Athletic Fields – Synthetic Turf

We recommend three core maintenance steps for synthetic fields and can provide additional services as needed.

Step 1: Routine Brush Grooming

Every synthetic field needs regular brushing to stand the fibers up and keep the infill evenly distributed. The right grooming schedule depends on how the field is used.

• Light use fields such as grade schools or community fields may only need grooming once a month.
• High use fields such as college football, soccer, or multi sport facilities often require weekly attention.

Using a factory approved drag brush, we:

• Lift and straighten the turf fibers so they are not matted down
• Redistribute infill that has been pushed away from heavy wear areas
• Help maintain a more consistent surface from goal to goal

We avoid brushing in the same precise patterns every time. Instead, we vary our passes and pay special attention to high traffic areas like center fields, face off circles, penalty spots, and goal mouths.

When infill levels drop and stay low, carpet fibers are exposed and wear out faster. Routine grooming helps prevent that kind of premature damage.

Step 2: Infill De-compaction

Over time, crumb rubber and sand infill settle and compact under constant cleat pressure. Compacted infill affects both drainage and playability. Water may stand longer on the surface and athletes can feel a harder, less forgiving field.

Using a specially designed spring tooth harrow, we:

• Loosen and agitate the infill layer
• Break up compacted areas to restore resilience
• Re level the infill so it supports the turf fibers properly

Depth of penetration is carefully controlled so we do not disturb the base layer of sand or stone beneath the turf.

Most fields begin to show signs of infill compaction after three to four years without proper maintenance. We recommend a full infill de-compaction at least once per calendar year or more often on heavily used fields.

Step 3: Surface And Deep Debris Cleaning

Even with good housekeeping, synthetic fields collect debris. Leaves, pine needles, seeds, rubber chunks, bottle caps, athletic tape, and other foreign materials work their way down into the infill. Over time this contamination can affect drainage and field performance.

Our Verti-Top synthetic turf cleaning machine is built specifically for this job. It:

• Uses spring tines to reach down into the infill and bring debris to the surface
• Sweeps the surface with a rotary broom to lift material into the machine
• Separates debris from crumb rubber so the infill can be returned to the field
• Passes a powerful magnet over the surface to capture any metal objects
• Finishes with a trailing brush that leaves a smooth, clean, and loose surface

The Verti-Top is equipped with a vacuum system to keep dust and fine particles from returning to the field.

We recommend a full deep cleaning at least quarterly or more frequently for high use facilities. For lighter needs, such as seasonal leaf and needle cleanup, we can perform an abbreviated sweeping at a lower cost.