Bad sod installation. Man, those are three sad words.
Getting new sod is supposed to be exciting. A new lawn! Instantly!
But as magical as it sounds, sod installation isn’t magic. It’s a skill. It’s hard work. It has to be done just right.
If you or your sod installer messed up, you might end up with poorly installed sod.
Here are some signs of bad sod installation:
1. Your Sod Isn’t Taking Root
Ideally, your new sod should start taking root in five to 15 days in the summer, and 20 to 30 days in the winter.
If not, a couple things could be wrong:
Poor Quality Sod
New sod is only as good as the sod farm that grew and harvested it and the supplier who delivered it to you.
They remove not just the grass, but also a few inches of the attached soil and roots so it can make a healthy transition to your yard.
The sod farms we work with don’t harvest the sod until they have an order. That way, little time has passed between harvest and when it goes into your yard.
We pick up fresh-cut sod from the sod farm and bring it directly to your property.
But that’s not always the case with other suppliers.
Some sod installers might store the sod overnight, or over the weekend, and water it to keep the top pieces green. When temperatures heat up the grass will become hot and diseased.
If your sod isn’t taking root, it might be because those fragile roots are damaged.
Make sure you know exactly how your sod was cared for before it landed in your yard.
The Soil Wasn’t Properly Prepared
If you or your sod installer took a short cut and installed the sod over existing grass, that’s likely why your sod isn’t taking root.
Your new sod needs to establish its roots in the soil, to take advantage of the water and nutrients there.
Leaving a layer of grass underneath your new sod prevents it from taking root and increases the chance that the new lawn will die from lack of nutrients and moisture.
Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system. Ignoring this important step is bad sod installation.
2. Your Lawn is Lumpy and Uneven
It’s tempting to overlap the pieces of sod during installation, to make sure there aren’t any gaps between slabs. But you’ll end up with an uneven, lumpy lawn. That’s bad sod installation.
The seams should be lined up just right, with no overlap and no space in between.
It’s also important to level out any imperfections in your lawn before sod installation, to avoid low areas or humps that could trip you.
Some corrective grading before your sod delivery goes a long way to avoiding bad sod installation.
3. Your Sod Seems Dried Out
Sounds like somebody waited too long to install the cut sod.
Technically, cut sod will last about 36 hours in the summer in Orlando and about 72 hours in the winter.
But the sooner your fresh sod goes from the farm to your soil, the better, so it doesn’t dry out. The same day is best.
4. Your Sod Isn’t Thriving
If you choose the wrong type of sod for your Central Florida yard’s conditions, your new lawn won’t thrive.
All sod isn’t the same. There are several varieties.
Is your property sunny or shady? Does it get a lot of foot traffic? Do you have an irrigation system?
Matching the right sod to your sire’s conditions is a crucial first step to sod installation success. A good sod installer will walk you through your best choices.
How to Fix Bad Sod Installation
The solution to bad sod installation depends on the problem.
If your sod is just too dry, you may be able to revive it with proper watering. Lumpy sod might be able to be reinstalled correctly.
But if you have a serious problem due to bad sod installation that has actually killed the lawn, you’ll likely need to start over.
Proper Sod Installation is So Important
Each step in sod installation is important, from choosing the type of grass to expertly preparing the site to properly laying down the sod.
The best way to avoid bad sod installation mistakes is to hire an experienced professional.
Central Florida sod installation company crews do this work every day. We’re as proficient at this as you are at your job.
This is hard work. It involves skill, precision, muscles, and professional equipment.
Avoid Bad Sod Installation with Ground Source
Poorly installed sod is a big waste of time and money. Plus it’s a big bummer.
Get it done right the first time.
We’re sod experts, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your Central Florida lawn from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.
