Key considerations for synthetic surfaces

While there may be an element of scepticism around synthetic surfaces, the installation of an artificial turf pitch (ATP) can, for many, provide allimportant relief to an over-stretched natural pitch, particularly during the winter months or periods of heavy play. While both natural and artificial surfaces have their own pros and cons, the addition of an ATP should be seen as complementary and an asset, not a burden. Redexim UK explain that it can sometimes be as simple as understanding how to effectively look after the surface to obtain maximum return on the investment.

An ATP is a carpet and always will be a carpet and when it is first laid on day one, it is as good as it will ever be. However, there are standards which need to be achieved and maintained for safety, longevity and governing body accreditations.

It is now understood that a synthetic pitch does have maintenance requirements, and whilst this needn’t be complex or costly it does need to be consistent and effective whether the surface be sand-dressed, sand-filled or 3G. Footfall will compact infill and flatten the fibres, leading to a firmer playing surface, with reduced porosity and increased vulnerability to wear and breakage. To alleviate this, the most effective operation is brushing to agitate infill and stand fibres up. The general rule when using something like the Redexim Verti-Comb or Verti-Broom is one hour of brushing for every ten hours of play. But remember, if a surface is accommodating more simultaneous matches and therefore subject to more pairs of feet, the calculation should be altered accordingly.

When it comes to surface cleaning, again a little and often approach is most effective. Most material on the surface is natural debris and detritus, which if left can get trodden on and broken down into the surface. This will then migrate downwards causing drainage problems but machines like the Redexim Verti-Top™ have proved invaluable to correct this.

The understanding of the health and environmental issues associated with 3G pitches, in particular microplastics and polymeric infill, is driving the industry towards a different specification of surface – with lower pile height and a combination of sand and natural infill such as cork and pine expected to become the industry standard over the next decade. Fields with natural infill will need more attention than conventional SBR pitches due to their more mobile nature, and increased susceptibility to bacterial and airborne contamination. This will likely mean that equipment such as the VertiTop™ which was once considered a more specialist tool, will become a weekly usage item as grounds staff work more intensely to maintain performance and player safety.