Artificial Turf Care & Maintenance Guide

Your GI Landscape turf install is engineered to last 15-20 years with proper care. Most of that care is “don't do the wrong things” — turf is dramatically lower-maintenance than real grass, but a few bad habits can shorten its life by years.

This guide covers the monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks that keep your turf looking new. Everything below applies to residential installs in the Portland metro and Willamette Valley climate.

Daily

• Pick up solid pet wasteas you would on grass. Turf backing is sealed; solids don't absorb. A pooper scooper and biodegradable bag is enough.
• Sweep off leaves and debris from heavily-trafficked spots. A leaf blower on low is gentler than a rake.

Weekly (May through September)

• 60-second hose rinseof high-traffic zones — especially anywhere pets relieve themselves. Quality turf drains at 80+ inches per hour, so flooding is impossible. You're flushing residual urine salts down through the gravel base before they build up.
• Cool-down rinse on hot days.On 90°F+ afternoons in Portland (about 15 days per year on average), the turf surface can get hotter than real grass. A 10-second hose-down drops surface temp to ambient and keeps it there for an hour or two.

Monthly

• Brush against the blade direction to keep the pile upright. A stiff push-broom works. Spend 5 minutes per 200 sq ft. This is what makes a 10-year-old install still look new.
• Vinegar rinse on pet zones(multi-dog households). Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water in a garden sprayer. Spray the dog's favorite spots, let sit 5 minutes, hose off. Neutralizes ammonia and breaks down uric acid crystals before they smell.

Quarterly

• Enzymatic cleanerfor multi-pet yards. Simple Solution, Nature's Miracle, or any pet-odor enzymatic cleaner works. Apply per the bottle, let it work, rinse.
• Inspect seams + edges.Walk the perimeter. Look for edges starting to lift or seams pulling apart. Catch problems early. If you see anything, call us — minor fixes are free under your warranty.

Annually

• Zeolite infill top-dress (pet yards).If your install included zeolite infill — the natural mineral that absorbs urine ammonia — refresh it once a year at 1-2 lbs per square foot. Recharges the absorption capacity. We do this as a $200-$300 service call or can show you how to DIY.
• Power brush + infill rebalancing. Over years of use, infill migrates. A power broom redistributes it and brings the pile back to factory upright. We offer this as part of an annual maintenance plan.

Things to NEVER do

• Don't use bleach. It degrades the polyurethane backing and voids most manufacturer warranties.
• Don't pressure wash on high. Lifts seams, blasts infill out, damages the blades. A garden hose on light spray is plenty.
• Don't set hot grills directly on the turf.Use a heat-resistant pad. Direct contact with 400°F+ surfaces melts the blades.
• Don't park vehicles on it. Designed for foot traffic, not 3,000-lb point loads. Compresses the infill and crushes the base.
• Don't ignore standing water.Quality turf drains 80+ inches/hour. If you see water pooling, the base or drainage is failing — call us. Don't wait until it smells.

The 4-week summer rule

If you're doing nothing else, hose down the pet area once a week from June through September. That single habit prevents 90% of the smell complaints we hear from people who installed turf with someone else.

When to call us

• Water pooling that doesn't drain within minutes
• Seams pulling apart or edges lifting
• Visible dips or settling more than 1/2 inch
• Persistent odor that vinegar + enzyme rinse don't fix
• Tear or damage to the surface
• Anything inside your 5-year hardscape warranty window

Calling us is free

Site visits to inspect your install are free. If it's a warranty claim, the fix is free. If it's wear-and-tear, we'll quote the repair before doing it. 503-984-1670 or contact form.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a regular leaf blower?

Yes, on a low setting. High-power gas blowers can lift the seams; battery blowers and electric models on medium are fine. Blow with the blade grain, not against.

What about dog urine over time?

A weekly summer rinse handles 95% of it. The other 5% is the deep cleaning cycle (vinegar monthly, enzyme quarterly, zeolite annually). Done together, a dog yard with our install stays odor-free indefinitely.

Do I need to vacuum or rake?

No vacuuming. Light raking is fine for picking up large debris but a leaf blower or stiff broom is faster and gentler on the blades.

What if my dog digs at it?

Quality pet turf with a properly compacted base resists digging better than real grass — there's nothing under the surface for the dog to dig at. If a dog does manage to lift an edge, we'll re-secure it under your warranty.

How long does the manufacturer warranty last?

Depends on the SKU you picked. Most premium turf comes with 15-20 year UV warranties from the manufacturer plus our 5-year install warranty on the base and seams. Both warranties are documented on your signed contract.