Problems with Grass Mats - And Solutions!
Grass mats are a fantastic solution and an excellent surfacing choice for many customers. However grass mats aren’t for everyone, and if you choose a low-quality product, you may find there can be problems with grass mats.
In our opinion, there are five key problems with grass mats;
1. Sinking
Low-quality grass mats can sink in poor ground conditions. This causes puddling in wet weather and is a major trip hazard if left without repair.
SmartPlay underlay mats can prevent these sinking issues. The extra rubber layer spreads out pressure more evenly to limit subsidence and sinking. Additionally, proper drainage with appropriate sub-base installation makes a huge difference to the formation of puddles.
2. Mats Coming Apart
If the grass mats are installed poorly or incorrectly, they are likely to come apart over time. They may even separate from regular use.
The mats in the picture have received poor installation and could cause trip hazards due to the gaps. Without proper recessing, pegging, and tying, heavy use can cause mats to separate. Therefore, PlaySmart’s installation team follows a patented installation guideline to prevent this issue.
3. Ripped or Damaged by Vandalism
Lower quality grass mats are lighter and therefore may rip apart more easily. This makes damage more likely, either by accident, or on purpose through vandalism.
Sometimes, fire can be an issue in areas particularly prone to vandalism. If this is an issue for your playground, FireSmart mats are the ideal choice as top self-extinguishing mats.
4. Bulked out with Padding
One problem we’ve noticed with cheaper grass mats is that they are often bulked out with padding or potentially sharp metal fibres. Some manufacturers reduce the weight of their mats by making the honeycomb structure thinner and increasing the length of the nipple. This makes for a weaker, less durable mat.
5. Maintenance
Grass mats have to be lifted periodically to be shaken to remove loose soil and any unwanted seeds. Cheaper mats will need to be lifted and shaken more often than higher-quality ones.
EcoSmart mats are expertly fitted and work with your natural grass surfaces. Therefore, in the right conditions, grass is able to grow through the honeycomb structure of the mats to disguise the black rubber and blend in with a natural play area,
Solutions to Problems with Grass Mats
Now, we don’t want you to think it’s all doom and gloom. There are solutions to all of the aforementioned problems, which we’ll go into detail now.
1. First up; to prevent mats from sinking
If the ground is particularly poor, we recommend the installation of our SmartPlay shock pad. This layer of foam is installed underneath the mats, helping them retain their position and preventing them from sinking.
2. Prevent problems with grass mats coming apart
The main thing we recommend is to use a trusted, experienced installer that knows what they’re doing. Here at PlaySmart, we have over 15 years experience and train our contractors to exacting standards. Plus, to top it all off, we offer a 5 year Installation Guarantee on our EcoSmart and FireSmart Installations!
3. Limit Vandalism
You can’t always avoid vandalism in high-risk areas, we recommend a heavy-duty grass mat. Our grass mats weigh 13.5kg as standard, and we offer a fire-retardant option too for playgrounds with timber equipment.
4. Invest in Thicket Mats
Our grass mats feature a thick outer edge for extra strength and durability. The mats also have a thick honeycomb structure and smaller nipple, meaning more rubber, and less chance of damage to the matting.
5. Extra Layers of Protection
Finally, grass mats with our SmartPlay shock pad don’t need lifting or shaking due to the reduction in variations in the ground. SmartPlay has a range of other benefits, including enhanced fall height protection, reduced maintenance and prevention of mats sinking into the ground. And what’s more, is that if your grass matting does need replacing due to damage or vandalisation, it is a lot easier to replace mats that have been installed as part of the SmartPlay System.
We hope you now better understand the problems with grass mats, and how they can be solved or prevented. If you have any questions or are interested in our EcoSmart grass mats or SmartPlay shock pad system, feel free to get in touch. Our office number is 01564 742811 or you can email info@playsmartuk.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help!
