November 08, 2022

San Francisco residents appreciate synthetic grass for its ability to endure bad weather and emerge from winter looking great. You will not have to stress out about frost harming your turf, but there are a few steps to follow throughout winter to ensure your artificial turf is in its greatest condition for spring. Read on to find out more.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Let’s kick it off with a few of the most common questions we get as we install artificial grass in San Francisco. Especially questions about caring for your turf in the freezing weather.

WHAT DOES SNOW DO TO SYNTHETIC TURF?

Ice shouldn’t have a big influence on your artificial grass. It is totally okay to play or walk on it if there is a blanket of snow. The blades may lay flat with the weight of the snow, but it usually springs back up on its own or, in a handful of situations, with a bit of additional help from a power broom. Snow will not change the color or impact the artificial yard.

WILL FROST HURT MY ARTIFICIAL TURF?

No, frost will not damage artificial turf. But each turf blades do experience freezing in intense cold, walking on the grass while it’s winter will not cause any concerns. When spring comes and there’s no additional forecast of frost, you can utilize a strong broom to help it back to life.

DO I HAVE TO COVER MY ARTIFICIAL GRASS?

You do not need to cover your grass, but you absolutely can if an especially rough winter is expected in San Francisco. Just bear in mind that you won’t have to cover portions that are being used because snow might make tarps slippery and tricky to walk on.

CAN I SHOVEL SNOW OFF SYNTHETIC GRASS?

No, you have to avoid shoveling snow off your artificial grass except when absolutely necessary. If you do need to shovel a path, use a handheld blower to remove any snow or debris.

CAN I USE SALT OR ICE MELT ON MY GRASS?

You should under no circumstances utilize any ice melt salt on your synthetic turf. Salt can obstruct up the holes in the backing system and badly impact your yard’s drainage capabilities. The corrosive salt and chemicals can also react the backing system, causing turf blades that start pulling away from the backing. We strongly advise you to let ice melt naturally for the best results.

WILL SNOW MELT QUICKER ON SYNTHETIC TURF?

Synthetic turf surfaces can be warmer compared to organic grass, that means that 1-2 inches of snow will melt faster than it would on regular grass. Because artificial grass is uniformly spread, it allows enhanced aeration to speed up the snow-melting process.

DOES ARTIFICIAL GRASS GET ICY?

Not really, however, much like regular grass, some artificial surfaces can get slippery in freezing weather. Thus, you should use the same care you do stepping on every wintery surface, especially if San Francisco has been experiencing freezing rain.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE PRIOR TO SNOWFALL?

You should certainly do a nice fall maintenance routine prior to any snowfall. Removing natural things like branches, leaves, etc., are essential. You can check out our complete guide for cleaning your artificial lawn to get particulars on what to do. Carrying out Southwest Greens maintenance in the spring is always a good time, making sure your turf is ready for the warmer months to arrive.