Maintenance tips for artificial grass

COLLECTION OF RUBBISH, LEAVES AND BRANCHES

Frequency : very regular.

Objective :

to prevent the proliferation of moss and weeds.

How to do it :

with a brush, vacuum cleaner or blower.

CLEANING OF DIRTS

Fréquence : the sooner the better.
Most stains can be removed with clear or soapy water. Remove any solid deposits with a dull knife or spatula. Blot up excess liquid with a cloth.

WATER-BASED RESIDUES

Ex : beer, blood, chocolate/cocoa, coffee, cola, fruit juices/sparkling drinks, glue, ice cream, milk, mustard, ketchup, tea, urine... Most stains found on artificial grass can be classified as "water-based". The best way to remove them is to use a warm solution of household detergent (non-abrasive) during maintenance. Brush away residues with a stiff-bristled brush. Scrub the area with soapy water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of soap. Dry with an absorbent cloth, if necessary. For more stubborn stains or residues, use a solution of 3% ammonia diluted in water, rather than a manual detergent.

• Brush away residue with a stiff-bristled brush.
• Scrub the area with soapy water.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of soap.
• Dry with an absorbent cloth, if necessary.

For more stubborn stains or residues, use a solution of 3% ammonia diluted in water, rather than a manual detergent.

PERSISTENT OR OIL-BASED STAINS

Follow the instructions below :

Pencil, lipstick, cooking oil, shoe polish, suntan oil, ink. Sponge with perchloroethylene (dry-cleaning solution). Dry with an absorbent cloth. Oil paints. Sponge immediately with turpentine or paint stain remover (apply sparingly). Apply detergent and water. Pour cold water to remove detergent. Scrape off any residue. Apply perchloroethylene (dry-cleaning stain remover). Repeat these steps as often as necessary. Nail polish. Sponge with acetone. Scrape off kerosene and blot with perchloroethylene. Tar and asphalt. Scrape off stain and blot with perchioroethylene. Caution! Mineral alcohols and petroleum-based solvents are highly flammable. Do not smoke or allow open flames near containers or solutions. Make sure the area is well ventilated.

PET WASTE

Neutralize with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Rinse thoroughly with water after application.

CHEWING-GUM

Spray with Freon (available in aerosols from carpet care suppliers) or use ice. Scrape off any residue.

FUNGI OR STAINS OR MOSS

Use a biocide. Do not use an aqueous spray at high pressure, as this can cause serious damage to the lawn.

ANTI-MOSS AND ANTI-WEED TREATMENT

Frequency : once or twice a year, preferably in spring and autumn. Choose a preventive treatment rather than a curative one. Never use acid-based liquids (bleach or sodium hypochlorite), as these damage the fibers when used in too high concentrations. For anti-moss treatment, we recommend Dimanin A, Dimanin Special from Bayer or an equivalent. For weeds, use a weedkiller spray.

SNOW AND ICE CLEANING

Artificial grass can be used when snow or ice covers the surface. As a general rule, snow and ice should be allowed to melt without intervention. If an event is scheduled, please follow the guidelines below. Clearing should take place just before the event.

Clearing snow when it is sticky and wet :

Use a small rubber shovel with a rubber-tipped blade (never use blades made of wood, metal or any other rigid surface). Prevent the blade from penetrating the filling or primary support. Remove snow in layers. Make sure the blade touches the surface. Form piles of snow. Use a blower to remove the remaining snow. Break up the ice using a small, light-weight lawn roller and then follow the procedure described below.

Clearing powdery snow :

Use a brush or blower. Each pass should be made alongside the previous one. Use a brush to remove any remaining snow.

Clearing ice :

If possible, avoid ice build-up. If the layer is thin, break it up using a small, light-weight lawn knife. Once broken up, the ice will be swept off the artificial grass. In the case of excessive icing, the only way is to use chemicals to melt it. Remember that any chemical used on the turf will create a residue that can make it sticky or slippery. Rinse the residue off the ground as soon as the weather permits.

Caution : Never use calcium chloride, ammonium nitrate, common salt, rock salt or other corrosive or toxic chemicals.

WATERING THE SURFACE

As a general rule, water is the best cleaner for artificial grass maintenance. It removes dust, pollen and airborne pollutants from the turf. When wetting artificial grass, distribute the water evenly over the area to be cleaned. Make sure you moisten the surface rather than soaking or saturating it. Never use water from a polluted source.

REPAIRING LOOSE SEAMS AND TEARS

Some areas are busier than others, and the seam of a line has become detached. These are minor problems that will quickly become major ones if not corrected immediately. It's not uncommon to find loose spots on glued seams, even over a distance of a few centimetres. There's no need to worry about cuts and tears 20 centimetres long. Carry out repairs in dry weather. Vacuum the area to be repaired. Make sure that the fabric to be repaired is free of sand, rubber, mud, glue and any other undesirable matter. Clean the area to be repaired with methyl-ethyl-ketone, toluene or mineral spirits. Position the fabric satisfactorily.
Apply a small amount of glue to the sewing tape. Avoid using too much, so that the glue doesn't run down the sides or through the tape. Spread the glue with a knife or spatula until the entire fabric is evenly coated.

The glue must be allowed to air-dry. Use a brand of moisture-curing polyurethane glue. This type of glue absorbs moisture from the air to dry faster. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes before applying to the lawn. Press the fabric evenly over the glued area.
Compress the area and leave to dry for at least 24 hours. If the turf used is sandblasted, spread the filler over the repaired area and brush it into the turf until it is level with the surrounding areas.

REPAIRING CIGARETTE BURNS

Cigarette burns harden the burned area by melting the fibers. Use a wire brush (like those used to remove paint) and brush the area vigorously to separate the fibers. If brushing the grass is not enough to separate the fibers, take a razor and cut the melted area into small sections, which you can then brush away.

REFILLING THE INFILL (FOR SANDING PRODUCTS)

A few months after starting to use artificial grass, the sand begins to shift, and the installation may need to be refilled in certain places. The same phenomenon may occur after extremely heavy rainfall. Fill only when the artificial grass has been cleaned of all waste, leaves, moss and weeds. Add the infill in thin layers before incorporating it into the turf. Brush all artificial grass in reverse order.