Column: Synthetic Turf

Indicators and Techniques to Avoid Early Turf Replacement

By Arthur Eddy, ASLA, LEED AP

“How many years does the turf have left?” is the question we hear most often from owners and sports turf managers.

Inevitably synthetic turf is going to break down and will need to be replaced. It is part of the commitment of owning a synthetic turf field. A typical warranty on a synthetic turf field is eight years, with an average life of somewhere between 10–12 years. This article is going to focus on a couple of the signs that indicate your turf is starting to break down or degrade, as well as techniques for monitoring and maintaining the turf to avoid early replacement.

A good indicator that a field is starting to break down is that the turf fibers start to shred. This shouldn’t be confused with the typical loose or “dead fibers” that come out of the field during grooming or high use. This is the actual breakdown of the individual fibers that begin to tear apart or shred. When inspected closely, you can see the fibers that are actually shredding apart. This is typically caused from high use or UV breakdown. The best way to monitor the change in fiber is to use a grass cut prism to check pile heights (Photo 1) and an infill gauge to check depths. Adding infill to low areas can limit fiber exposure to sun and use. Once a fiber starts to shred, the ability to hold infill and provide a safer, well performing surface will become more difficult which will lead to costly repairs or replacement.

PHOTO 1: Inspecting pile height with a grass cut prism

Another sign that turf is starting to show signs of age is pile flattening (Photo 2). Pile flattening is exactly as it sounds, it is when the turf fibers start to bend over and lay flat. This can be seen visually on the field where you start to get minor changes or discoloration in the turf field. The most common areas that see pile flattening are the high use areas, these can vary per sport, and are directly related to infill levels within the turf. Synthetic turf fibers have memory and can deflect when left in that condition. The fibers will eventually break at the point of deflection. This can lead to the early breakdown of areas that become hazardous as they influence the athlete’s ability to plant a foot, provide resilience or mitigate impact. A sports turf manager should be checking infill levels and pile height on a regular basis, as they are a good indicator it is time to groom the field, add infill and get the fibers to stand up straight again.

PHOTO 2: Pile Flattening

All too often we are asked to make an assessment when it is already too late. A sports turf manager can have a major impact on extending the life of the synthetic turf field. A proper maintenance plan that keeps accurate photographic and data records and that monitors infill depth and pile height can curb the need for early replacement. Understanding what is happening inside the turf and reacting with appropriate infill addition and proper grooming techniques can limit the effects of pile flattening and fiber degradation.

Art Eddy is CEO of RePlay Maintenance in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Connect with Art via email at aeddy@replaymaintenanceusa.com or phone (877) 641-1819.