Do-It-Yourself Synthetic Turf and Synthetic Grass

Materials

• A shovel and turf cutter are essential to install a synthetic carpet properly. A vibrating plate tamp is necessary to pack down the dirt under the carpet. Weed killer is used to prevent weeds and grass from ruining the carpet. Sand is generally used as a filler for the carpet to keep it even. A carpet cutting knife is necessary for cutting the carpet down to size. Seaming tape and carpet glue hold carpet seams together. Carpet nails are used to hold the carpet into place. Carpet filler is necessary to raise the carpet to the correct level. A carpet filler machine can be rented from carpet equipment store or carpet installation company.

Preparation

• The ground must be properly prepared before the synthetic grass is installed. First, any real grass must be removed. Do this with a shovel or a turf cutter. Remove all rocks and roots. Use a vibrating plate to tamp the ground down. Spread weed barrier over the ground to prevent real grass and weeds from growing under and around the turf. Spread a 1/2-inch layer of sand over the dirt and tamp that down. Lay wood barriers around the edge of where the grass will be placed to help keep everything in place.

Installation

• Place a length of turf larger than the surface where it is being installed over the sandy area. Do not drag the grass into place, because this will ruin the base and cause the surface to be uneven. Allow the turf to sit for two to three hours. This settles the carpet into place and allows fewer wrinkles to emerge later. Use a carpet cutter to trim the edges to the correct size for the area you wish to cover. Use outdoor seaming tape and glue to seal the seams and glue the carpet to the ground. Use a sand fill to add cushion to the carpet. This will also help the carpet settle better. Usually, the filling is blown in with a carpet filler designed for the purpose. Carpet nails are then used to tack the carpet into place.