With increased exposure comes greater scrutiny of the quality of these facilities, with doubters waiting in the wings ready to pour scorn on the suitability of synthetic turf for anything beyond a kick-about in the park


these carpet systems that enables them to replicate natural sports surfaces. Playing characteristics, such as ball roll and bounce, stud slide and shock absorption, are generally considered to be improved by the carpet’s longer fibres (around 40- 50mm) and cushioning rubber infill. Logic dictates that these features must, therefore, be preserved to allow the pitch to continue offering the same high standard of play to end users. This can be achieved with regular decompactions to agitate the surface and remove contamination, simultaneously lifting the carpet fibres and loosening the rubber particles, which become flattened and compacted during play. Keeping the pile upright not only protects the carpet fibres from wear, it also preserves the playing characteristics and restores the aesthetic qualities of the pitch. Loosening the rubber infill, meanwhile, helps to improve drainage and control the feel of the surface underfoot, whilst allowing for infill levels to be regulated at repeated intervals. The ultimate aim of regular maintenance must be to preserve the playing characteristics and life


expectancy of an artificial pitch and, to achieve this on a 3G pitch, regular decompaction works are essential. However, decompaction is, by no means, the only maintenance process required to keep a 3G pitch in top condition. Regular maintenance encourages familiarity with the way a pitch reacts to factors such as player footfall and natural weathering. Rubber infill is removed from a 3G surface on a daily basis, and frequent monitoring can help to ensure that rubber levels and distribution are assessed and corrected before infill displacement is able to weaken the carpet fibres, increase the rate at which the carpet wears, compromise the playing characteristics and shorten the life expectancy of the surface. As a minimum requirement, rubber levels must be topped up every one to two years. As with any artificial surface, combining daily and weekly in-house routines with specialist, deep-cleaning works is the key to a successful maintenance programme. Dragbrushing should be carried out, at least once a week, to maintain a consistent


distribution of rubber infill and raise the carpet pile. Compaction of the infill can also be reduced on a regular basis with suitable equipment. There are various types of machinery available to carry out this function, which can be used as a stand alone item or attached to existing machinery. We can offer advice on a selection of such equipment should pitch owners and managers wish to purchase items to build upon their existing maintenance practices.


Alongside these everyday surface-based tasks, it is important to regularly remove the accrued dirt, debris and contamination that can bed in amongst the infill. Dragbrushing alone does not achieve this, so it is important that the pitch is swept, using a rotary brush with filtration systems, which lifts and clean the top layer of rubber infill before returning it to the carpet. This service should, ideally, be carried out on a monthly basis to complement the in- house dragbrushing of the surface. Furthermore, to ensure comprehensive decompaction and dirt removal, a more intense cleaning of the surface should be


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