DIY Section

INSTALLATION GUIDE

 

Synthetic grass can be used in a wide variety of applications and the installation techniques will vary depending on the style of grass. There are a number of basic principles, however, which should always be followed.

 

  1. In all cases it is essential to ensure that the sub-base on which the synthetic grass is to be laid is of good standard. Being a flexible product synthetic grass will reflect any deficiencies in the sub-base. Bumps and lumps in the sub-base will be repeated in the synthetic grass surface. Similarly “bird baths” or “depressions” in the sub-base will allow water to pond on the surface.
  2. The sub-base should be properly compacted and adequately drained. For tennis courts and similar installations the sub-base should have a slope of 1% in any one single plain. This can be from side to side, front to rear or diagonal corner to diagonal corner.
  3. Yarn dye batches can vary but unless advised otherwise each roll of synthetic grass product when supplied as part of a specific order will be of compatible dye batch. A coloured stitch line on the right side of the roll identifies pile direction.

 

 

REQUIRED TOOLS FOR SYNTHETIC GRASS INSTALLATION:

 

  • Tape measure
  • Chalk line and Chalk
  • Stanley knife
  • Metal straight edge
  • Notched trowel
  • Carpet trolley
  • Ashford Green synthetic grass adhesive
  • Sand spreader/ Wheelbarrow
  • Shovel
  • Broom

 

 

INSTALLATION CHECKLIST: BEFORE YOU START LAYING

 

  • Check you have sufficient quantity of synthetic grass, joining tape, adhesive, sand and rubber if required
  • Your tools are cleaned and ready for work
  • The base is adequately prepared
  • The weather conditions are adequate (outdoor installation)

 

 

SYNTHETIC GRASS INSTALLATION:

 

  1. As soon as possible after delivery, packing bands around rolls should be released.
  2. Rolls are to be rolled out in their approximate position and allowed 30 minutes to relax before cutting.
  3. Carpet and tape should not be adhered to base. (Tensioning by stop nails is an advantage, providing nails are removed from final court or landscaped area).
  4. Tape will be spread with adhesive to a minimum width of 40cm.
  5. Seam joins should be slightly loose to avoid peaking (undercut rather than over cut by no more than a stitch row gap)
  6. All seaming joins should be “hand teased” together, then rolled with a hand roller.
  7. It is recommended that only joining tape supplied by Ashford Green Synthetic Lawn will be used.
  8. Edges for tennis courts will not be glued down unless instructed otherwise, or at the junction of the courts if there is more than one court involved.
  9. It is recommended that only Ashford Green Synthetic Lawn adhesive be used.
  10. Adhesive will be spread in strict accordance with Ashford Green’s instructions, which are printed on the drum labels – the spread rates and trowel sizes must be adhered to:

Trowel size: 3.5mm x 3.5mm x 3.5mm V or square notch.

Coverage: 1 – 3 m2 per litre.

  1. Be very careful to avoid getting adhesive on the pile face. If adhesive does spill or come into contact with the yarn, dissolve immediately with thinners. (mineral turpentine does work, but not as well as thinners)
  2. Lay back carpet edges and place joining tape evenly either side of join.  Securing one end can help with trowelling the adhesive and avoiding movement.
  3. For hard to hold carpet or when installing over low absorbent substrates, it may be necessary to allow a short tack up time of 10mins. However, roll back edges of carpet within 1 hour of applying adhesive.
  4. Lightly roll or tamp down carpet with feet to ensure a firm bond. Do not allow traffic for 48 hrs.
  5. If using adhesive to stick carpet to a hard subfloor, the subfloor must be clean,  structurally sound, dry and free from all contaminants which will inhibit good adhesion – this includes polishes, paint, waterproofing membranes, concrete curing agents and laitance. Deep indentations and cracks should be treated with the appropriate cementitious screed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

 

 

APPLYING THE INFILL

 

  1. Other than basic sand filling techniques the infill and fibrillation techniques  are reasonably involved and need to be discussed with Ashford Green installers.
  2. Sanding can be commenced after joint adhesive has cured (other than in Tennis court application)
  3. The use of a suitable fertilizer spreader is an excellent way of distributing kiln dried sand through the carpet pile. Recommended depths and infill type vary  depending on the installed product.
  4. Brooming sand with a stiff broom or powered broom is recommended after Spreading.

*  Notes on Tennis Court installation    

    • Roll out carpet piece and align to chalk line.
    • Allow to relax.
    • Commence sanding from center.
    • Continue to sand out to 300mm-450mm from all edges.
    • Cut and glue join.
    • Sand joint immediately to avoid any seam peaking, brushing along the grain, not across.
    • On completion, sand will be topped up and leveled out properly.

All lines are tufted in with the exception of the service line, which should be laid (cut in) last. Lines for service line from extra base and center lines.

On completion and before the final sand, all joins should be checked.

NO JOINS SHOULD BE VISIBLE by either a change in pile or too big a cut.


Please call Ashford Green for DIY material

Ashford Green
33 North Tce
Hackney SA 5069
Tel: (08) 8363 7251
Fax: (08) 8363 7665
E-mail: info@ashfordgreen.com.au