Description

Installing Artificial Grass may just be the perfect way to give your tired looking garden a facelift. Old worn looking garden can easily be transformed into lush green grass that’s perfect for entertaining your friends and family, and for the kids to play on all year round – and of course, it’s a pet friendly too. As for parents who wants to see their children play around onto their garden, their safety is the main priority that’s why parents try and install Shock Pads underlay to their Artificial Grass because of its obvious benefit of being soft and springy underfoot which is perfect for kids playing around. Considering in installing Shock Pads underneath an artificial grass, it is extremely important to choose a good quality foam. Try to avoid recycled foams as they tend to absorb moisture, causing them to expand and contract. The smell of the dog/cat urine can become trapped in the foam making the odor very difficult to remove. Therefore, always ensure to choose a foam underlay that has a built-in draining holes that allow liquids to run through freely, without being absorbed.

Providing safety measures should an accident happen, that’s why shock pads are ideal for areas like playgrounds and schools or where any play equipment is installed. Shock Pads comes in 10mm..

Here are the steps on How to Install Shock Pad under Synthetic Grass:

Step 1 –
Remove existing earth, dirt and sand down to the required depth. This includes removing the existing grass area, its root base and a section of soil underneath. This is reduced to a specific depth to enable to install all the layers required to construct the high quality, fully porous fake grass system.

Step 2 –
Apply and fit the weed barrier on the exposed soil base. This is placed to prevent the growth of weeds and sinking of the aggregate across the whole base of the artificial lawn.

Step 3 –
Construct an aggregate base across the whole area where the artificial grass lawn is to be fitted. Then compacts the area using a compactor equipment.

Step 4 –
Level the base lawn area. Use a specific material including a screed bar to ensure a perfect level across the lawn area. This provides a strong, durable and professionally levelled base for precise installation of an artificial grass lawn.

Step 5 –
Shock-pad base fit. Fit the shock pad base on top of the aggregate base. Roll out the first piece of foam and cut to the required shape. You will find it easiest to cut all the foam and lay it in into position before you begin to glue anything. (TIP: As the foam comes on a roll, it will naturally try to roll itself back up soon as you let go of it. To stop this from happening, place a heavy object on each end to hold it in position.) Secure all the pieces of foam together, using a masking tape. Once the foam has been cut to shape and taped up, you can begin the gluing process. Depending on the temperature, you usually get around 30 minutes to work with the glue, so you’ll need to work reasonably quickly.

Step 6 –
Supply and fit the chosen artificial grass. Roll out the first piece of artificial grass, ensuring it covers the foam. Cut it into sizes. Take good care when cutting as you only get one chance to get it right. If you have joints, you’ll need to trim three stiches off the edge of each piece of grass, to form an invisible join. As with a normal artificial grass installation, you’ll need to glue the joints together. The easiest way to complete this step is to just glue the joints at this stage and then leave the glue to go off, before gluing the perimeter.

Step 7 –
Apply strong, durable quality glue to all the edges. Now that any joints have been secured, you’ll be able to fold back the grass at the edges (without the joints coming apart) and apply a layer of glue to the entire lawn perimeter. Use the same methods that was used when securing the foam underlay. Ensure that the glue runs continuously along every part of the perimeter, without leaving any gaps. These gaps will be potential weaknesses where it may be possible to lift the grass. To ensure the grass and foam bond sufficiently, it’s advisable to stay off the grass for the next couple of hours, to prevent the fake grass from moving around underfoot.

Step 8 –
To finish, apply and mechanically brush silica sand infill to your grass. To provide exceptional stability and protection of the entire installation, a silica sand infill is applied with a special drop spreader and then mechanically brushed it. This product is an essential part of the installation process. The silica sand not only maintains the lawn, it also ensures it will remain stabilized and prevents it moving or ripping when exposed to extremely hot weather. Every artificial grass has a very slight pile direction and this step should be done by brushing into the pile, which will lift the fibers.

Quality

Why you will love Smiling Rock Melbourne Artificial Grass.

Installation

How to Install Smiling Rock Melbourne Artificial Grass.

INSTALLATION

Name: 10mm Kid Safe Shockpad Underlay
SKU: 8657
Price: 18.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

Click here to download our installation guide.

When it comes to a huge area to landscape, just thinking about the workload and time commitment for artificial grass to be installed may be alarming.
But not to worry! Just follow this easy 4-step artificial lawn installation guide and you’ll be looking down proudly at your newly done-up backyard in no time.
NO MORE WEEDING OR FERTILISING! NO MORE MOWING! NO MORE HIGH WATER BILLS!

STEP ONE – EXCAVATION OF EXISTING AREA

Once you have marked out the area for your new synthetic lawn, remove the existing lawn (and soil) up to a depth of 70mm, and be ready to fill the area with 60mm of blue metal dust. If prepping for a medium-to-high vehicular traffic area (such as the verge), clear the area to a depth of 100mm, filled with 80mm of road base, and 10mm of blue metal dust. If reticulation is present it is simply a matter of capping each pop-up sprinkler.

Tip: It is well worth hiring a turf-cutter if you have an existing lawn to remove, which will save you a considerable amount of time and effort. Don’t forget to hire a skip bin for the disposal of soil and leftover aggregate.
Calculating the right amount of aggregate to order is simple.
For example: If your total area is 40sqm, multiply it by the thickness of roadbase/cracker dust in mm. (e.g 0.06 for 60mm or 0.09 for 90mm (80mm roadbase + 10mm cracker dust). So 40 x 0.06 = 2.4 cubic meters is the amount of cracker dust you’ll need. The same equation applies to bin size.

STEP TWO – INSTALLING THE BASE

It’s time to compact the base for your artificial lawn. Fill the area with blue metal dust. Carefully screed the area and thoroughly compact it using a vibrating plate compactor. (Compacting will bring the thickness down approx. 10mm). Lightly dampen the area with water to help bind the dust, which will allow you to identify any sunken areas that need to be filled as you go. Compact for the second time.
Tip: Spend extra time on the base work as the result will be the difference between an average installation job and a professional installation! Try to give the area some contour and body because an overly flat lawn can look “fake”.

STEP THREE – INSTALLING THE SYNTHETIC LAWN

3.1 Ensure that the grains are running in the same direction when laying out the full pieces of lawn.
3.2 Cut your lawn to the desired shape with a sharp Stanley knife when it is laid down. To make the joins look seamless, you need to ensure the seams are cut close to grain.
3.3 Leave about 100mm around all the edges before placing the lawn together so that the joins are not visible. This may vary slightly om one lawn to another.
3.4 Stand back and take a look before joining together. Trust your eyes and adjust if necessary.
3.5 Once you are happy with the join, fold back each piece about 400mm and lay the joining tape (adhesive side up) down the center of the two pieces.
3.6 Using lawn pins anchor the tape down at each end. Peel off the protective tape of the adhesive and place the two pieces back together.
3.7 Trim all the edges (remember to leave 30mm-50mm excess on the perimeter), pin around the outside edges approx 30mm in and 50cm apart. You may also pin either side of the joining tape for extra strength.

Tip: Take care not to trap the blades of the lawn under the pins.

STEP FOUR – FILLING WITH WHITE SAND

For the optimum look, brush the artificial lawn up with a stiff garden broom against the grain. Spread the washed white sand over the lawn as evenly as possible either by hand or shovel. Brush each lot to distribute the sand evenly. Aim for a depth of approximately 5-10mm depending on the pile height of the lawn. (Note: always start with less sand and add more as you go along if you feel the need to). Job well done!

Tip: The sand infill is very important so do not compromise. Not only does it improve the look of the lawn but also more importantly it protects the backing from the UV rays.

Maintenance

How to Maintain Smiling Rock Melbourne Artificial Grass.

MAINTENANCE

Deciding to get synthetic grass is a considerable investment in your property, keeping it well maintained looking at its premium makes good sense. Although synthetic grass doesn’t have the same fortnightly maintenance natural lawn requires, it still needs to be maintained once or twice yearly to ensure it keeps its optimum appearance and performance. An ongoing maintenance service will ensure
that your Artificial Turf will last well beyond its warranty period and is looking its best for you and the family to enjoy for many years to come.

Weeds

No garden is entirely maintenance free! It is impossible to eradicate weeds appearing totally in synthetic grass. Occasionally the wind can blow seeds in and anywhere there is a tiny bit of dirt, sunlight and water, weeds can grow, like in the cracks in between pavers in paved areas. This can sometimes happen to synthetic grass both around the perimeter and in the body of the grass.

These weeds are easy to remove by spraying with a weed killer such as “Round Up.” This will not discolour or damage the appearance of your Artificial Turf and will generally take 8-10 days for the poison to take full effect on the weeds. Remember, always spray in dry conditions and when the weather is going to be fine for a full 48 hours. Don’t pull the weeds out if you spray them, let the poison take its full effect and kill the weeds before removing them.

Stains, Spills, Damage

Synthetic grass is made from a polyethylene fiber and is very resistant to staining. Scraping off any solid residue, then either hosing down or wiping with warm soapy water should promptly clean any spills. Any stubborn marks you can normally remove with a range of cleaning products and a rag, taking precautions not to over saturate.

Pets

Any mess made by pets can easily be scooped, brushed or hosed away. There are products available at pet supply stores especially formulated that can be sprayed onto the synthetic grass surface without damaging it, and removes any pet odors. Waggles “Wee Care” is a proven product for such a use.

General Care

1. Adding more white sand onto the artificial lawn & brushing it up when the grass blades appear to be going flat.
2. Cleaning up after your pets regularly and hosing down. You may use a white vinegar solution mixed with water (50/50 ratio) can remove any stubborn smells.
3. Sweeping off dead leaves to keep the artificial lawn looking neat & tidy.
4. Avoid harsh chemicals coming in contact with your artificial grass.
5. Cigarette burns/ashes and smoldering charcoal can damage your artificial turf.