How to Care for Artificial Turf During Winter in Texas

Artificial grass is designed for durability, with a low maintenance build that drains quickly and withstands low temperatures as well. To better protect your artificial turf during winter weather, the following maintenance tips are recommended:

• Clearing the turf of all debris and leaves – Before the ice and snow arrives in Texas, the leaves begin piling up on the artificial grass, causing potential drainage issues if they aren’t promptly cleared from the turf.
  Leaves and debris may mat the grass blades down and cause drainage problems if heavy precipitation and moisture arrive with a winter front. To prevent this from happening, give your property a thorough fall cleaning and rake those leaves up before ice and snow is in the forecast.
• Removing any snow before it melts, if possible – Snowfalls aren’t especially common in most parts of Texas, but when one does occur, removing the snow promptly will preserve the turf. If the snow melts and refreezes into ice, it may dam up the turf’s drainage system and cause flooding issues on the property.
  If your property does see a lot of snow, the recommendation is to remove it with a snowblower or a plastic snow shovel. Metal snow shovels may damage the turf blades and should therefore be avoided.
• Letting snow and ice completely melt from the turf – When the rare Texas snowstorm does occur, if you don’t have the chance to remove the snow right away, which would be ideal, allow it to completely melt. Avoid using deicing salts because they can wash into the turf’s drainage system and cause clogging. If rapid melting is needed in spots, warm water (not hot) may be applied to the snow, as it won’t harm the artificial grass.
• Brushing the artificial grass blades to stand them up again – If your property has been hit with a round of winter weather recently, any snow may have weighed down the turf and matted down the grass blades. To restore the turf’s appearance and durability, brush the synthetic grass blades in the opposite direction to stand them back up. This can be done with a soft-bristled broom, which every property owner has on hand. If the property is too large to efficiently broom, a professional turf company can provide ongoing maintenance services that include regular brooming.
• Removing any pet waste from the lawn – Pet waste may threaten the artificial turf’s durability if it’s allowed to sit on the grass. As such, it’s a good idea to remove pet waste from the turf no matter the time of year. In the aftermath of a winter storm, it can disrupt yard maintenance and delay pet waste removal. However, be sure to catch up on that maintenance when the ice and snow melt away.
• Inspect the turf after the winter weather – Early signs of artificial grass damage may be impossible to spot without a close look at the turf’s surface. It’s recommended, then, that property owners check their turf once the temperature warms up. In particular, verify that the turf’s nails are in good shape and have not rusted or shifted due to thermal expansion or shrinkage.