In Los Angeles, where the inland areas are hot and dry, artificial grass maintenance is especially vital. The severe heat and LA’s unusual weather patterns make it challenging for homeowners and property managers using synthetic grass in their lawns.
The surface of an artificial turf can change colour, get damaged fibres, have bad drainage, and grow bacteria if they aren’t taken care of properly. Artificial grass is made to be easy to care for, but it needs some regular upkeep to keep its look and last longer than the eight to fifteen years it usually lasts. In this blog, we will discuss some of the important tips for artificial turf maintenance in summer.
Why is Artificial Turf Maintenance needed in LA? An Overview
Because the weather in Southern California fluctuates with the seasons, various kinds of upkeep are needed. In the summer, when it’s dry outside, the grass requires different care than in the winter, when it’s wet outside and drainage is vital. In the entertainment industry, the rules are considerably more specific. A movie set turf, for instance, needs to be able to handle tight schedules, a lot of foot traffic, and constantly appear nice on camera. Understanding these particular demands is the first step to ensuring artificial turf maintenance in Los Angeles’ harsh climate.
What you need to know about LA’s weather and how it affects grass
Los Angeles has a unique set of climatic challenges for those who own artificial grass. The seasons in the city fluctuate a lot, and these variations affect synthetic grass systems all year round. Real grass can handle fluctuations in the weather, but LA’s weather patterns are so varied that artificial turf requires special maintenance.
The effects of dry summers on lawn fibres
The hot summers in Los Angeles make it challenging for artificial turf maintenance. From May to October, temperatures often rise beyond 85°F, which speeds up the breakdown of turf fibres as they are exposed to UV radiation. Too much heat makes fibres brittle, which makes them break and shed too soon.
Also, the dry heat and Santa Ana winds together leave a lot of dust and pollen on grass surfaces. These particles settle between fibres and make a hard, compacted surface that loses its natural spring and strength if you don’t clean it regularly. The excessive heat also makes pet smells stronger in grass installations, since bacteria thrive in warm temperatures if they aren’t dealt with appropriately.
Rainy winters and drainage challenges
Los Angeles has winters with heavy rain that make maintenance more difficult. Most of the area’s rain falls between November and March, when it receives 85% of its annual rain. This sudden flow of water tests drainage systems that may have been clogged with debris during the dry months.
When drainage is poor, it may cause standing water, infill displacement, and mould development. Also, the rain in the winter frequently washes trash from nearby areas onto grass surfaces. This trash has to be picked up straight away so that drainage holes don’t become plugged. Heavy rain may make infill materials unevenly spread out, which can impact how the grass appears and operates.
Why does os Angeles require care all year round
So let’s talk about how you clean artificial turf during different seasons in LA. Because summers are dry and winters are rainy, maintenance has to be done in the spring and fall. Artificial grass installations won’t survive as long if the way they are cared for doesn’t adapt to match these new circumstances.
This means that those who own turf have to adjust how they take care of it depending on the time of year. In the summer, you need to rinse more regularly to get rid of dust and maintain the surface temperature under control. You need to pay greater attention to drainage systems and shifting infill around in the winter. People who live in Los Angeles may utilise these climate-specific challenges to make strategies for artificial turf maintenance.
Dry Season Turf Maintenance Strategies
You have to take extra care of artificial grass in Los Angeles’s dry months to keep it looking beautiful and performing properly. Regular artificial turf maintenance eliminates issues like fibre disintegration, matting, and bad smells that occur a lot when it hasn’t rained for a long time.
To get rid of dust and pollen, rinse the lawn often
Every week, use a garden hose to rinse off the dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants that collect on grass surfaces. This easy procedure prevents particles from becoming caught between fibres and generating a hard, compact surface. For the greatest results, use a spray nozzle with medium force and run over the grass in overlapping sweeps. Also, rinsing cools the surface when it’s too hot, which makes outdoor places more pleasant and keeps heat from building up.
Brush the fibres so they don’t become tangled up and flat
Over time, foot traffic and the placement of furniture can cause turf fibres to flatten. Cross-brushing against the grain of the fibres helps pull them up and put them back in their upright posture. Never use a metal-bristled broom or a specialised turf rake. Instead, use a synthetic-bristle broom or a turf rake. Specifically, areas with a lot of foot activity need to be brushed more often to keep the grass looking fresh and to stop it from matting down permanently.
Use turf spray to control odours and bacteria
Using turf sprays can effectively eliminate pet odours by killing odour-causing bacteria rather than merely masking smells. You don’t have to wet or rinse our sanitising system before or after use, which saves water and keeps things fresh. Yes, these specific deodorisers are made to get rid of ammonia in pet urine and organic matter that builds up in lawn infill.
Put in shade or misting devices to cool things down
Adding shade sails, pergolas, or umbrellas over grassy areas can keep the surface much cooler. These structures block direct sunlight from reaching the fibres, preventing them from absorbing too much heat and getting damaged. Misting devices offer temporary cooling without wasting water. Together, these solutions make outdoor spaces far more comfortable during Los Angeles’ hottest months.
Choose UV-resistant turf to prevent fading
Strong sunlight’s UV rays tear down synthetic materials, which makes them fade, change colour, and lose strength. High-grade artificial grass and UV-resistant material have unique inhibitors that keep it from being damaged by the sun. This protection keeps the turf looking good and stops it from ageing too quickly. It also keeps the colour bright even after being in the sun for a long time, which makes the turf last longer.
How to take care of your turf during the rainy season
Los Angeles gets a lot of rain in the winter, which makes it hard to take care of artificial turf. If you don’t deal with these problems, they could make your turf look bad and last a long time.
Remove trash to keep drains from getting clogged
Taking leaves, twigs, and other things off turf surfaces regularly helps keep the drainage working. After a storm, use a plastic rake, leaf blower, or stiff-bristled broom to get rid of material on the surface. This easy job keeps drainage holes from getting blocked, which lets water flow freely through the system.
Hire Professionals to make the water flow better
If you have difficult drainage problems, specialised devices like TurFlush can assist in getting the water flowing again. This treatment gets rid of clogged drainage holes and compacted infill that can happen during dry months.
After storms, check and add more infill
Heavy rainfall can displace infill materials, especially crumb rubber, which becomes buoyant in water. After big storms, check the amounts of infill and add more as needed. If you skip this stage, the turf surface may move, causing creases and lifting.
To keep the turf from getting damaged, don’t walk on it when it’s wet. Limit foot traffic on turf that has just been soaked. Walking on wet artificial grass might make the fibres settle down and hurt the foundation layer.
Check for mould or mildew after a lot of rain
Look for mould or mildew on the lawn, especially in places that are shady or don’t drain well. These problems usually happen when the grass is wet for a long time. To stop it from happening, there needs to be good airflow and drainage.
When and Why to Use Professional Turf Cleaning Services
Even if you take good care of your home, artificial turf will ultimately need professional help. Synthetic grass collects dirt, bacteria, and smells, just like carpets in homes, and routine cleaning can’t get rid of them all.
Deep cleaning to get rid of microorganisms and smells
Professional cleaning services deal with problems that go beyond just cleaning the surface. For example, bad smells from pet excrement are often a symptom of germs that are stuck deep in the fibres of the grass. These services employ particular tools to get rid of impurities that are stuck in things, getting rid of microorganisms that cause smells at the source instead of just covering them up. This method is very helpful for pet owners because it cleans the surface and gets rid of hazardous germs.
Seasonal refresh to extend turf lifespan
Artificial grass lasts much longer when it is professionally maintained once a year. Power brushing gets rid of traffic wear patterns and makes matted areas look like they did when they were new. Also, expert cleaning moves infill materials around, which stops them from getting too compacted and causing drainage problems and uneven surfaces. This thorough update helps keep both the look and the function of the item.
Cleaning tools that are safe for people and the environment
These days, most professional services use hydrogen peroxide-based products that are recyclable. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down on its own into water and oxygen. These cleaning products are safe for nearby plants, pets, and people because they kill germs well and don’t leave behind any dangerous leftovers. Chemical cleaners might not be able to clean as well as eco-friendly ones, but they won’t hurt the environment or the grass strands.
When to get professional maintenance done
Every three months, professionals should clean most homes with pets. But once a year is enough to really clean most homes. Stores or areas that get a lot of foot traffic need to be cleaned twice a year: once before spring to get rid of the buildup from winter and once before fall to get rid of the summer leftovers. Finally, it’s a great idea to hire a professional to take care of your yard because they will make it look great, keep it safe, and make it last a long time.
Final Thoughts
Artificial Turf installation in Los Angeles needs to be done keeping in view the weather in the city. By taking the right steps, people can install and protect it from the damage that hot summers and wet winters would normally cause. Keep in mind that the weather can harm your artificial grass, so you need to take care of it before it does.
Deep cleaning by a professional is just as important to keep the grass in good shape over time. There are more problems with these methods than just keeping things clean on the outside. This is very important in places with a lot of foot traffic or homes with pets. Most importantly, paying professionals to do repairs is a good idea because it keeps artificial turf in good shape and makes it look good. Let’s partner to bring you the best turf installation and maintenance in LA.
FAQs
How can artificial grass hold up in hot regions like Los Angeles?
It can get hot on artificial grass when the sun shines right on it. On hot days, the surface can get as hot as 150 degrees or more. You should water it down before you use it because this can make it hard to walk on without shoes.
How do you keep artificial grass clean?
Real grass needs more care than artificial grass, but you still need to take care of phoney grass every so often. When you have pets or people who use the space, you should rinse to get rid of dirt and dust, brush to keep the mat from getting tangled, and deep clean every so often.
How long does artificial grass usually last?
If you don’t change your artificial grass every 8 to 15 years, it starts to look old. The length of time it lasts may depend on how often it is used, how well it is taken care of, and how much UV light it gets.
How good is artificial grass for the earth?
In more than one way, artificial grass can hurt the earth. There may be harmful chemicals in it, and it is made of artificial materials that don’t break down. This can lead to microplastic waste. It does use less water than real grass, though.
What are some other environmentally friendly gardening options that don’t involve artificial grass?
You could also use natural plants that can handle dry conditions in xeriscape, build rock gardens, use permeable hardscaping, or plant low-water ground covers like UC Verde buffalo grass or kurapia. These choices might be better for the environment and still make the area look nice.
