Artificial grass is a more than capable alternative to natural grass. It’s low maintenance, durable, versatile, and has many other good qualities. However, it also has some downsides.
An artificial turf is a significant investment. So, you need to understand its weaknesses as well as the benefits. Even better, you should know how to handle those weaknesses.
So, let’s talk about artificial grass problems. We have identified five main ones. Here they are.
Installation Issues
Some people try to save money by installing artificial grass themselves. This is a mistake because artificial grass installation is complex. Even an unskilled professional can make mistakes.
Here are three artificial grass problems caused by unprofessional installation.
Uneven Surface
This happens when the installer doesn’t prepare the site properly before laying artificial grass. An uneven surface is unsightly. It’s a safety hazard. Over time, it can also cause the turf to shift and sink.
Solution
The only solution is to prepare the site and lay artificial grass properly. Therefore, you may have to reinstall the lawn. That’s why it’s crucial to get it right from the get-go. The site and the sub-base must be compacted and levelled.
Visible Seams
Installation involves laying multiple rolls of artificial grass side by side. Therefore, if the installer makes mistakes, the seam(s) of a roll(s) is visible.
Sometimes, these visible seams are at the edges. Other times, they are smack in the middle of the turf. This looks bad and is also a safety hazard. Plus, it makes the turf unstable.
Solution
The installer must fit the grass properly. They must align the edges of adjoining rolls of grass. Then, use fittings (staples, nails, stakes, glues or tacks) to secure the turf. One nail, stake or staple every 3 feet is good enough. Finally, the installer must trim the edges smartly.
High Installation Costs
Artificial grass costs £10-£70 per m². That’s a lot more expensive than natural grass. However, prices depend on the quality of the grass.
Solution
We don’t recommend sacrificing quality to save money. You can install quality artificial grass for £14–£45m². That is relatively cheap.
Plus, synthetic grass is more affordable in the long run. Natural grass needs watering, fertilisation and mowing. All these cost money. Natural grass maintenance could cost up to £1,000 annually.
Drainage Problems
The drainage problems with artificial grass are also caused by poor installation. Here are two examples.
Poor Drainage
Nobody wants an artificial turf that’s always wet and soggy. It’s an ugly, slippery breeding ground for moss, algae and mould. Over time, it also damages the turf.
Solution
Fix this by installing the turf properly and including a drainage system. Don’t use aggregates that are too small (in the subbase). You must also level and compact. However, the subbase mustn’t be too compact. Don’t forget the drainage system, either. It’s crucial.
If you have drainage problems with an existing turf, focus on finding the root of the problem. Then, repair it. You should also consider installing artificial grass that has permeable backing.
Soggy Spots
Soggy spots are a result of poor drainage. So, the same solutions apply. However, we should still discuss this separately.
Solution
Drain the soggy areas. Then, figure out the cause. It might be a clogged drain or a problematic section of the subbase around that area. Fix it.
The good news is that you don’t have to reinstall the entire turf. You only need to work on the affected area.
Environmental Concerns
There are two main ecological problems with artificial grass.
Ecological
Technically, artificial grass is good for the environment. It doesn’t need pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides. Some manufacturers also use biodegradable and recyclable materials for their grass. However, it could be better.
Many manufacturers don’t use recyclable or biodegradable raw materials. Artificial grass is usually made with nylon, aka plastic. Plastic is the most significant danger to our environment.
Finally, some old products contain lead. Lead can leak into the soil and waterways, endangering plants, animals, and humans.
Solution
Fix this problem by buying artificial grass made from biodegradable and recyclable materials. You should also avoid products that contain lead.
Heat Retention
Natural grass can regulate its body heat. Artificial grass can’t. That’s why fake grass gets hot sometimes. In hot summers, the grass can get so hot that it irritates you, your loved ones and your pets.
Solution
You can buy artificial grass with self-cooling tech. The technology usually involves grass coating or infill material. Another option is to hose down the turf on hot days.
Maintenance Issues
Artificial grass is low maintenance. That’s one of the biggest edges that it has over natural grass. However, there are a few issues. So, let’s discuss artificial grass maintenance problems.
Weeds
A good artificial grass installer will add a weed membrane. So you won’t have to worry about weeds growing through your turf. It does happen sometimes, but that’s usually a sign of poor installation.
The edges are the main problem. Weed will grow along the edges of your artificial turf. They may also grow in the drains.
Solution
Remove the weeds growing around the edges of the turf. You can use your hands or pruning shears.
For weeds growing under the grass, the situation is slightly more complicated. You must remove the turf, kill the weeds and reinstall the weed membrane. You may have to do some work on the subbase, too.
Sometimes, weeds may also grow on the grass. You can easily uproot these because they have shallow roots.
Odours
Odours are usually from stagnant water, pet pee and faecal matter. We have already discussed how to fix the issue of stagnant water. It’s a drainage problem. So, let’s focus on pet pee and faeces.
Solution
Rinse off urine as soon as possible. If you leave it be, the odour will be harder to remove. It could also stain the grass. As for faecal matter, you can let it dry first. Dry pet faeces are easier to clean.
If ordinary water doesn’t work, use cleaning solutions like a specialised artificial grass cleaner, vinegar or dishwashing liquid. You should also consider deodorisers.
If your pet will spend a lot of time on the lawn, consider getting artificial grass with microbial protection.
Long-Term Durability
Here is this article’s final problem with artificial grass. Before diving in, we want to remind you that artificial grass is very durable. It’s just that nothing is perfect.
Fading and Wear
Fading, wear, and tear are natural. Due to the sun and foot traffic, the turf will fade, wear, tear and flatten over time. It cannot last forever.
Solutions
Sometimes, the grass will flatten because of foot traffic or heavy load. This is easy to fix. Brush the grass in the direction opposite the grain. This will make the grass stand back up. Use a soft brush. You should also remove debris and leaves.
What about fading? Combat fading by getting UV-resistant artificial grass. You could also install a shade. However, this might bring up new issues.
Tears and rips
Tears and rips are much more complicated. Sometimes, they are caused by old age. However, most of the time, the causes include poor installation and maintenance, drainage issues, heavy usage, and abuse.
Solutions
Stores sell artificial grass repair kits. You can get one to handle minor repairs yourself. For bigger problems, it’s better to call a professional. They might have to replace some parts or the entire turf.
Conclusion
Many problems with artificial grass are due to poor installation and maintenance. So, if you install and maintain your lawn properly. You shouldn’t have issues. Your lawn should remain in peak shape for decades.
Don’t try to install artificial grass yourself without enough experience. Don’t hire an unreliable installer, either. Check out multiple artificial grass installers before hiring. Review and get quotes from at least three installers.
Then, watch out for the artificial grass problems that we just discussed. Don’t forget to use our tips to prevent and solve them.
