How to Repair Seams, Tears & High-Traffic Flattening on Artificial Grass
Practical DIY fixes for common turf damage
Artificial turf is tough, but pets, parties and playground antics can leave it looking rough around the edges.
Luckily, most issues—gapping seams, small tears, or matted “traffic lanes”—are fixable with basic tools and a free afternoon.
Gear you’ll need
| Tool / Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Turf seam tape (double-sided butyl or single-sided + glue) | Re-bonding open seams |
| Outdoor turf adhesive (polyurethane) | Permanent waterproof bond |
| Replacement scrap of matching turf | Patching tears |
| Carpet/utility knife + extra blades | Clean, straight cuts |
| ¼″ × 4″ galvanized spiral nails or turf staples | Mechanical hold-down |
| Chalk line or straight edge | Aligning patch pieces |
| Stiff‐bristle power broom or push broom | Reviving flattened blades |
| 50–100 lb lawn roller (rent) | Re-set infill after repairs |
| Kiln-dried silica sand or infill top-off | Replenish lost infill |
Fixing a separated seam
Good to know: Most residential installs use 4 ft or 15 ft rolls; seams appear every time two rolls meet. Heat, foot-traffic, or poor glue can cause gaps.
- Expose the seam
Vacuum or brush away infill for 2–3″ on both sides of the gap. - Clean & dry
Wipe off dust; turf backing must be dry for glue to bite. - Insert seam tape
Slide 6″-wide tape under both edges—adhesive side up if using double-sided. Center the tape so each turf edge sits on half. - Apply adhesive (single-sided tape)
Trowel a ⅛″ bead of PU glue onto tape. - Join the edges
Press fibers upward, butt the backings snug—no overlap, no gap. - Weight it down
Lay a 2 × 6 board with cinder blocks or walk a lawn roller along the seam. 15 min for grab, 24 h for full cure. - Re-infill & brush
Return sand/rubber infill, broom against grain to hide the line.
Patching a tear or burn mark
| Tear size | Recommended fix |
|---|---|
| ≤ 2″ slit | Seam-tape from underside + PU glue (no patch) |
| 2–8″ | Butterfly “suture” patch from scrap |
| > 8″ or odd shape | Full cut-out replacement panel |
Butterfly patch (2–8″ tear)
- Square the wound
Cut a clean rectangle around the damaged zone with a sharp knife. - Cut patch
From leftover turf, cut a piece ½″ larger on all sides, matching blade direction (look at the grain!). - Insert tape
Slip single-sided seam tape under the hole, glue side up. - Adhesive
Spread PU glue on tape where the patch will sit. - Place patch
Align grain, press edges tight to surrounding turf. - Weight & cure
Board + blocks for 24 h. Trim stray fibers once dry.
Tip: Salvage scrap from the original install; sun-fade makes new turf slightly brighter.
Reviving high-traffic flattening (“mohawk” paths)
Flattening happens when infill migrates and blades bend.
Goal: Re-loft fibers and re-level infill.
- Deep brush
Use a power broom (best) or stiff push broom. Work against the grain in overlapping passes. - Top-off infill
Broadcast ½–1 lb / sq ft of kiln-dried sand while brushing so it drops to backing. - Roll & settle
Lightly mist turf, then run a 50–100 lb turf roller to seat infill. - Spot heat (optional)
For stubborn polypropylene yarns, a quick pass with a heat gun (12 in away, keep moving) relaxes fibers—brush immediately.
Prevent-it-next-time checklist
| Problem | Prevention tip |
|---|---|
| Seam lift | Use UV-stable PU glue + weight seam 24 h; add staples every 6″ along edges. |
| Tears by pets | Install concrete/metal edging; keep chew toys off turf. |
| Traffic lanes | Quarterly power-broom + infill top-up; rotate heavy furniture. |
| Heat-softened glue | Choose adhesives rated ≥ 140 °F service temp (essential in Phoenix). |
FAQ
Can I use landscape fabric tape as seam tape?
No—fabric tapes aren’t coated for moisture and will rot.
Is Gorilla Glue OK?
It foams when wet and loses bond strength outdoors. Use a dedicated polyurethane turf adhesive.
How long will a patch last?
With the right glue and infill depth, expect 5–8 years—often the remaining life of the lawn.
When to call a pro
- Tears across multiple seams or spanning > 10 sq ft
- Seam gaps wider than ¼″ with stretched backing
- Drainage issues underneath causing wrinkles or bubbles
Professional crews have seaming irons, industrial hot-melt tape and moisture-curing adhesives that outperform retail kits.
Final word
Most artificial-grass wounds look worse than they are—armed with tape, glue and good prep, you can make seams disappear and fibers stand tall again. Need a matching scrap roll or a power-broom rental? RM Artificial Grass Phoenix has you covered. Happy fixing! 🛠️🌿