Mother Earth can wreak havoc on even the most properly cared for turf fields. Following heavy rain, destructive wind gusts, or swamp-like mud and seasonal debris, there are several steps you can take to preserve the quality of your field with minimal effort and basic maintenance strategies. Proactive field care is the best way to prevent costly repairs or field replacements, so if you’re wondering how to best protect your valuable field, check out these basic maintenance guidelines to ensure a consistent and safe athletic surface following inclement weather. 

Maintenance for Excessive Precipitation

Unlike natural grass fields that are prone to pooling and uneven field conditions due to water-induced erosion, the pour-like design of turf allows any excess water to flow directly into the drainage system underneath. This allows the above playing surface to quickly air dry with no effort on your end. While you don’t have to deal with puddling directly on your turf’s surface, it’s important to remedy any areas of water pooling around the field. Once the rain dries or the snow melts, you can fill exterior potholes with dirt infill or gravel to prevent the exterior potholes from growing and undermining the edge of the field surface.

If your field is an area with above-average rain or snow conditions and you notice that your turf is wetter than normal, use an athletic turf maintenance company to inspect your drainage systems and ensure that water is flowing properly. Since turf drainage systems are designed to span the entirety of the field and evenly disperse water, it’s unlikely that you will ever have a problem with blockages or flow. If debris or other objects become lodged within the drainage piping, a simple maintenance visit will have your drainage flowing smoothly in no time. 

Prevent Player Injury & Field Damage After Heavy Winds

You can greatly enhance the longevity of your turf field by proactively removing any natural debris or foreign objects that get blown onto the field. Loose sticks, rocks, and anything else that can snag on players’ feet or get lodged into the woven fibers can prematurely shorten the lifespan of your turf field. You can gently rake the surface with a plastic rake to remove any hidden debris, and carefully search the area for any sharp objects or items that could hurt the players or the field. 

Tips for Hot Spring & Summer Conditions

Depending on the type of turf infill that you have, you may notice that the artificial surface retains more heat than a traditional grass surface. While your team may need to wait until it’s a little cooler outside to play, you’ll never have to worry about watering or spraying dangerous pesticides on the field. 

During the spring and summer months, you’ll want to remove any perimeter growths, continue monitoring the field for any debris or uneven sections of the field, and remember to contact an artificial turf repair company if you ever have a problem!