Five Winter Considerations for Artificial Turf Owners

Quality artificial turf holds up well during the winter. If it didn’t, it’d be a much tougher sell for us! And we certainly couldn’t talk up turf’s “year-round” benefits anywhere near as often as we do. Even in some of the harshest winter conditions, there should be little in the way of adverse effects to your turf, meaning the amount of maintenance you’ll have to carry out will be minimal. Still, there are a handful of things to bear in mind – or remind yourself of – before the colder weather arrives…

Pre-emptive Steps

Before you’re faced with the prospect of snow, it’d be a very good idea to do a thorough cleaning of your turf. Clear away fallen leaves and any other debris so there’s no chance of anything breaking down and rotting under the snow. Study the perimeter of your turf and check there’s nothing amiss with it structurally, such as loose or missing tacks, to make sure it’s as robust as it should be – if it is, much of the rest should take care of itself. There are a couple of other measures you can take, like giving your turf a gentle wash or potentially adding a fresh layer of infill.

Natural vs. Artificial

It’s worth remembering exactly what’s different about how artificial turf behaves in the winter compared to natural grass. For one, because it isn’t comprised of any water content, turf doesn’t freeze the same way as a natural surface; any freezing you do see will be a result of standing water, which would indicate that your drainage system isn’t functioning properly or, in certain instances, that there’s just been too much wintry precipitation for the system to cope. Turf doesn’t get icy per se, but it’d still be prudent to look out for slippery patches. You’re likely to see snow melt quicker on your turf, as it’s more of a heat conductor than natural grass and is, of course, distributed much more evenly.

The Things You Can Do

Despite artificial turf’s greater resilience, there are still likely to be times where snowfall is going to be a nuisance for you. While it’s preferable to allow snow and ice to melt naturally, you can always clear the thick of it away using a snow (or leaf) blower or a plastic shovel. Clearly, it’s best to do so while the snow is fresh – before it’s had a chance to settle and compact. Pouring warm water onto the snow can speed up the melting process though, where it’s particularly cold, try laying down heated rags and towels instead.

The Things You Shouldn’t Do!

If you’re dealing with a really bad case of the white stuff, it can be tempting to resort to all sorts of measures to alleviate yourself of it. One obvious idea is to try and use salt to accelerate melting – but you absolutely shouldn’t do it. Salt can clog up your turf’s drainage system, ruining its ability to perform, as well as jeopardizing the longevity of your surface as a whole. Stay clear of any type of magic melting product and also avoid using a metal shovel; as said above, use a plastic one instead – a far gentler option for your turf. If you’re heading into your first winter as a turf owner, it can be easy to get a little paranoid about keeping your new asset perfectly intact but, don’t worry, your kids and pets can still play in the snow until their hearts are content – turf’s greatest advantage is its practicality, after all!

Gearing Up for Springtime

Fingers crossed, a kind winter season lies ahead and sunnier climes will feel like they’re back on their way very quickly. If you’re true to what’s outlined above, you should find that you’ve very little to worry about by the time the spring is near and you can look forward to spending more time outside. If you do end up with a lot of snowfall where you live, though, it’s possible your turf will appear a little flat after it’s gone. It’ll rebound anyway as the weather warms up, but you can speed up the process by using a soft-bristled brush. Dirt and debris may well have accumulated beneath the snow, too; if so, just repeat the same steps that you carried out before the winter to get your turf looking its best once more.

Customized Turf Solutions with Goat Turf

Here at Goat Turf, we’re hugely proud to be Tennessee’s largest artificial turf company as well as a leading installer in Alabama, the Florida panhandle, Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania. Not only can we get you up and running with the outdoor space of your dreams, we can also help you maximize it 12 months of the year. Reach out to us today to have a chat about your own unique needs!