Fake Grass Installation Mistakes in Asheville (and Ways to Avoid Them)

Synthetic grass has become a go-to landscaping option for Asheville property owners looking for a attractive, minimal-upkeep lawn. Whether you're adding artificial turf for dogs, creating a backyard putting green, or simply swapping out your natural lawn with hard-wearing lawn turf grass, the results can be impressive. But as long as the setup is done correctly.

Countless homeowners make costly errors during fake grass installation that can lead to drainage problems, visible seams, faster wear, and an unrealistic look. The great news? The majority of these issues are entirely avoidable when you know what to expect.

Mistake #1: Inadequate Base Preparation

The foundation of any high-quality synthetic grass installation is what’s underneath. Low-cost installers cut corners on or completely skip correct base prep, leading to long-term problems.

The Problem: Without a properly compacted base, your artificial grass can form low spots, irregular surfaces, and drainage issues. This is even more concerning for artificial grass for pets, where proper drainage is critical for odor control and cleanliness.

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 moves away from foundations and doesn't pool on your lawn. This critical step requires precision equipment and experience to do correctly.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Drainage Requirements

Poor drainage is one of the top concerns about artificial turf installations, yet it's entirely avoidable with proper planning and experience.

The Problem: When water does not drain efficiently through and away from your synthetic grass, you'll be left with puddles, soft spots, and potential mold or mildew growth. For Asheville homeowners with artificial turf for dogs, drainage failure can also lead to unsanitary conditions and ongoing odor issues.

How We Avoid It: Our professional installers assess your yard’s drainage conditions before work starts. Expert installation includes drainage channels in problem spots and always ensures adequate slope away from buildings. This experience prevents expensive drainage issues that can trouble amateur installations.

Mistake #3: Visible or Poorly Executed Seams

Nothing ruins the appearance of synthetic grass faster than noticeable seams that create lines across your lawn, a telltale sign of poor workmanship.

The Problem: Improper seam placement, misaligned grain direction, or inadequate seaming techniques cause noticeable seams that make your artificial lawn look artificial and poorly installed.

How We Avoid It: Our team carefully plans seam positions, staying away from busy areas and positioning them where they'll be least noticeable. They make sure the turf grain of adjacent turf pieces runs in the correct direction and use seam tape with quality outdoor adhesive made for artificial grass. For critical areas like a backyard putting green, we produce virtually seamless transitions that preserve the finished look of your installation.

Mistake #4: Selecting the Wrong Turf for Your Application

Not all artificial grass is created equal, and selecting the wrong turf for your specific needs can lead to frustration.

The Problem: Using turf that does not fit your intended purpose results in future problems. Using putting green turf for a pet area or choosing turf with insufficient pile height for your climate are frequent errors. Different uses require different turf characteristics.

How We Avoid It: We guide you toward the right product for your unique application. First, ensuring you have the best options for your geographic area is best practice. For artificial grass for pets, you need products specifically designed with superior drainage and durable fibers that resist staining. Artificial turf for dogs features higher face weights that can withstand heavy use. When creating a backyard putting green, we choose turf with the correct stimp rating and response for your skill level. SWG makes high-quality synthetic turf with specific characteristics in mind, which influences qualities like pile height, ounce weight, and ideal match for you and your family, helping prevent subpar results and future frustration.

Mistake #5: Insufficient or Incorrect Infill Application

Turf infill serves several functions in fake grass installation: it adds ballast, keeps blades upright, offers cushioning, and aids in filtration. Getting this right requires experience and accuracy.

The Problem: Leaving out infill, choosing the wrong infill, or applying insufficient amounts leads to matted grass, drainage issues, and a surface that appears artificial. Overapplication can also lead to complications by making the surface too firm and causing excess heat retention.

How We Avoid It: Infill options include silica sand or antimicrobial sand for pet areas like K9 sand. We apply infill evenly using specialized equipment. We then professionally brush the turf after the infill process to work it down to the fiber and allow blades to stand upright, achieving that ideal realistic look. If you want your lawn to reduce heat in the hot summer months, you should also consider HydroChill®, which has an protective antimicrobial.

Mistake #6: Omitting Weed Barrier Fabric

Some installers skip the weed barrier to save time or money, but this time-saver almost always leads to issues and results in ongoing problems.

The Problem: Without a proper weed barrier, you'll battle weeds pushing through your synthetic grass, which are challenging to address without compromising the surface.

How We Avoid It: We always install a professional-grade, breathable weed barrier fabric under the compacted base before installing turf. Weed barrier helps prevent the base from moving. It is highly recommended in cooler climates where weeds can spread easily. Weeds rarely grow up through the base and the turf, as light is blocked. But they can grow in the sand infill, which can be handled easily by professional maintenance once a season.

Mistake #7: Misjudging Installation Difficulty

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is underestimating what professional synthetic grass installation requires. What appears straightforward often demands complex technical challenges.

The Problem: Artificial grass installation involves specialized know-how of grading, drainage, ground conditions, regional climate factors, and product specifications. Installations with elevation changes, complex layouts like tee lines, or custom features like backyard putting greens require experienced installers. Amateur installations often become more expensive when issues happen, and the installation must be replaced by experts.

How We Avoid It: Our professional team bring years of expertise, specialized machinery, and best practices to every project. They account for soil composition, proper drainage engineering, and how various products behave in various conditions. Professional installation avoids headaches, avoids costly mistakes, and comes with warranties that protect your investment.

The Bottom Line

A beautiful, long-lasting fake grass installation requires expertise, attention to detail, proper materials, and correct techniques. While the cost in professional installation may seem costly at first, it's significantly cheaper than repairing mistakes that come from a bad install.