November 08, 2022

A lot of Detroit and all of Michigan homeowners love synthetic turf for its ability to endure bad weather and survive winter looking beautiful. You will not have to stress out about frost destroying your grass, but there are a few steps to follow during winter to make sure your artificial turf is in its finest shape for spring. Continue reading to learn more.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Let’s get started with a few of the most frequently asked questions we receive as we install artificial turf in Detroit and all of Michigan. Particularly, questions regarding caring for your turf in the winter season.

WHAT DOES SNOWFALL DO TO SYNTHETIC GRASS?

Ice shouldn’t have a major influence on your artificial turf. It is totally fine to play or walk on it if there is a layer of snow. The blades might mat down beneath the weight of the snow, but it generally lifts back up by itself or, in a handful of situations, with a bit of extra help from a power broom. Snow will not modify the color or impact the artificial lawn.

WILL FROST HURT MY ARTIFICIAL TURF?

No, frost will not damage artificial grass. The individual grass fiber blade does freeze in intense cold, walking on the turf during the winter will not cause any problems. When spring comes and there’s no further chance of frost, you can use a stiff broom to help it back to life.

DO I NEED TO COVER MY SYNTHETIC TURF?

You don’t have to cover your synthetic grass, but you certainly can if a particularly harsh winter is forecasted in Detroit and all of Michigan. Just bear in mind that you will not want to cover areas that are being used because snow will make tarps slippery and unsafe to walk on.

CAN I SHOVEL SNOW OFF SYNTHETIC TURF?

No, you have to avoid shoveling snow off your turf except when totally necessary. If you do need to clear a path, choose a handheld blower to take care of any debris or snow.

CAN I USE SALT OR ICE MELT ON MY TURF?

You must under no circumstances use any ice melt salt on your artificial grass. Salt can plug up the drains in the backing system and negatively affect your yard’s drainage ability. The corrosive salt and chemicals can also degrade the backing system, causing turf blades which start to pull away from the backing. We firmly advise you to let ice melt on its own for the desired results.

WILL SNOW MELT QUICKER ON SYNTHETIC TURF?

Artificial turf surfaces can get warmer than regular grass, which means that a couple of inches of snow will melt faster than it would on regular turf. Because synthetic grass is equally spread, it enables enhanced aeration to accelerate the snow-melting process.

DOES SYNTHETIC TURF GET ICY?

Not normally, however, much like organic grass, some synthetic surfaces can get slippery in freezing weather. So, you should use the same care you do stepping on any wintery surface, especially if Detroit and all of Michigan has been experiencing freezing rain.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE BEFORE SNOWFALL?

You should definitely do a nice fall maintenance routine before any snowfall. Getting rid of natural things like leaves, branches, etc., are crucial. You can learn more about our full guide for cleaning your synthetic grass to get details on what to do. Doing Southwest Greens maintenance in the spring is always a great time, making sure your ground is prepared for the warmer months to arrive.