A Successful Home Sale

Having your natural lawn ripped up and artificial turf laid in its place is an ideal investment if you don't want to spend part of your weekend moving the lawn and performing other duties. Artificial turf gives you a smooth lawn that looks pristine 365 days out of the year. While you can expect the turf to last for a long time — the exact duration depends on the style of turf — there are a number of different things that you can do to prolong its life so that it stays in pristine shape for years to come. Here are some strategies to adopt.

Rake Up The Leaves

While you obviously won't have to perform as much maintenance on an artificial turf lawn, it's still a good idea to perform some tasks to care for it. If you have lots of trees in your yard, it's worthwhile to rake the leaves when they fall. Whereas leaves can decompose into a natural grass lawn, they can't really go anywhere on a turf surface. This means that they can rot, create an unpleasant odor and create stains on your turf. When you rake, be sure to use a rake with plastic tines; the sharp tines of a metal rake can potentially cause harm to the turf, shortening its life.

Try To Walk In Different Areas

It's possible for you to wear down your turf lawn in certain areas if you make repeated trips along the same path. For example, if you routinely walk straight out your patio door and to the gate of your pool, the turf along your route will get flattened down over time. While you can often use a plastic rake to fluff the turf in this area, it's a good idea to change up your route whenever doing so is possible. Altering your walking path from time to time will allow the turf to wear more evenly.

Be Proactive With Your Pet

If your pet uses the bathroom in the yard, it's a good idea to pick up the mess immediately thereafter and discard it in the garbage. In some cases, you'll also want to use a hose or watering can to clean up any residue. This will prohibit the growth of bacteria that could, over time, harm your turf — as well as lead to an odor that lingers. If you have natural grass somewhere in your yard, you may wish to train your animal to do its business in this location. There are also types of artificial turf that are designed for pets to use, which might be an option for a small section of your yard.

For more information on artificial turf, consider contacting a landscaper in your area.