Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / amabrao
Let’s begin with the knowledge that synthetic-turf fields are NOT maintenance-free. With that aside, let’s look at what it takes to properly maintain a synthetic-turf field to ensure the longest life possible. After all, it’s hard enough to come by budget dollars. Don’t you want to stretch them as far as you can?
Infill Material
For starters, be aware that whatever comes off of the fields must be replaced. Whether all crumb rubber or a rubber/sand mix, the infill material that disappears as it is carried off by players, wind, rain, snow, snow removal, routine maintenance, etc., needs to be replenished because it is the supporting substance of these fields. And when turf fibers are laid over with minimal support—causing them to prematurely break off—this is a lethal combination. The worst enemy to the fibers of the synthetic-turf field is the sun’s ultraviolet rays day after day. Maintaining a proper amount of crumb rubber and allowing only approximately a ½ to ¾ of an inch of fiber exposed prevents the fibers from folding over, and minimizes the ultraviolet rays breaking down the materials. On average, an athlete or end-user will carry off 3 to 4 pounds of infill material during a playing season. To calculate your needs, measure the amount of crumb rubber in a variety of locations within the synthetic field boundaries to determine what is already there. Measure 10 locations using the ASTM 1936-10 guidelines for Gmax testing as the test points. If the turf is 2¼ inches tall and there is less than 1½ to 1¾ inches of infill, you need to add more. Most crumb-rubber infill calculates to 0.55 pounds per square foot for a ¼-inch lift. Most rubber/sand infill systems will not need additional sand as they tend to stay stable within the turf. There are rare occasions when the sand is removed due to operations (snow plowing) or torrential downpours that cause flooding and must be added to the mix.
Grooming
Using a groomer designed for synthetic turf, such as the Greens Groomer or the Wiedenmann units, is highly recommended. Adjust the groomer so that it lightly touches the fibers to provide the best results; do not lower the entire weight of the groomer onto the turf unless you are trying to level out or move crumb rubber to fill an area, such as a lacrosse goal crease. When tickling the fibers with the groomer’s brushes, the intent is to stand the fibers up to minimize the lay-over from use.