After the last few monsoons in Kerala, we have learned our lessons on floods and the effect they have on our daily lives. Natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes often come with little notice, and even if we are prepared and aware of the coming disaster, it can still have a lasting impact on our lives in the form of infrastructure destruction. In areas that are susceptible to floods, building and maintaining synthetic turf fields that can withstand major damages and knowing the possibilities of repair are important. In this article, we are going to discuss how natural disasters such as floods can affect synthetic turf fields and what we can do to restore them to their previous state.

What happens after flooding the synthetic turf fields?

Synthetic turf fields are built to withstand adverse climates, and with a proper drainage system, monsoons can be easily managed. But when it comes to heavy floods, they can sometimes overwhelm the drainage system and damage your artificial turf field considerably. So what can we expect when such a heavy flood hits your synthetic turf field?

Carpet and infill displacement: If the flooding water has enough force, it can exert enough pressure to displace the artificial turf carpets. Proper infill installation and drainage systems can withstand a lot of pressure, but when the floods are too powerful, they can create wrinkles or remove the carpet from some parts altogether. Infill can also scatter and float away during such floods, causing a total displacement of the synthetic turf field because infill is one of the main components that hold together the turf field.

Debris: Flood water can bring all sorts of debris and deposit them in your synthetic turf field. This can block the drainage system and create deposits of debris on your turf field.

Ground and structural damage: Flood water can exert a lot of pressure and shift the different layers of your synthetic turf field, completely displacing and damaging the structure of your turf field. The ground under the turf field can also be displaced, creating an overall unevenness. Properly installed synthetic turf with the right materials can withstand a lot of pressure, and the landscape should also be considered when building a strong turf field. But sometimes nature can be too strong and unpredictable and cause damage anyway.

How to manage a flooded synthetic turf field?

Natural grass playing fields take a long time to recover from floods, storms, and heavy rainfall. But when it comes to synthetic turf fields that are professionally installed, considering the geography of the landscape and with high-end materials, they can withstand most climate change issues and maintain their efficiency. The drainage system almost always succeeds in returning the field to its previous state after heavy rainfalls and storms. However, a heavy flood such as the one we discussed above can cause damage, but how do you manage this damage and restore your turf?

Displaced turf carpet, debris, and other visible damages might be easy to spot after a flood, but to carefully analyze and get a complete picture of the damage caused, you need the help of a professional. They have special tools and equipment to survey the whole turf area and find any hazards and damages. Even if your field looks okay after the flood, there could be hidden damages that can affect the playability and effectiveness of the turf in the future, so opt for a professional analysis to make sure your turf is not damaged even though it looks okay on the outside and prevent people from using it until you get assurance from the professional that the turf is safe to play on.

If you find your synthetic turf field damaged after the flood, get your documentation and insurance coverage in order to proceed with the maintenance. The design and other crucial details about the materials used to build the turf field in the first place should also be analyzed to get a clear idea of the proceedings of the maintenance process. Safety and playability are the most important qualities of a sports field, and the right installation process, materials, and continued maintenance ensure the longevity of a playable and safe turf field. The right installation process, considering the geography of the landscape, can even make the turf strong enough to sustain itself in extremely adverse climate conditions.

Conclusion

Surekha Exports is the best turf construction company in India, building the most efficient sports fields with professional expertise and FIFA Quality Pro-approved high-end materials. Synthetic turf installation and maintenance should be done carefully, considering all aspects of the sports played on that field along with the landscape, geography, and climate of the region. With almost two decades of experience and hundreds of successful projects across India in very different landscapes, we have mastered the art of creating safe and playable sports surfaces in all kinds of spaces. Connect with us to learn more about our products and advanced maintenance services.