No matter how great a turf system you may have installed, there comes a time in the life of every field when it has to be replaced.
The fibers become tired, the surface becomes worn and replacement becomes a matter of urgency due to player safety and quality of play. Don’t wait too long, begin planning for your field replacement now with the AstroAdvantage Field Replacement Program. Let our industry experts evaluate your field, your needs, and your budget and help save you time and money during this important process.
Our 4 step Field Replacement Process
1. Base Analysis
Before the field is replaced, we highly recommend that your existing base be evaluated for drainage issues, weak or vulnerable spots, settling, and any other problems that could compromise your field. Like renovating a house, surprises can be revealed when you look under the surface. We can carefully pull back portions of the turf for inspection. That way you can accurately budget up front for any remediations needed, and there are no surprises after work has begun.
2. Field Removal
Once you’ve done your research on the newest technologies in field system design and selected your new playing surface, the real work begins. We will remove and dispose of your old field. Having done the inspection and base analysis up front, we will have a better idea of any base remediation or fine grading required and can undertake that work once your old field has been removed.
3. Field Replacement
With the old field removed and the base planarity and drainage ensured, AstroTurf crews can begin the process of installing your new field with the latest techniques. Over the last several years, AstroTurf has pioneered installation methods that will prolong the life of your new field and reduce the risk of injury. If you’ve opted for a shock-absorbing pad, that will go down first. Turf panels will then be unrolled (sometimes with prefabricated inlays), seams welded, inlays installed, and finally, the field will be infilled and groomed. Then you can hit the turf running!
4. Field Maintenance
Even the bet fields require upkeep. With AstroTurf’s comprehensive Rhino maintenance plans your field will receive the best care in the industry to help prolong its life and keep your new field game-ready for years to come. Packages are customizable to best suit your facility’s needs.
IS IT TIME TO REPLACE YOUR FIELD?
Frequently Asked Questions
The average age of a field is about eight years but it really depends on many factors such as use, maintenance, climate, and most importantly who built the field originally.
First, call an AstroTurf representative and get it inspected. We will walk the field with you and give you a visual inspection. As we evaluate your field we will look for loose fibers, infill levels, planarity, and condition of the edge detail. Our experienced salespeople and dealers will give you an expert evaluation to determine when you should replace your turf. The ultimate tool for determining the age of your field is a test for shock attenuation. In other words, how well does the field still protect your athletes? In this day of concern with the long-term effects of head and neck impacts and concussions, this is the key piece of information.
The best way is to get a shock attenuation test is to call an independent field tester. They have the proper equipment to test under the ASTM 355 protocols and will give you the GMAX rating for the field. GMAX has been the industry standard for shock attenuation for over 40 years. A well-maintained natural grass field is 90-100G’s. New turf fields are usually 100-125G’s, and the Synthetic Turf Council (STC) has a top line threshold of 165G’s. Anything above that level, needs to remediated or replaced. Don’t guess… get the test!
$750 – $1000 for an independent test. It takes about 90 minutes and now you are armed with the most important piece of information determining the life expectancy of your field.