Sod Damage

Fungal Diseases

• Fungal diseases, such as melting out, necrotic ring spot summer patch and powdery mildew, can kill patches of sod or your entire lawn. In fact, rhizoctonia yellow patch is known for killing new sod laid on clay soil, according to North Dakota State University Extension. Early signs of fungal disease include spotty grass blades, discoloration, wilting grass and dead patches. Before digging up the dead sod, spray your lawn with a fungicide to kill off the disease. Remove the dead sod, and lay new sod or plant grass seed in bare areas.

Pests

• Pests, such as grubs, armyworms, billbugs, southern chinch bugs and cut worms, can infest sod, according to the University of California. Insects can eat away at roots or grass blades and cause dead patches or kill off the entire yard. Furthermore, insects may infect grass with harmful pathogens that cause disease. Spray your lawn area with an insecticide to kill off the pests. Avoid spraying water-stressed lawns with pesticide or you can worsen the damage. Lay new sod, or seed your preferred grass when your pest population has been controlled.

Sod Installation

• Inspect your sod when it is delivered to avoid laying already damaged sod. Avoid using any sod pieces that are less than 1-inch thick. Look for signs of fungal disease or pest infestation. Healthy sod should be freshly cut when it arrives. Prevent your sod from getting dried out and damaged by installing it as soon as it arrives. Sod should be installed within 48 hours of arrival, according to Grounds-Mag. If you need to store sod, unroll the sod pieces and place them in a shady area of the yard. Dried-out sod root systems will prevent lawn establishment.

Sod Care

• Sod can shrink up and become dry if it is not properly laid. Ensure that the sod's edges are butted up against each other. Refrain from packing cracks with dirt. The dirt will wash away through irrigation, and the sod will shrink up. Keep your sod watered within the first two weeks after installation. Sod must have moist soil for it to establish a strong root system. Avoid saturating the soil. Saturated soil and sod can encourage fungal diseases.