How to Make Your Flat Grass As Good As New

A common problem with older variants of synthetic turf is that the grass blades can often lose their shape. After a while, the grass blades will appear “flat”, in a similar way to carpet when furniture is laid on it. Modern day artificial grass has been designed to combat this effortlessly through innovative blade lengths. However, it can be frustrating for those who invested before the new generation of fake turf, as there is seemingly no other fix other than buying a new surface.

In this article, we’re going to give those who have laid older surfaces a helping hand by discussing how to reinvigorate the blades. We’ll be looking at simple ways to get the blades back upright, such as contouring, as well as some other, seemingly harmless occurrences that can harm your grass blades. Our grass is designed to look great day in and day out, and if all else fails, you can talk to us to get a new surface that will look great all the time.

What’s the problem with flat grass?

Flat grass blades, whilst not harming the overall structure of the product, can impact its otherwise authentic appearance. Older generations of artificial grass were still given the same attention to detail as more modern day surfaces in terms of creating a realistic look, of which flat grass basically nullifies.

Flat grass will simply look fake, more like a green carpet than a perfectly sculpted lawn. Once flat, whilst it won’t affect its base, it can open the surface to greater wear and tear, as the “cushioning” has been removed. Ironically, in this regard, the older surfaces are really quite similar to real grass.

So how do I remove the flatness?

Bringing the fake grass back to a realistic look is relatively easy, and requires very little work. For the benefits of easy reading, we’ve broken it down into three parts, of which are:

• Contouring the artificial grass
• Removing debris from the synthetic turf
• Infill substitutes

Depending on how old your synthetic surface is, and how worn or “flat” it appears, your fake grass may need only one of these remedies, or a combination of them. We’ll go through each of these tips one-at-a-time, and explain exactly where and when you would use them.

Contouring

Contouring is a very fancy word for raking, and in terms of using a rake for real grass, there is not that much difference between the two. Raking your older artificial grass surface against the grain of its flatness will return it to an upright position, and give it back its authentic look. However, there are many considerations before you head to the shed to pick up the rake.

Older surfaces will obviously have less durability, meaning that grass blades can be ripped out if the contouring is not done properly. Using a fine rake and a heavy hand can do this, as well as causing a ripple effect, making the grass look like pulled up carpet. Make sure to be gently, only seeking to upright the blades, and use a broad rake to avoid pulling blades out.

Debris

Sticks, rocks, pets, and even outdoor furnishings can not only flatten the grass, but keep them flattened for a long time if not attended to. We find that this is one of the most overlooked aspects of older artificial grass maintenance, too. Any large object, whether it be the family dog’s favourite resting spot, or a large and heavy branch, must be moved on from the area.

Debris can also rip out grass fibres if left to the devices of the outdoor elements, so do be careful, especially when removing heavy branches. Try to avoid dragging the branch along the turf as well, as this can impact or tear the underlay of the artificial grass.

Infill

In some certain cases, flat grass can be a symptom of its use, rather than a single, particular occurrence. Some instances of this would be playgrounds, recreational sport surfaces, and large, synthetic backyards with young families enjoying the space. If your artificial grass is intended to be for heavy foot traffic, you may consider additional infill.

Tennis courts and other recreational surfaces will benefit from a sand infill, which will keep the grass upright and also make it more durable. You’ll be effectively addressing two concerns too, such as the strength of the individual blades, and the long lasting nature of your investment.