Artificial Turf Sport Surfacing Maintenance is an important investment in field integrity and longevity, as well as athlete safety. Athletes are subjected to a lot of physical pounding on their bodies, and if not properly maintained, the synthetic surface can begin to break down-posing hidden dangers that could lead to long-term injury. A proper maintenance program includes a combination of techniques that involve sweeping, cleaning, sanding, decompaction and infill replenishment.
A thorough cleaning is one of the most crucial aspects of maintaining an artificial turf sports field. A clean synthetic sports field reduces the risk of bacteria and fungus buildup on the surface, which can cause players to slip or become injured. Additionally, a regular cleaning will preserve the color of the field, so that it retains its bright green appearance.
Synthetic Turf Sport Surfaces are designed to be a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass fields and can be used for many sports and activities. However, like any surface that receives heavy use, it will need to be cleaned regularly. Some of the most common types of debris that accumulate on artificial turf surfaces include leaves, dirt, and other organic materials that can damage the surface. In addition, these items can promote weed growth, which can negatively impact the playing quality of a synthetic field.
The first step in preventing debris from collecting on a synthetic turf surface is to sweep the entire surface several times a week using a lawn sweeper or leaf blower. This helps to remove any organic debris that may be present on the field before it can begin to decompose. This process will also help to prevent weeds and other unwanted plants from growing on the surface.
In addition to sweeping, a professional maintenance team should be hired to perform regular maintenance services on the synthetic field. These services should include inspections to identify any tears in the seams and inlays and repairs as needed. The maintenance team should also perform decompaction and redistribution of the infill (a combination of rubber granules and sand) on the field to improve shock absorption and restore the playability of the field to its original specifications.
A common concern with synthetic surfaces is that the infill can become hard over time. This is due to the bouncing and vibrations that occur on a field, which can compress and compact the infill. This can have a negative impact on the G-max score of a field, which is the maximum amount of force that is transferred from an athlete to the ground. This can result in a higher incidence of concussions.
To prevent this, a sports field maintenance professional should regularly decompact the infill on the synthetic field and then re-distribute it. This will help to keep the infill loose and evenly distributed. It will also ensure that the infill reaches the required depth to provide adequate shock absorbency. The level of infill can also be inspected to make sure it meets the manufacturer’s specifications.