Artificial Turf Maintenance Programme NEW

Follow these steps to maximise the life and performance of your artificial turf:

– Following installation, you may see sand on the surface of your synthetic turf. This is normal and the sand can be lightly swept into the infill with a broom.

– Remove any other loose debris such as fallen leaves with a boom, leaf blower or outdoor vacuum.

– Wash the synthetic turf with water and a small amount of mild detergent to remove any spills or to clean high use areas. Flush with water afterwards.

– Regularly brush the turf against the direction of the pile with a stiff (not metal) yard broom to keep the turf looking natural.

– Periodically flush the synthetic turf with water to wash any debris through the subbase. Use medium pressure to ensure the infill is not disturbed.

– Carefully remove any weeds that appear by hand or if this isn’t adequate the use of certain herbicides is permitted.

– If any moss, algae or lichen grow on your synthetic turf you can treat them with an approved fungicide.

– Annually, a deeper grooming is recommended using a power broom or grooming machine to refresh the surface and apply more sand infill.

To protect and prolong the life of your synthetic surface, please take note of the following recommendations:

– Keep the surface clean and free from litter, mud and debris including food and animal droppings.
– Keep heavy machinery and loads off (particularly when wet).
– Have any minor repairs attended to as soon as possible by an approved installer.
– Follow suggested maintenance and cleaning procedures.
– If any damage occurs or if technical advice is needed, please do not hesitate to contact the installer.

There are some perceptions that synthetic surfaces are completely maintenance free but the reality is that synthetic surfaces do require regular, on-going maintenance if the integrity of the surface is to be preserved. This guide outlines the essential maintenance required to ensure that the entire surface remains in a good condition for the life of the turf.

A crucial tip for maintaining the surface is to do little often, rather than neglecting maintenance procedures for months and then facing large costs to restore the surface to its optimum performance capabilities.

It is essential that fresh spills are cleaned promptly as they can be difficult to remove once they dry. Remove any solids with a plastic spatula. Blot up excess liquids with plenty of paper towels or a dry absorbent such as kitty litter. Dry absorbents can then either be swept up or vacuumed.

Procedure:

Polyethylene surfaces have good resistance to staining. However, the surface is only one part of a sophisticated system of components designed for overall surface performance. Some cleaners safe to use on Polyethylene could be harmful to other parts of the surface. This means cleaning fluids should be grouped into two sets – those that can be used liberally on the surface and those which should be only applied by rubbing with a cloth soaked in the cleaner to minimise possible effect to the under-pad of the turf.

Following are some cleaners, which can be applied without any special precautions.

A warm mild solution of granular household detergent in water or a neutral, low foaming detergent recommended for delicate fabrics. Use with approximately 5 litres of water on these stains:

– Tea and Coffee
– Grape Juice
– Milk
– Food Colouring
– Margarine and Butter
– Beer
– Cola
– Tomato Juice
– Water colour
– Ice Cream
– Mustard

A 3% solution of ammonia should be used for more severe problems. Thoroughly flush the surface with lots of cold water afterwards.

Use clean, dry absorbents such as paper towels or commercial kitty litter for stains which can be blotted up.

The second group of cleaners includes chemicals such as pH neutral dry-cleaning fluids. These cleaners must be applied sparingly using a damp cloth/rag with care taken to avoid penetration beneath the turf. Before using any such chemicals, clarification should be sought from the installer. These stains include:

– Asphalt
– Shoe Polish
– Lipstick
– Crayons
– Ball Point Ink
– Oils (Cooking, Suntan, Motor)
– Floor Wax
– Chewing Gum*

* Chewing Gum is a common hazard and can be removed by using dry-cleaning fluid or by freezing. Aerosol packs of refrigerant can be sourced from carpet cleaning suppliers for this purpose, or dry ice could be used. When using such products care should be taken to ensure that the user instructions are strictly complied with.

To neutralise animal waste, use a mixture of white distilled vinegar with equal amounts of water. Flush thoroughly with water after the application.

Do not use chlorine-based bleaches or caustic detergents on your surface as this will cause discolouration.

If in doubt, please contact the installer for clarification. The handling and use of cleaning chemicals in general, should be undertaken in strict adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions.

You may find your list of uses for your new surface will expand and these may include different types of equipment being moved about on it. Providing you take proper steps and precautions, most requirements can be met.

Protecting the surface and infill is especially important. As a general rule, the manufacturer recommends that no long term still load of more than 17 Kps (2psi) or rolling load of more than 2 psi be applied to your surface. Using rolling loads of up to 2psi are acceptable now and then.

It is a good idea to eliminate any long-term static loads but do keep any necessary static loads as brief as possible. To further minimise the risk of damage to the turf you can use sheets of 20mm exterior plywood to spread major still loads. Some new plywood contains materials that may leach out and stain the surface if it gets wet, so a barrier such as a Polyethylene sheet can prevent that happening.

NOTE: Under static loads the surface should be protected by a Polyethylene sheet to keep it clean.

The following should not be used on the surface:

– No glass, tin or ceramics
– No smoking or fireworks
– No dirty or muddy footwear
– No chewing gum
– No vehicles except small maintenance vehicles.

If mud and rubbish is allowed to be walked on to the surface, this will quickly affect the turf performance and the turf will need to be professionally cleaned.

A client that has not put these restrictions into practice, or has failed to police them, must accept liability for any future failings of the turf surface. It is the owners’ responsibility to read and adhere to these instructions. Failure to do so may affect your guarantee.