Mike Gaskell Landscapes

Reliable Artificial Grass Installers in Leyland

Phone Number: 07841 687 471

How Long Does Artificial Grass Last

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  • Artificial, Fake grass, grass, last, maintainance
  • Posted date:
  • 08-08-2021
How Long Does Artificial Grass Last

Have you ever asked: how long does artificial grass last? We look at the expected life of fake grass and ways to prolong the lifespan of your artificial lawn.

The expected life of fake grass

Artificial grass is a relatively significant investment; it is a fantastic idea to ensure you work out how long your turf will last you all year round and what aspects make a difference in the overall lifespan.

Compared to the style of artificial lawn grass companies used to use and customers would purchase five years ago, it is vastly different now. Artificial grass has dramatically improved its quality and instalment process; however, the lifespan is often theorised and has not yet been adequately tested.

Manufacturers that create the turf offer a wide range of tips and opinions for how long they believe the turf will last longer. The artificial lawns are expected to last around eight years up to around 20 years. Many say it is to be expected that the lifespan is approximately 10-15 years, depending on the use or maintenance it receives.

How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?

Ways to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Artificial Lawn

Regular Maintainance

WAYS TO PROLONG THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR ARTIFICIAL LAWN

The most significant way to keep your newly installed artificial grass in the best condition for as long as possible is regularly maintained.

Some artificial turf manufacturers and installers state that artificial grass is free of all material maintenance, often not the case.

Anything of yours that has been frequently exposed to the outdoor elements will have to complete a certain degree of efficient maintenance to keep it looking good.

However, you need not worry as maintaining your artificial grass does not take too much time to complete. Whilst trudging up and down the gardens when mowing, the natural grass will become a thing of the past, and your turf only requires a few minor maintenance tasks. It depends entirely on the weather conditions and your usage levels; for example, if your garden is continuously trampled across by children and pets alike, your grass may require much more maintenance.

Rotate Heavy Equipment

Often, artificial lawns are excellent for a wide variety of activities, such as garden parties, sports or relaxing under the sun with deck chairs. So, to elongate the lifespan of your grass, you want to ensure it wears evenly. 

The existence of goalmouths, deck chairs and other furniture are the reasons that your lawn will wear much quicker than other areas. In this case, you want to ensure that all garden furniture, sports, or outdoor equipment are regularly moved across the grass blades to ensure even wearing.

It is common for fibres to flatten after heavy objects are placed on them for extended periods. If you don't move these frequently, they may flatten or make permanent dents in your turf; however, if they can often be brushed back to their original position with the help of a stiff broom.

WAYS TO PROLONG THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR ARTIFICIAL LAWN: ROTATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT

Remove Stains

An ideal way to deal with or rid stains on your artificial lawn is to treat them quickly. It allows you to avoid permanent staining at all costs. Numerous materials and products can cause staining on your synthetic turf, such as:

Ice cream

Alcohol

Ketchup or mustard

Fizzy drinks

Cooking oil

Sun cream

Butter

Blood

Tea and coffee

Car engine oil

Asphalt and tar

Paint

Fortunately, stains are easy to deal with simple cleaning grass products that you may find in your household. Treat spillages as soon as you see them or as soon as they occur, as the quicker, they are wiped away, the better.

You can blot excess liquid spillages with clean cloths or kitchen towels or with absorbents like cat litter or sawdust, which you can then vacuum off your lawn afterwards.

Suppose a mud stain has hardened or dried over time; you can easily remove it with a spatula or plastic knife. Please never use metal objects like metal knives to remove the stain, as this could rip, tear or puncture holes into the plastic fibres.

Good cleaning products like household detergents and washing-up liquid are most effective when dealing with any of these types of stains. Using a clean cloth to wipe or dab them away is the best method.

It is also a good idea to invest in white spirit that you can use to treat oil-based stains like cooking oil, chewing gum, nail polish or sun cream. You can, again, use a clean cloth and a tiny amount of white spirit to dab and wipe away the affected area. You must ensure you are incredibly careful with white spirit, use it sparingly where necessary.

WAYS TO PROLONG THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR ARTIFICIAL LAWN: PREVENT BURN MARKS

Prevent Burn Marks

When selecting artificial grass to get installed, be sure always to choose a fire-resistant turf type.

It is common for fibres to flatten after heavy objects are placed on them for extended periods. If you don't move these frequently, they may flatten or make permanent dents in your turf; however, if they can often be brushed back to their original position with the help of a stiff broom.

However, even when you have acquired a fire-resistant artificial lawn, this doesn't automatically mean you are free to place hot objects on your property. Or ignore when ashes from your barbeque or a guests cigarette land on your grass blades, as they can still cause harm and is not very environmentally friendly.

Whilst your turf may not set on fire when subjected to heat or hot items, it may melt the synthetic grass fibres of your turf.

Should this happen to your lawn, it could cause permanent harm. You can still get the damage repaired; however, it is best to avoid a costly repair.

Numerous things may cause your grass to melt; for example, there are three main culprits of this issue, which are:

Cigarette Burns: You and your guests should strive not to smoke on your artificial grass; burning ash or tobacco could fall and therefore melt your fibres.


BBQ's: We recommend you keep barbeques at least 10ft from your artificial turf, this is in case any accidents occur, such as hot coal or ash falling on the grass and causing the synthetic fibres to melt or do severe, irreplaceable damage. The most suitable place for a BBQ is on an inflammable surface like a patio or decking.

Apply a Sand Infill

Sand infills should be applied to all artificial grass instalment products. There are many products on the market that claim they contain "non sand-infill" products.

However, there are various reasons why one should add or install a silica sand infill to benefit your artificial turf lawn. Its durability allows it to stay green and lush for a long time. You can save on installation costs without it; however, that isn't a risk you want to take.

Some of the many reasons why you should most definitely consider installing silica sand infills for your artificial grass are:

It helps to prevent rippling in the installation.

It will protect the fibres, ensuring they remain in the upright position

It increases security

It will increase chemicals or fire resistance on the lawn

It improves drainage

Protects the latex backing

It can also prevent static

FACTORS THAT REDUCE THE LIFE SPAN OF ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Factors that reduce the life span of artificial grass 

Quality

The overall quality of the turf you are buying is key to how long the lifespan of your artificial grass will be. Artificial fibre grass is constantly exposed to the outdoor elements and UV sunlight that can degrade the quality, so your product must withstand wear and tear over time and extreme weather conditions. 

Most good quality artificial grass has built-in inhibitors that protect the fibres from substantial UV sun damages for around 10-15 years. 

How will the artificial grass be used?

After quality, the next most significant factor to the lifespan of your artificial grass is how it is used. The leading causes of damage on artificial grass:

Pet waste

The heat from BBQ coal or ashes

Sharp objects penetrating or puncturing the surface

Wear from constant foot traffic

HOW WILL THE ARTIFICIAL GRASS BE USED?

Installation

Artificial Grass Installation

The most significant pitfalls that come from artificial turf installations are:

When the edges are not properly held down or adjusted

Sinking spots from a potentially weak base

Poor drainage

Suppose you install artificial grass into your yard, ensure you thoroughly choose the best edging to support your sand base. Typically, the harder the edge is, the better for your grass as it can keep the floor completely contained and compact. Hire a professional installer if you feel you cannot DIY. 

Artificial grass maintenance

The last factor you must consider is regular maintenance. Many companies like to encourage customers to purchase artificial grass by implying that it is maintenance-free; however, this isn't wholly true. Artificial grass needs some care to ensure that it doesn't wear too quickly. 

If artificial fibre grass gets dirty, you must clean it to avoid permanent damage from occurring. You must remove any dog waste or litter, and you should clean up spillage with soap and warm water as soon as it occurs or as soon as you discover it.

Use a stiff brush or leaf blower to rid any leaves, plants, debris or twigs that destroy the appearance of your lawn during the autumn season. 

Weed killers or pesticides are essential; whilst it isn't natural grass, weed growth could still be a problem due to unheld edges and airborne seeds. Ensure you use a gentle but effective weed killer on your artificial turf every once in a while. 


Are you looking for artificial lawn installation in Leyland, Lancashire and the surrounding areas? For anymore information on your artificial grass needs, follow the link below: