Fake Grass Installation Mistakes (and Ways to Avoid Them)

Synthetic grass has become a widely used landscaping solution for property owners seeking a visually appealing, minimal-upkeep lawn. Whether you're putting in artificial turf for dogs, creating a backyard putting green, or simply replacing your real grass lawn with durable lawn turf grass, the finished product can be stunning. But as long as the setup is done correctly.

Countless homeowners make serious mistakes during fake grass installation that can lead to water flow issues, obvious seam lines, premature wear, and an artificial look. The good news? Nearly all of these problems are completely preventable when you know what to watch for.

Mistake #1: Inadequate Base Preparation

The base of any successful synthetic grass installation is what’s underneath. Many DIY or cheap installers cut corners on or fail to include proper base preparation, leading to problems down the road.

The Problem: Without a properly compacted base, your artificial grass can experience low spots, uneven surfaces, and water drainage problems. This is especially problematic for artificial grass for pets, where proper drainage is vital for smell control and sanitation.

How We Avoid It: When preparing the base for commercial pet spaces, we use non-compacted stone for better drainage. We remove the soil and lay a crushed stone base. Correct grading with a slight slope ensures water flows away from structures and doesn't sit in low areas. This important process requires professional tools and expertise to execute properly.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Drainage Requirements

Inadequate drainage is one of the most common complaints about artificial turf installations, yet it's entirely avoidable with proper planning and expertise.

The Problem: When water does not drain efficiently through and away from your synthetic grass, you'll experience water buildup, soft spots, and mildew and mold development. For property owners with artificial turf for dogs, inadequate drainage can also lead to unsanitary conditions and persistent odors.

How We Avoid It: Our installers analyze your site drainage requirements before the project starts. Expert installation includes drainage channels in problem spots and always maintains correct slope away from foundations. This professional knowledge eliminates expensive drainage issues that can plague non-professional projects.

Mistake #3: Noticeable Seams

Nothing ruins the visual appeal of synthetic grass more quickly than obvious seam lines that create lines across your lawn, a telltale sign of inexperienced installation.

The Problem: Bad seam placement, incorrect turf grain, or poor seaming methods result in visible lines that make your artificial lawn look unnatural and badly done.

How We Avoid It: Our team intentionally plans seam placements, staying away from high-traffic areas and placing them where they'll be least visible. They verify the turf grain of adjacent turf pieces runs in the correct direction and use seam tape with quality outdoor adhesive specifically designed for artificial grass. For high-visibility areas like a backyard putting green, we deliver nearly invisible seams that preserve the visual appeal of your installation.

Mistake #4: Selecting the Wrong Turf for Your Application

Not all artificial grass is created equal, and picking the wrong product for your intended use can cause frustration.

The Problem: Using turf that does not fit your usage requirements results in future problems. Selecting putting green turf for a pet area or choosing turf with insufficient pile height for your region are typical mistakes. Different applications require different turf properties.

How We Avoid It: We help you select the correct turf for your unique application. First, ensuring you have the ideal choices for your local environment is best practice. For artificial grass for pets, you need turf engineered with enhanced drainage and strong fibers that fight stains. Artificial turf for dogs features heavier face weights that can withstand heavy use. When creating a backyard putting green, we choose turf with the appropriate stimp rating and performance for your experience level. SWG produces premium synthetic turf with specific characteristics in mind, which influences qualities like pile height, ounce weight, and best application for you and your family, helping eliminate unsatisfactory performance and long-term dissatisfaction.

Mistake #5: Insufficient or Incorrect Infill Application

Turf infill serves many roles in fake grass installation: it adds ballast, helps blades stand upright, adds cushioning, and improves filtration. Doing this properly requires experience and accuracy.

The Problem: Leaving out infill, using the wrong type, or underapplying leads to matted grass, drainage problems, and a yard that appears artificial. Overapplication can also cause issues by making the surface too firm and trapping heat.

How We Avoid It: Infill materials include silica sand or antimicrobial sand for pet areas like K9 sand. We apply infill evenly using specialized equipment. We then mechanically brush the turf after infill application to work it down to the fiber and allow blades to stand upright, achieving that ideal authentic appearance. If you want your turf to stay nice and cool in the hot summer months, you should also explore HydroChill®, which has an protective antimicrobial.

Mistake #6: Leaving Out Weed Barrier

Some installers leave out the weed barrier to speed up installation, but this cost-saving move almost always creates problems and causes future maintenance issues.

The Problem: Without a reliable weed barrier, you'll deal with weeds emerging through your synthetic grass, which are challenging to address without damaging the turf.

How We Avoid It: We always use a high-quality, breathable weed barrier fabric under the compacted base before installing turf. Weed barrier helps keep the base in place. It is strongly advised in cooler areas where weeds can spread easily. Weeds typically won’t grow up through the base and the turf, as sunlight cannot reach. But they can grow in the sand infill, which can be managed naturally by professional maintenance once a maintenance cycle.

Mistake #7: Underestimating Installation Complexity

A major mistake homeowners make is misjudging what professional synthetic grass installation requires. What appears straightforward often involves complex technical challenges.

The Problem: Artificial grass installation involves specialized knowledge of grading, drainage, subsurface conditions, regional climate factors, and product specifications. Installations with elevation changes, intricate designs like tee lines, or advanced installs like backyard putting greens require experienced installers. Non-professional installs often cost more in the long run when issues occur, and the work needs to be redone by professionals.

How We Avoid It: Our experienced installers bring years of expertise, specialized machinery, and proven techniques to every job. They account for soil composition, proper drainage engineering, and how various products behave in various conditions. Hiring professionals saves you time, prevents costly mistakes, and comes with warranties that protect your investment.

The Bottom Line

A attractive, durable fake grass installation requires expertise, precision, quality materials, and best practices. While the investment in expert installation may seem significant upfront, it's significantly cheaper than dealing with problems that come from a bad install.