SYNLawn — Artificial grass never looked more natural.

artificial grass never looked more natural

Just like building a home, start with a solid foundation

Artificial turf lawn installation

Base Preparation

Building the foundation for your artificial lawn

The following videos show all the steps necessary for a solid base foundation for artificial lawn grass. It is important to take time on preparing your synthetic lawn base for drainage.

Delivery and Moving Aggregate

Delivery of aggregate

When having aggregate delivered to the job site, try to have the load placed as close to the installation area as possible. Always check aggregate before having it dumped to make sure it is the correct rock size and verify your order. You don't want to have to return the aggregate once it has been dumped onto your property. You will need crushed aggregate that has a 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch minus rock size to build the proper base.

If you own or rent the dump truck for the aggregate, try to dump out only what is needed. If you have a large area you can try to dump the aggregate in convenient locations throughout the job site. This makes it easier to spread the aggregate around the installation area.

  • Dump aggregate as close to the job site as possible.
  • Dump only what it is needed if possible.

Spreading Aggregate to Start Sub Base

Spreading aggregate

Spreading aggregate over the installation area is the first step in creating your sub base for SYNLawn. When complete, the sub base will be a hard, smooth surface for the turf to lie over. The sub base gives the turf a solid foundation while providing proper drainage dispersion.

Using a shovel, load your wheelbarrow with as much aggregate as you can safely carry. Dump the aggregate into several piles spaced throughout the installation area. With a landscape rake, work to spread the aggregate into a 2-4 inch layer. Using the flat edge of the landscape rake smooth the aggregate until you have achieved the desired look. Keep working the aggregate until it is as smooth as possible to prepare for compaction.

  • Load wheelbarrow with aggregate and carry to installation area.
  • Use landscape rake to spread aggregate around installation area.
  • Spread and add aggregate until you have a 2-4 inch layer.
  • With the flat side of the rake smooth surface as much as possible.

Using Motorized Kanga to Move Aggregate

Using a small automatic lift

When the job site is in a backyard and dumping access is limited try renting a Kanga lift. A Kanga lift is a front-loading tractor small enough to squeeze through gates or narrow access areas. You can rent these machines or something similar from a local equipment rental company.

Simple to operate, the Kanga lift makes the task of hauling aggregate to the installation area a breeze. Simply scoop a load, which is about twice the amount of a typical wheelbarrow, and haul it to the areas on job site. Depending on the size of the project, this speeds up the moving process considerably.

  • When access is limited use the Kanga lift to squeeze through the gate.
  • Haul aggregate to needed areas of the installation area for easy spreading.

Compacting Aggregate Around Perimeter

Compacting base around perimeter

Using a plate compactor start the compaction process with the outside perimeter. Compact around the perimeter 3-4 times moving inward with each pass before working your way through the inside of the installation area.

Once you have completed compacting the perimeter you are ready to start the main installation area.

  • Start the compaction process by compacting the perimeter of the area first.
  • Continue to circle around perimeter 3 or 4 times moving inward with each pass.

Compacting Main Lawn Area

Compacting main area of base

Once the perimeter is completed start compacting the main area end to end like you would if you were mowing the lawn. Starting at one end move up and down the area in strips as wide as the plate compactor. Similar to mowing, you want to overlap the prior pass slightly. Take your time and don't rush this stage of installation. You may need to repeat this process more than once to achieve proper compaction. Continue compacting until you can no longer make footprints or indentions in the aggregate.

Use a hand tamp for areas unreachable by the plate compactor or smaller areas in corners. You may also need to use the hand tamp to clean up ridges or grooves left by the plate compactor.

  • Like a lawn mower, work end to end moving one strip over with each pass.
  • Work your way back to compacted edge to turn around.

Compacting Defined Areas.

Compacting a defined area

Areas that are bordered by sidewalks, concrete or other defined space require special care. Like the other compaction methods mentioned, start with the perimeter. Working with caution, guide the plate compactor slowly around the defined border. Be aware of your surroundings and work to not run into the concrete or border.

Work the perimeter 2-3 times moving inward with each pass. Once you are satisfied with the outside perimeter you can start compacting the main area end to end. Use hand tamp to compact corners or small areas unreachable by the plate compactor.

  • Work slowly around perimeter 2-3 times moving inward with each pass.
  • Take your time and work to not hit concrete or border with plate compactor.
  • Use hand tamp in corners or other small areas.

Using Hand Tamp

Using a hand tamp

The hand tamp is used to clean up ridges and grooves left behind from the plate compactor. It also comes in handy for smaller areas, corners or places where the plate compactor will not fit. For small installations, hand tamping might be all that is necessary for compaction.

To use simply lift up and down on the areas needing extra attention. Be sure to lift straight up and straight down as to not create uneven spots in the aggregate base. Its better to work an area a couple of times rather than trying to achieve total compaction with one blow. Work the area in question with several tamps to work aggregate to level.

  • Use the hand tamp to clean up grooves left by the plate compactor.
  • Work the problem areas until the base is smooth and level.

Smoothing Edges With Trowel

Using a trowel around edges of base

Depending on the landscape, you may not be able to achieve a level edge around the area using the plate compactor. Use a trowel followed by a hand tamp for these areas before continuing the installation process.

After you have compacted as much of the area as possible with the plate compactor spray down the aggregate with water. It is important that the base be wet before using the trowel. The trowel draws the water to the surface and makes it easier to work with the aggregate. Use the side of the trowel to move the granite to needed areas. And use the flat bottom of the trowel to smooth and level the area. Always follow with a hand tamp to ensure proper compaction around the edges.

  • Move aggregate to needed areas with the side of the trowel.
  • Smooth areas with the flat bottom of the trowel and follow with a hand tamp.

Screening Aggregate to Remove Rocks

Screening large rocks in aggregate

As an optional final step in compacting the sub base, use a screen or drag rake over the entire area. This helps level any inconsistencies on the base surface and removes larger rocks and debris.

Start by loosening the top of the base surface with a landscape rake. In a circular motion, drag the screen over the entire area. Start with the perimeter and work your way towards the center. Once you have completed screening the aggregate, spray down the base with a garden hose and re-compact the base with the plate compactor and hand tamp.

This final step is recommended to ensure a level sub base but not required.

  • Start at the perimeter and work towards the center.
  • Screening helps remove larger rocks and debris.
  • When complete, hose down and re-compact base.

Wetting Down Aggregate

Wetting down aggregate

The last step in building your sub base is to wet down the aggregate. This creates a harder top layer for your base. Sometimes, it's a good idea to compact the base with the plate compacter and hand tamp one final time. If you do re-compact the base, you will may need to spray it down again before proceeding.

To do this properly, spray down the entire surface until it is almost to the saturation point. Do not spray too much water on the base. You want to avoid making puddles or over saturating.

  • Spray down entire base area until it is almost to the saturation point.
  • Do not spray too much water or over saturate the base.