Installing artificial grass by yourself is actually quite simple, especially for those who had a small patch area and wish to give your kid or pet a relax place to play & enjoy. So let’s look up what you need to do and get your grass install just like a professional!
Yes you are right! Getting a proper drawing and site measure is a very important step for DIYer. A goof work plan can help you find the perfect install orientation for the grass viewing and also help you to reduce unnecessary turf joining and wastage. Our professional team is happy to advise an install plan if you think your site is complicate. We strongly advise DIYer to allow 10-15cm excess allowance for measure take especially if you have an irregular site.
Once your area is confirmed, your next step is to remove all the top layer (natural grass, paver, soil dirt etc) of your designate area at least 100mm below your finish line. This is an essential step as you do need sufficient space for non-organic material back fill into the ground to keep your artificial grass patch sustain and long lasting. You may need to spray some weed killer to fully eliminate the chance of possible weed growing. Once finished, give the site a light level screed before filling back the artificial grass basing to keep the layer even.
Before filling your artificial grass basing, make sure you area is bound with solid edge material (Edging, Limestone, Paver etc) to prevent base material being spill out during the compaction. Base material called ‘Blue Metal Dust’ is used on most of artificial grass installing project as they get very ‘firm’ ground after compact. You will need a minimum 80mm thick Blue Metal Dust base to maximise your install result and reduce the chance of weed grow. Once the area is filled, screed again and use the water hose to wet the area for dust settle. Run the plate compactor over in couple times to make sure ground is well complete.
Check the ground level and make sure the surface is smooth enough before turf install. Add several handful of blue metal dust and light screed the ground if need. Open the turf rolls and allocate them in the area follow to your drawing design. You can leave your turf rolls open under the Sun for couple hours as this will release the turf fibre stress and make them easy to install. (especially for those require turf joining) For DIY installer, always aligning the turf roll to the simple top corner and use the turf u-shape peg to stable turf into the ground. Continue the pegging work along the edge and make sure each peg interval is 30cm or less. You also need some pegs in the middle of turf section as well. Install the pegs diagonally order and gently kick push/drag the turf to the opposite corner if there is any crease appear during install. Trim the excess turf section out using Stanley knife and always cut it from the back of turf mat. (Mark the line before cutting!)
Once you finish the pegging, you can run the vacuum or blower to clean small stitch left on the mat. Then start filling the white silica sand evenly into the turf mat to give loading and tension on artificial grass. Follow our recommend infill rate for each grass type as infill sand plays an important role to extend your grass performance and lifetime. Use the outdoor garden sweeper or power broom and push against the turf direction to get the sand fully sink in. You may need to water spray to rinse down if sand sticks on the grass stitch. (happens during wet day) Now you have your grass fully install.