Fake Grass Installation Mistakes in Kennewick (and How You Can Prevent Them)

Synthetic grass has become a popular landscaping choice for Kennewick property owners looking for a visually appealing, low-maintenance lawn. Whether you're installing artificial turf for dogs, creating a backyard putting green, or simply swapping out your natural lawn with durable lawn turf grass, the outcome can be impressive. But provided that the installation is done properly.

Countless homeowners make serious mistakes during fake grass installation that can lead to poor drainage, noticeable seams, premature wear, and an artificial look. The good news? The majority of these issues are completely preventable when you understand what to look out for.

Mistake #1: Poor Base Preparation

The groundwork of any long-lasting synthetic grass installation is what lies beneath the surface. Many DIY or cheap installers cut corners on or completely skip correct base prep, which causes future issues.

The Problem: Without a properly compacted base, your artificial grass can form low spots, uneven surfaces, and poor drainage performance. This is even more concerning for artificial grass for pets, where effective drainage is vital for odor control and hygiene.

How We Avoid It: When installing a base for large-scale pet parks, we use non-compacted stone for enhanced drainage. We excavate the soil and add a crushed stone base. Correct grading with a gentle slope ensures water drains away from buildings and doesn't sit in low areas. This critical step requires professional tools and experience to execute properly.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Drainage Requirements

Inadequate drainage is one of the most common complaints about artificial turf installations, yet it's entirely avoidable with careful preparation and experience.

The Problem: When water fails to drain correctly through and away from your synthetic grass, you'll end up with puddles, soggy areas, and mildew and mold development. For Kennewick homeowners with artificial turf for dogs, drainage failure can also create unsanitary conditions and lingering smells.

How We Avoid It: Our professional installers analyze your yard’s drainage conditions before the project starts. A professional installation includes drainage channels in problem spots and always ensures correct slope away from buildings. This experience prevents water damage problems that can affect DIY installs.

Mistake #3: Visible or Poorly Executed Seams

Few things ruin the look of synthetic grass more quickly than obvious seam lines that run across the lawn, a obvious sign of poor workmanship.

The Problem: Bad seam placement, uneven grain direction, or subpar seam work lead to obvious lines that make your artificial lawn look unnatural and badly done.

How We Avoid It: Our team intentionally plans seam positions, avoiding high-traffic areas and installing them where they'll be least noticeable. They make sure the turf grain of adjacent turf pieces runs in the same direction and use seam tape with quality outdoor adhesive specifically designed for artificial grass. For high-visibility areas like a backyard putting green, we deliver virtually invisible seams that preserve the visual appeal of your lawn.

Mistake #4: Selecting the Wrong Turf for Your Application

Not all artificial grass is the same, and selecting the wrong turf for your application can lead to poor results.

The Problem: Using turf that does not fit your usage requirements results in disappointment down the road. Selecting putting green turf for a pet area or selecting a product with the wrong pile height for your climate are frequent errors. Different applications require different turf features.

How We Avoid It: We guide you toward the correct turf for your unique application. First, ensuring you have the ideal choices for your geographic area is best practice. For artificial grass for pets, you need turf engineered with superior drainage and strong fibers that prevent stains. Artificial turf for dogs features heavier face weights that can endure frequent activity. When installing a backyard putting green, we choose turf with the proper stimp rating and response for your experience level. SWG produces premium synthetic turf with specific characteristics in mind, which determines qualities like pile height, ounce weight, and overall best fit for you and your family, helping avoid subpar results and future frustration.

Mistake #5: Insufficient or Incorrect Infill Application

Turf infill serves several functions in fake grass installation: it adds weight, keeps blades upright, provides cushioning, and improves filtration. Doing this properly requires skill and care.

The Problem: Leaving out infill, using the wrong type, or underapplying leads to matted grass, drainage issues, and a yard that looks and feels unnatural. Excess infill can also lead to complications by making the surface too firm and holding heat.

How We Avoid It: Infill options include silica sand or antimicrobial sand for pet areas like K9 sand. We distribute infill evenly using specialized equipment. We then professionally brush the turf after installing infill to work it down to the fiber and allow blades stay upright, achieving that ideal natural appearance. If you want your turf to stay nice and cool in the peak summer sun, you should also explore HydroChill®, which has an protective antimicrobial.

Mistake #6: Skipping Weed Barrier Installation

Some installers skip the weed barrier to speed up installation, but this shortcut almost always backfires and results in ongoing problems.

The Problem: Without a reliable weed barrier, you'll deal with weeds growing up through your synthetic grass, which are difficult to remove without damaging the turf.

How We Avoid It: We always install a premium, permeable weed barrier fabric under the compacted base before laying turf. Weed barrier helps prevent the base from moving. It is highly recommended in cool regions where weeds can grow aggressively. Weeds rarely grow up through the base and the turf, as sunlight cannot reach. But they can appear in infill, which can be handled easily by professional maintenance once a year.

Mistake #7: Underestimating the Work Involved

A major mistake homeowners make is overlooking what proper synthetic grass installation requires. What looks simple often demands complex technical challenges.

The Problem: Artificial grass installation involves specialized know-how of grading, drainage, ground conditions, climate factors, and product specifications. Installations with elevation changes, detailed designs like tee lines, or specialty applications like backyard putting greens require experienced installers. Amateur installations often cost more in the long run when issues happen, and the work needs to be redone by trained installers.

How We Avoid It: Our professional team bring extensive experience, specialized machinery, and proven techniques to every installation. They understand soil composition, proper drainage engineering, and how different products perform in different environments. Professional installation avoids headaches, prevents costly mistakes, and comes with warranties that protect your investment.

The Bottom Line

A high-quality, durable fake grass installation requires experience, careful execution, the right materials, and best practices. While the upfront expense in expert installation may seem higher initially, it's much more affordable than dealing with problems that come from a bad install.