How To Install

We know you can do it! Here’s our pep talk. Some of the common issues with DIY turf install are easy to avoid. Use good turf! You’ve already made the choice to buy from Lifetime Grass, so you’re good on this one. Don’t skip or skimp on the prep work. Use professional tools wherever possible. Rent a compactor, power brush, etc. If you’ve made the decision to DIY, a little extra spend can save you a lot of time and yield you a much more professional outcome. Watch videos and take some time to educate yourself on the techniques and best practices. Take your time and do it right!

Lastly, if you’re getting cold feet and you want us to help recommend you a professional installer in your area, we’d be happy to help. Just reach out and we’ll get you a pro to help. What’s important to Lifetime Grass is that you enjoy your new yard. Whether you want to install it yourself or use a pro is totally up to you.

  • Excavate all soil, weeds, or anything else above ground. Rough grade the area and uncover anything underneath (wiring, pipes, etc) before laying your solid sub base for the turf.

    Cap any sprinklers at the pipe level, which avoids leakage. Modify sprinklers irrigation or drainage. Back fill any low spots.

    Install Bender Board to create strong separation for the plants or bed and turf areas.

  • Gravel DG (decomposed granite) mix is a special mixture of gravel and sand which allows for proper drainage. DG is a cheap, effective material that allows water to permeate through it and is hard enough to be used in walkways, driveways, and accenting areas. For a non-pet landscape installation, the base material should be installed to a depth of 3 inches.

    Proper base distribution and leveling is important. Grade & slope away from living areas and towards the install drainage area. Proper base installation will make sure the turf will have the smooth level appearance upon completion of the project.

  • Wet the base to allow for proper settling and then compact it. This is accomplished by vibrating, tamping, and rolling the DG. You need a solid base to drive the nails in, while installing your turf.

  • Cutting - Over cut the turf by one inch along the edges. This provides extra turf necessary for tucking. When in doubt, cut the turf fatter as it can always be trimmed later.

    Seaming - it is recommended to use a seaming tool. Once cut using the seaming tool, simply line it up accordingly. Cutting the turf in an s-shape avoids the possibility of the turf pieces pushing against each other’s angles, which in many cases would create the illusion of discoloration in the area of the seam.

    Nailing - Install nails every six inches along the edge. Install nails along the edge by placing them six inches apart driving them down ¾ of the way. Nails used in the field should be applied as necessary to prevent movement of turf. As before, drive the nails down ¾ of the way. When finishing the nails separate the grass to avoid pulling down the blades with the nail. The nail is then hidden with the grass blade at the base with the mat. Don’t drive the nails too deeply in the ground as it will cause the turf to be pulled down creating dimples on the surface.

    U-Nails - Secure seams with U-nails every six inches. During the seaming process six inch u-nails are used to join the turf together. The two seams are butted up against each other with u-nails spaced six inches apart. The finishing process with the u-nails is the same as before. Separate the grass to avoid the blades being pulled down with the u-nail. The u-nail is then driven to the same level of the mat and then hidden with the grass blades.

  • Lock down those edges with 40d nails every 4 to 6 inches on center and ½” away from the edge. In commercial applications, it is recommended to place them 3 to 5 inches on center and ½” away from the edge.

  • Tuck your turf to hide the edges of it against any hardscape or edging border by using a metal “wonder bar”. The side edges of the turf give it a good clean plush look.  This is optional, but worth doing. You’ve came this far….don’t skimp on the details now.

  • Using a heavy bristled power brush, pull against the grain of the grass, causing it to stand up, in preparation for applying the infill sand.

    Now apply the sand, which is anti-bacterial and not harmful for pets or children. Spread the granules evenly throughout the turf.

    This acts as a balance to hold the blades upright and gives the turf more weight.

  • The final grooming involves power brushing the turf once again, lightly, to force the infill granules into the base of the turf for settling and optimal stability. Remove any excess debris and clean up. Congrats, you’ve done it!

 Maintenance (Keep it nice!)

  • Clean Up Debris (leaves and branches). Use a leaf blower or a rake to clear away the debris. Be smart, don’t use too much force or power and always use a rake with plastic bristles specifically for artificial grass – metal bristles can cause long-term damage to your turf.

    With artificial grass, you can use water to keep it clean while staying compliant with any strict drought restrictions you may have. Spraying your artificial grass weekly will prevent dust, dirt, pollen and other contaminants from building up in your landscaping. Additionally, you can ensure that your infill stays evenly distributed by giving your turf a light rinse.

    Cleaning up pet waste from pet turf is easier on artificial grass than it is on natural grass. Pick up the waste, hose down the affected area and continue to rinse your turf weekly to prevent odors from accumulating. For maximum results, invest in antibacterial synthetic grass infills that kill odors at the source.

    Your new turf is pretty stain-proof, so just use a little water to rinse off any spills. For tougher stains, you can use homemade non-abrasive cleaning solutions to keep your turf clean. Try mixing mild detergent with lukewarm water or even equal parts vinegar and water to get your lawn back to its original glory!

  • While you don’t have to deal with gross dead patches from urine on your Lifetime Grass, we promise you that urine cleanup is just as essential as poop cleanup.

    Start with a light rinse with a hose to eliminate excess urine. Once you’ve cleared the affected area, disinfect it with either a mild soap and water mixture or a combination of equal parts vinegar and water. For a better clean, you can find products like this, which may provide you even better results in cleaning & eliminating pet odor from your turf.