Artificial Grass Gone Wrong: 9 Problems That Will Make You Think Twice

Artificial grass can be a beautiful and low-maintenance alternative to real grass, but it's not without its problems. In fact, some homeowners have reported issues with their artificial grass after just a few years.

One of the most common complaints is that artificial grass can be extremely hot to walk on during the summer months, with temperatures reaching up to 160°F in direct sunlight. This can be especially problematic for pets and children who may not be able to avoid the hot surface.

Some homeowners have also reported that their artificial grass is prone to fading, with colors becoming dull and uneven over time. This can be due to a variety of factors, including exposure to sunlight and heavy foot traffic.

In some cases, artificial grass has even been known to harbor mold and mildew, which can be a serious health concern for people with allergies or respiratory issues.

For more insights, see: Does Synthetic Grass Get Hot

Synthetic turf is made up of several layers, including plastic grass blades, plastic backing that holds the blades in place, and infill that provides cushioning, weighs down the turf, and helps the blades stand upright.

Until recently, all infill was made with recycled ground up tires called "crumb rubber". The grass blades and backing in synthetic turf is made with the use of PFAS (known as "forever chemicals").

PFAS chemicals are endocrine (hormone) disruptors and linked to decreased sperm count, as well as increased rates of infertility, risk of cancer, immune disorders, and more. Some manufacturers claim that their artificial turf is now PFAS-free, but this has not been supported by research.

Artificial turf contains hundreds of harmful chemicals like lead, heavy metals, benzene, arsenic, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), PFAS, and phthalates, some of which are cancer-causing (carcinogens), neurotoxins, and/or endocrine disruptors.

The levels of lead in synthetic turf vary between playing fields, with all 14 studies that tested for lead containing it, including a virgin rubber sample. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe blood lead level.

Worth a look: What Is Artificial Grass Made of

Synthetic turf has several problems that make it less than ideal for outdoor use. Artificial turf breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics, which are carried by the wind and contaminate the soil and water systems.

One of the most common problems with artificial grass is improper drainage, which can cause puddling and damage to the turf. This can lead to a squishy, wet surface that's uncomfortable to walk on and can also damage the turf, reducing its lifespan.

Synthetic turf also has a limited lifespan of around 8-10 years, after which it needs to be replaced. The average athletic field uses 400,000 pounds of infill and 40,000 pounds of artificial turf carpet, which is a significant amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or is burned, contaminating the environment.

If you have little ones who like to run around with bare feet, it's essential to consider that artificial grass can heat up on hot days—and potentially cause burns.

Artificial turf can melt, but it's usually not from the weather. Most synthetic grass can withstand temperatures up to 175 degrees to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

The glare from outdoor mirrors, windows, or other reflective surfaces can make your turf much hotter than the surrounding temperature.

On a similar theme: Artificial Turf vs Real Grass

Drainage problems are a common issue with artificial grass. Improper drainage can cause puddling, leading to a squishy, wet turf that's not comfortable or aesthetically pleasing to walk on.

Water can damage the artificial grass, reducing its lifespan. This is especially true if the soil becomes compacted, making it nearly impossible to fix without removing the turf.

Most artificial grass companies design the turf with a permeable weave to allow water to pass through. However, encouraging the water to permeate the soil past this point is another story.

To prevent soil compaction, it's essential to mix the base soil with loose sediment. This will help keep the soil from becoming too compacted over the years.

If water pools and collects, you risk drowning your plants or, even worse, fungus growth. Fungus loves to grow in wet areas and can kill your plants, grass, and the surrounding yard.

Here are some key tips to ensure proper drainage:

In flood-prone areas, consider adding additional drainage channels beneath the turf to enhance water flow.

Installing artificial grass can be a bit tricky, requiring patience and practice to align the seams properly between rolls, which is often best left to a local turf installer.

Artificial grass can also be prone to uneven coloring due to uneven sun exposure, with one side of the lawn getting more sun than the other.

Drainage problems and sinkholes from local burrowing creatures can cause patches of uneven ground, making your lawn look less than perfect.

Artificial grass won't always hold up in the sunlight forever, leading to a loss of its original beauty and comfort over time.

It's not uncommon for artificial turf to dry up, harden, and break down over time, especially if it's not properly maintained.

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Skipping proper planning and measurement can lead to a world of trouble when it comes to artificial grass installation. Inaccurate measurements can result in overspending or awkward gaps in your lawn.

You've got to measure twice, double-checking your dimensions and adding extra for cutting and edging. This simple step can save you from costly mistakes down the line.

Think long-term when planning your layout, considering factors like sunlight exposure, drainage, and intended use. This will help you create a functional and beautiful space that meets your needs.

Mark out your space with spray paint or string to visualize the final layout before cutting the turf. This expert tip can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure a perfect fit.

To break up large spaces and reduce wear in high-traffic zones, plan pathways or stepping stone areas. This can add visual interest to your lawn while also extending its lifespan.

Here's a quick checklist to keep in mind:

Artificial turf is not just a harmless alternative to natural grass, but it also poses significant environmental concerns. Synthetic turf breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics, which are carried long distances by the wind and leach into water systems, storm drains, and contaminate the soil.

A fresh viewpoint: Turf Shoes on Artificial Grass

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that synthetic turf only lasts about eight to ten years, after which it needs to be replaced. According to the Synthetic Turf Council, the average athletic field uses 400,000 pounds of infill and 40,000 pounds of artificial turf carpet. This means that a staggering amount of plastic and rubber waste is generated every year.

This waste has no known way to be recycled, so it ends up in landfills or is burned, contaminating the environment. In fact, a study in Barcelona, Spain found that artificial grass fibers accounted for 15% of plastic pieces larger than 5 mm within 1 kilometer from the shore.

Here are some key statistics on the environmental impact of artificial turf:

Installing artificial grass can be detrimental to the soil, requiring homeowners to remove their current turf and modify the top layer of soil with a permeable sub-base.

This process can leave the soil in rough shape due to high summer temperatures, poor ventilation, and constant foot traffic without amendments.

The soil may take time to rejuvenate if you decide to return to a natural groundcover plant later on.

Natural turf, on the other hand, allows for regular maintenance like aerating, fertilizing, and reseeding the grass twice per year.

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Artificial turf can let off a strong plastic smell, especially when it heats up. This is a common complaint among homeowners who have installed artificial turf in their yards.

Some brands of artificial turf are more prone to this problem than others. For example, the moment the local parade of pups walks by and leaves waste on your lawn, you'll end up with some lingering odors.

The loss of fresh scents is another drawback of artificial turf. Ground cover plants, like those that release the smell of morning dew, are a big part of what makes a yard feel fresh and natural.

Artificial turf can't replicate the natural scents of a yard, and that's something to consider when deciding whether to install it.

For your interest: Natural Artificial Grass

Artificial turf can be tough on small animals, especially their paws. Heated artificial turf can leave them with no shelter from the sun.

Bees, butterflies, birds, and insects are essential for a balanced ecosystem, and they often visit our backyards. Without them, surrounding flowers, shrubs, and trees can struggle.

The loss of these pollinators and natural pest predators can have a ripple effect on the environment. It's a reminder to appreciate and protect the wildlife in our own backyards.

Synthetic turf breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics (less than 5 mm), which are carried long distances by the wind and leach into water systems, storm drains, and contaminate the soil. This is a major environmental concern.

A study in Barcelona, Spain found that artificial grass fibers accounted for 15% of plastic pieces larger than 5 mm within 1 kilometer from the shore. This highlights the far-reaching impact of synthetic turf on our environment.

Synthetic turf only lasts about eight to ten years, which means it needs to be replaced frequently. The average athletic field uses 400,000 pounds of infill and 40,000 pounds of artificial turf carpet.

There is no known way to recycle artificial turf, which means it ends up in landfills or gets burned, contaminating the environment even further. This is a significant problem, as 1,200 to 1,500 new fields are being installed each year, adding to the 12,000 to 13,000 synthetic-turf fields that already exist in the U.S.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Is Artificial Grass Bad for the Environment

Here are some key statistics on the environmental impact of synthetic turf:

Maintenance and Disposal can be a real challenge with artificial grass.

Difficult disposal is a major issue, as a portion of the turf may not be recyclable in your area.

In most cases, artificial grass ends up in a landfill.

Junk disposal, particularly for large amounts of artificial grass, will increase the price to remove or replace it.

This can be a costly and frustrating experience, especially if you're not prepared.

Artificial turf is a significant contributor to plastic waste, with each field containing 40,000 pounds of plastic carpeting and 400,000 pounds of infill.

The problem is that synthetic turf doesn't stay on the field; it breaks down into smaller pieces, including microplastics, which are then carried away by the wind and contaminate the soil and water systems.

Barcelona, Spain found that artificial grass fibers accounted for 15% of plastic pieces larger than 5 mm within 1 kilometer from the shore.

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Synthetic turf only lasts about eight to ten years, after which it's replaced, adding to the ever-growing pile of plastic waste.

Here are some key statistics on the environmental impact of artificial turf:

Toxicity is a major concern when it comes to artificial turf. PFAS chemicals, also known as "forever chemicals", are used in the production of artificial turf and can leach into the environment.

These chemicals take a very long time to degrade, which means they can travel through the air and soil, potentially harming humans and wildlife. Surface temperatures of artificial turf on hot, sunny days can reach well above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making it even more likely for PFAS chemicals to volatilize and spread.

Some towns have banned new synthetic turf fields due to environmental and health concerns, and even the NFL Players Association has asked to only play on natural grass. Artificial turf can cause unnecessary injuries, especially non-contact injuries of the legs and abrasion burns.

To reduce exposure to turf-related toxic chemicals, follow these tips:

Artificial turf isn't a sustainable option for our environment. It's made up of 40,000 pounds of plastic carpeting and 400,000 pounds of infill, which can't be recycled.

The average synthetic turf field sheds around 3,500 pounds of infill and plastic each year, which are replaced yearly. This means a lot of toxic materials are ending up in our landfills or even worse, in our environment.

The plastic carpeting on artificial turf contains PFAS, a toxic chemical that's been linked to various health problems. And the infill, often made of rubber crumb, contains high levels of PAHs, mercury, and lead.

It's estimated that there are already 12,000 to 13,000 synthetic-turf fields in the US, with 1,200 to 1,500 new ones being installed each year. This is a staggering number, and it's clear that we need to reevaluate our reliance on artificial turf.

Broaden your view: Pet Infill for Artificial Grass

Here are some key statistics on the environmental impact of artificial turf:

The truth is, we don't know what to do with artificial turf once it's been used, which is a major problem. Most of it ends up in landfills, where it can leach toxic chemicals into the environment.