Common Fake Grass Installation Mistakes in Los Angeles and Southern California (and How You Can Prevent Them)

Synthetic grass has become a go-to landscaping option for Los Angeles and Southern California homeowners seeking a visually appealing, low-maintenance lawn. Whether you're installing artificial turf for dogs, building a backyard putting green, or simply swapping out your traditional lawn with hard-wearing lawn turf grass, the results can be impressive. But provided that the setup is done correctly.

A lot of homeowners make costly errors during fake grass installation that can result in drainage problems, noticeable seams, premature wear, and an unnatural appearance. The good news? Most of these mistakes are easy to avoid when you know what to watch for.

Mistake #1: Poor Base Preparation

The base of any successful synthetic grass installation is what lies beneath the surface. Low-cost installers cut corners on or completely skip proper base preparation, which causes future issues.

The Problem: Without a properly compacted base, your artificial grass can develop depressions, uneven surfaces, and poor drainage performance. This is especially problematic for artificial grass for pets, where adequate drainage is essential for odor control and cleanliness.

How We Avoid It: When building the foundation for commercial pet spaces, we use non-compacted stone for enhanced drainage. We excavate the soil and install a crushed stone base. Correct grading with a subtle slope ensures water moves away from foundations and doesn't collect on the surface. This essential step requires specialized equipment and expertise to get right.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Drainage Requirements

Drainage problems is one of the most common complaints about artificial turf installations, yet it's fully preventable with proper planning and experience.

The Problem: When water can’t drain properly through and away from your synthetic grass, you'll be left with puddles, waterlogged sections, and mildew and mold development. For Los Angeles and Southern California property owners with artificial turf for dogs, poor drainage can also lead to unsanitary conditions and persistent odors.

How We Avoid It: Our installation team assess your site drainage requirements before the project starts. Professional installation includes drainage channels in low-lying areas and always preserves correct slope away from foundations. This professional knowledge eliminates costly water-related problems that can affect DIY installs.

Mistake #3: Visible or Poorly Executed Seams

Few things ruin the look of synthetic grass more quickly than visible seams that create lines across your lawn, a clear indicator of lack of experience.

The Problem: Bad seam placement, incorrect turf grain, or inadequate seaming techniques result in obvious lines that make your artificial lawn look artificial and poorly installed.

How We Avoid It: Our crew carefully plans seam positions, avoiding frequently used spots and placing them where they'll be least noticeable. They ensure the turf grain of connected turf pieces runs in the same direction and use seam tape with quality outdoor adhesive made for artificial grass. For specialty areas like a backyard putting green, we deliver virtually invisible seams that preserve the aesthetic quality of your project.

Mistake #4: Picking the Incorrect Turf Product

Not all artificial grass is the same, and selecting the wrong turf for your application can cause frustration.

The Problem: Using turf that doesn’t match your intended purpose results in disappointment down the road. Selecting putting green turf for a pet area or selecting a product with inadequate pile height for your environment are common mistakes. Different applications require different turf features.

How We Avoid It: We guide you toward the best option for your exact requirements. First, confirming you have the best options for your geographic area is best practice. For artificial grass for pets, you need products specifically designed with superior drainage and durable fibers that resist staining. Artificial turf for dogs features higher face weights that can endure frequent activity. When installing a backyard putting green, we select turf with the proper stimp rating and performance for your experience level. SWG makes premium synthetic turf with specific characteristics in mind, which determines qualities like pile height, ounce weight, and best application for you and your family, helping avoid subpar results and disappointment later.

Mistake #5: Insufficient or Incorrect Infill Application

Infill material serves multiple purposes in fake grass installation: it adds weight, helps blades stand upright, offers cushioning, and supports drainage. Applying infill correctly requires skill and care.

The Problem: Leaving out infill, choosing the wrong infill, or not applying enough leads to matted grass, drainage problems, and a surface that looks and feels unnatural. Excess infill can also cause issues by making the surface too firm and holding heat.

How We Avoid It: Infill materials include silica sand or antimicrobial sand for pet areas like K9 sand. We install infill uniformly using specialized equipment. We then professionally brush the turf after the infill process to push it into the fiber and allow blades to stand upright, achieving that perfect authentic appearance. If you want your turf to reduce heat in the hot summer months, you should also consider HydroChill®, which has an antimicrobial agent.

Mistake #6: Omitting Weed Barrier Fabric

Certain installers omit weed barrier fabric to save time or money, but this shortcut almost always creates problems and causes future maintenance issues.

The Problem: Without a proper weed barrier, you'll battle weeds pushing through your synthetic grass, which are difficult to remove without damaging the turf.

How We Avoid It: We always include a professional-grade, breathable weed barrier fabric under the compacted base before installing turf. Weed barrier helps prevent the base from moving. It is especially useful in cooler areas where weeds can grow aggressively. Weeds typically won’t grow up through the base and the turf, as sunlight cannot reach. But they can grow in the sand infill, which can be controlled naturally by professional maintenance once a year.

Mistake #7: Underestimating Installation Complexity

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is overlooking what professional synthetic grass installation requires. What looks simple often involves complex technical challenges.

The Problem: Artificial grass installation involves specialized know-how of grading, drainage, subsurface conditions, climate factors, and product specifications. Installations with elevation changes, complex layouts like tee lines, or custom features like backyard putting greens require professional expertise. Amateur installations often become more expensive when issues happen, and the installation must be replaced by trained installers.

How We Avoid It: Our trained experts bring years of expertise, professional tools, and proven techniques to every project. They account for soil composition, proper drainage engineering, and how various products behave in various conditions. Professional installation saves you time, avoids costly mistakes, and comes with warranties that protect your investment.

The Bottom Line

A high-quality, reliable fake grass installation requires experience, attention to detail, the right materials, and correct techniques. While the cost in professional installation may seem significant upfront, it's far less expensive than repairing mistakes that come from a bad install.