Artificial grass football pitches are becoming more common in schools and sports clubs across the UK due to their ability to offer a year-round playing surface which is ideal for playing a variety of different sports. However, in order for your pitch to remain at its best, a routine maintenance schedule must be carried out. This is to avoid damage and weathering of the surface, as well as ensure that it can be played on in all weathers.
The first generation of artificial turf was made up of mats which did not resemble real grass at all. The current technology used on most pitches is 3G which is much more realistic, with longer tufts to reduce impact and a combination of rubber crumb and silica sand infills to support the fibres and provide a realistic bounce for balls. This technology has now evolved into 4G which offers a further advancement, allowing the artificial grass to mimic the way that natural turf grows, including the movement of the fibres.
Routine maintenance on a 4G synthetic turf surface includes brushing of the carpet and the rubber and silica infill to remove debris from the artificial grass. These processes should be completed weekly to prevent wear and tear on the artificial turf and to keep infill levels high enough. During the decompaction process, large rakes are dragged over the surface of the football pitch to agitate the rubber infill layer causing it to decompress into a looser state. This helps to reduce the ‘hardening’ of the infill which is caused by mechanical working of the astroturf through player interactions and can cause the pitch to fail field accreditation tests.
As well as removing debris from the astroturf, a deep cleaning process is also undertaken to extract any contaminants and foreign matter which can become trapped between the artificial fibres. Without regular upkeep, these contaminants can lead to a number of problems with the drainage of your synthetic turf, such as poor water permeability and flooding of the surface.
In order to maintain the optimum performance of your synthetic football or hockey surface, it is essential to follow the upkeep regime prescribed by the governing body of the sport, as well as British European standards. This can be achieved through a range of 4G pitch maintenance techniques, from routine brushing and deep cleaning to power sweeping and decompaction maintenance processes.
If you are looking for a company to carry out maintenance on your synthetic sports pitch, then SIS Pitches can manage the entire process for you. Our expert team will create a tailored maintenance programme, ensuring your pitch is kept in the best possible condition, ready for play. Just contact us today to get started.