good idea to visit a showroom to see it before making a purchase. Take some time to see and feel the different options. Once people do this, most are convinced it’s worth the investment.

Myth: It Gets too Hot

Some people are also worried about how hot the artificial turf gets. Similar to any manufactured material, artificial grass will get warmer when it’s exposed to direct sunlight. While this is true, the grass doesn’t get so hot that it can’t do the intended job.

Myth: It Can’t be Recycled

Have you ever heard that artificial grass can’t be recycled? If so, don’t buy into it – its just not true. Similar to any other product, in the past, artificial grass wasn’t recycled. However, conservation and sustainability are important today, which means there’s an array of options that make it recyclable.

If you are thinking about buying and installing artificial turf, it’s a good idea to review all the myths about it, chances are they aren’t based on facts. This type of grass offers an array of benefits that make it a good option for any property, both commercial and residential yards. Check out some of the options yourself to see if they are a good investment.

 Seam Rupture Repair

 

A seam rupture occurs when seams binding synthetic turf together break down, leaving a barren spot. This may or may not be fixable depending how bad the seam rupture is. It’s important not to leave the ruptured seam at bay because not only does it create an unattractive look in your yard, but it could cause harm to someone if they trip and fall over the riff. Repairing ruptured seams requires skill and careful scrutiny.

 

Let’s break the process down in a few steps:

 

#1) Remove the infill. Use a Shop-Vac or high-performance blower to remove the infill past the repair to avoid an infill buildup.

#2) Use a carpet kicker. If the seam is pulled apart, then place a carpet kicker two feet away from the seam and kick the two sections together. Make sure to go by the width of the manufacturer’s gauge specifications. Trim the seam so the edges will fit.

#3) Insert temporary nails. Place temporary nails 18 inches from the center of the seam on both sides so the turf will not move during the gluing process.

#4) Apply new seam tape. Replace the old seam tape with a new strip. To do this, place the seam tape in the center of the two sides and secure with staples/nails.

#5) Break out the adhesive. Use an adhesive when securing the two sides of the synthetic turf together.

#6) Secure the sections. Once infill is removed, secure the two sections together. Use the Shop-Vac/blower to clean out excess infill, then place the adhesive 1/8 inch on the seaming tape.

#7) Compress while curing. Use 50 pound bags to compress the adhesive while it’s curing. Check the seam every 15 minutes to ensure the process is running smoothly.

#8) Replace the infill. Replace the infill by hand so the fibers will not be trapped, exposing the seam.