Thanks for the tutorials and information. Much appreciated mate! Also there are sections of the garden by the fence where the concrete foundations extend outward at ground level, would you recommend covering this with an inch of sand or maybe some shock pads just for the concrete areas to provide a little extra cushioning for those areas? And is 4inch depth enough for the base for grass to be layed on? This will require about 9 inches reducing down to about 6inches. Any thoughts on this please? Sorry if its a silly question, im just trying to plan in the long term , Hi many thanks ! MOT Type1 2 inch Would it also have soaked up the urine? I have laid and whacked the mot and laid the grit sand and whacked that then screeded more grit sand. MOT type 1? Doesnt have any drainage problems, so would i be ok just removing the turf, packing it down, covering with weed membrane then going straight onto that with sharp sand? Regards, But then putting granite dust on top makes it impermeable again, Hi no not at all any non bonded , granule aggregate will drain , we simply take the air pockets out by compacting, but water still easily passes through as its dripped through the grass drainage holes , regards. Regards. Ive fixed one end of the sheet to the plastic board edging temporarily but I dont want to do something that might be wrong. If you leave it nice and clean at the bottom you wont have any issue when setting your timbers inside it. Unfortunately for you vegetable patches are generally well dug over, well fed soil and generally very deep. Which seems much stronger and says it can be used under patios, paths etc? Is the 2 days estimate based on the turf cutter or if it was done manually, without one? My honest opinion , dig it up and start again , a type 1 sub base on top of your membrane , topped off with granite dust . However you will always get a slight smell but this should be in warm summer months and not this time of year . I will now explain how we install a perfectly level artificial grass lawn that drains well and is free from weeds. Great site for a DIYer. Could you tell me if I should let him continue or what I should do next. regards. I never put on the top as its a real problem when dragging the grass in to position. This says to me you need to improve the base and replace the membrane before looking at ways to remove any slight smell. It seems there is only sharp sand underneath it, no aggregate. Also, should I put a timber perimeter against garage wall or can I bring grass directly up to the wall itself? Also the membrane will move and ruck up if it is on the top when you pull the grass into position. Regards Hi there, never use untreated timber as it will rot far quicker. My original idea was to use 3 x 2 as the fixing perimeter and then creating a photo frame around the lawn with either sleepers or wooden fence posts (i know its more cost but seen some pics and it looks nice), Hi the slope is purely down to choice , either run with it or maybe use a retainer like sleepers or simply go with a 42 depending on slope and how much you are trying to re-level. Firstly drill 15mm cores in the concrete base and fill with pea shingle . I always think a slightly damp sand spreads more evenly. We have purchased a 5.6m x 3.5m above ground swimming pool which will contain about 13.5 tones of water.. 3. Do you have much experience with laying artificial grass on a raised area? This will help it bind. If you have pets, getting their waste on your artificial grass is unavoidable. Hi either or works, we prefer timber with a gap to tuck into. I suggest once its raked out, to give it a light dampening with the hose just to keep the dust from annoying the neighbours and it will help it bind if its very dry. The skip is booked in advance and a suitable location for it is found. Will the water pass through the MOT or do you think I should lay some land drains? Thanks once again pal. Around the edge concrete in 2 x 2 timbers allowing for tucking space. Sorry cant help on the other. Hi the draw back is the grass will not always look its best and if you are spending a lot of money on the grass I would want it looking as good as possible. Also instead of timber pegs for securing the 32 i will be using galvanised timer fixing pegs, these ok to use? The membrane should always be on the bottom as it will trap the urine flowing into the aggregate base. Can I just ask, Im in the middle of excavating my garden, from our garden is enclosed by a brick wall, am I right in thinking I need to put my timber frame an easy niche or so inside the existing brick work and concrete into place? I have decorative angular stone down at present and thinking of leaving an inch underneath the type 1 to help with drainage. Hi we use granite dust 0-5mm . Grass 1.25 inch (32mm) Membrane Regards, No worries , before you start laying grass give it a quick rake over breaking the surface and then screed it with a bit of 4 x2 . If we do not eliminate the weeds at an early stage, weeds and real grass will eventually grow through the artificial grass. Thanks Gavin, really appreciate the advice, Ill give this a go. Is ok to have a few breaks and undulations to make the outting more interesting? Thanks for the amazing post and sharing your knowledge. Then when you get higher up , either go type 1 and granno or even consider using just 10 mm granite chips . Hi we set the timbers in concrete allowing for a small gap to tuck the grass. The turf was removed and revealed heavy clay we installed French drains to depth of 400mm deep 400mm wide across entire 17 metre width with two runs 2 metres apart lined with non woven fabric. Also going to lay the geotextile underneath the subbase due to the dogs, does this need to be woven or non woven type? One is thick and the other very thin. ), Hi , when we put in a row of sleepers we simply concrete our timber inside at the correct height once the sleepers have gone off. Forest Grass brand boasts of its durability, the grass is made up of non-toxic polyethylene which makes it great for kids and pets. So we have decided the best course of action is to fully clear the ground, smother the elder with good quality weed suppressant membrane, add sharp sand to a depth of 1.5ml by compacting and lay artificial grass on top so that the garden can be used until the elder eliminated and it can be safely turfed. Hi I then add concrete (a mix of ballast and cement) to the trench and set the timbers in it. Thanks! The granno needs to bind with the type one and by putting a plastic sheet between them , it will not only stop this, but it will become waterlogged and you will have problems with dipping and softness. Our lawn was previously covered in a mix of decking and a few inches of concrete. Its more expensive than the usual black ones that are available in most diy stores. No probs, grass underlay is an utter waste of money and really only be used if trying to sponge an uneven surface or shock padding around climbing frames. Brillant website and i am just about to install my own 8x4m site. regards, Hi Gavin. They then put my weed membrane on the very to, under the grass. How to Fit Artificial Grass Hi Tony, first of all before doing anything I would dig the soil out including sleeper widths until you hit harder substrate lower down. Do you think that would help the drainage? I have installed the grano dust and compacted it twice, however some areas are quite solid whereas other sections are not as solid and if i push my finger in it moves, also a couple of sections are dusty and lose. My question is what am I better to go with, the 50mm of type 1 or a base of granite chippings compacted down with the dust put over the top? We were using a 50-70 mm recycled stone last year , only 10 a tonne too! If i get one my budget only covers the kiln dried sand but again was worried it might smell after use from dogs? We are going to pull it up and re-do it.. Ive read from your post to put the membrane at the bottom.. we will get new as I imagine it will have soaked up all the urine.. but do we need to put aggregate down, and do you think we will need to replace the sand? They did have limestone dust though, which to you think would be the better option between limestone dust and sharp sand? regards. Sorry for asking you to elaborate about what must seem to you to be a pretty straight forward instruction. Prepare Granite Dust top again use compactor and lay in layers using a bit of water spray to reduce dust. thanks, Hi no more than 25 mm . Hi there, I will be very honest and say I have never come across the self sticking tape. Registration Number: 06688245, install something like a large sunken tank, https://www.diy.com/departments/tarmac-grano-6mm-dust-790kg/165422_BQ.prd, It is out of the way so doesnt ruck up when pulling the grass across it, It acts as a worm barrier to your base materials. Thanks for your advice, its greatly appreciated. Hi there , no worries. I am just waiting for the grass to come so I can install that over the sand however I am now worried that the grass might move with the sand. If I were to used crushed builders rubble as a first base would this be suited to an artificial turf thereafter. Hi Gavin, I found your website really useful and straight forward. Any tips for that process to get the haunch flat and level all the way around the garden? I personally believe the timbers stay good for as long as the lawn looks good which is 8-10 years, after this they will need renewing so will the lawn , then its a question of re-concreting in new ones and topping up the granite. Many thanks. They didnt have tamper machine for one section so used a board which they jumped on. If there is a drop away the other side fill the trench with mix so no base can escape. Hi there , ok firstly never add cement to your aggregates as you are effectively creating concrete and a non permeable base, which will hold the water. Essex Regards. if i used granite dust compacted to 25mm thick would that be hard enough to stop my garden furniture The area is bordered by blocks that are set in concrete slightly higher than the existing sub-base. Is the timber used just to nail into and create a box for the materials? Hi Gavin, can you use more than 1 inch of granite dust. I will take your advice with regards to everything you said thank you Sir! The sub-base layer has to be fully compacted to ensure a flat surface, if you don't have a plate compactor you can use a brick, lay it on top of the stones then hit it with a hammer. Hi put the timbers all the way round as it will stop the grass from pulling away from the side as the ground moves under the base and also prevent worms pushing the sides up. We cannot take some of the concrete up as it goes under the fence to the neighbors property. Why can I not just apply the weed killer to my existing lawn and then tightly mow grass fit weed membrane on top before using type 1, Hi you can if the area isnt soft and has no drainage issues , also its about the finished level requirements ie patio level. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. When the grass is flattened enough, you now have to secure it since you will be cutting out areas to make the pavers protrude. To speed up the process and to save my back I use a Mini Digger where room allows to bring in and spread the Type 1 aggregate. Hi the gap totally depends on which grass you are buying , so I would set the timber 25 mm below the lip and approx. Is this normal due to the amount of rain ? If you dug it all out, then got all the type one in and raked out, we always get it wacked straight away in case it rains. At the moment I have Gold corn or golden gravel chippings (I think) in my garden and want to lay artificial grass. This is almost impossible to eradicate without use of strong chemicals applied over a period of time and it would probably grow through the new turfs rendering them a waste of money. regards, Hi Gavin, I want to replace some decking with artificial grass. regards. I simply wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice data you have right here on this post. Lay your grass out, cut in joins, dont forget to go in 2-3 seam lines, do not stick until happy! The putting surface I am installing is 14mm in height. Its only to site a pool during the summer and a trampoline for the rest of the year and therefore wont be a used area as such. Please can you answer something for me which I cant get my head around. re-compacting/screeding again once dry? Am I right in thinking that as long as the chippings are angular, then they will compact down well enough with a plate compactor? Stonewise it will cost an absolute fortune to do it with decorative stone, yes it is angular and will grip but have a good look round. I will likely be coming back again to your blog soon. Regards. I have removed the gravel and there is already a well compacted sub base and also an old concrete base for a garage that used to be there. regards, Hi Hi one is fine , on the bottom below type one. It is more readily available in the area we live. My granite dust arrived today. Need to hire compactor, i have about 55 square meter area. I would go down the root of digging out more , spraying and reduce the weeds down as best as possible ..maybe digging out brambles etc. If my sub-frame is too low (requires more than 2 inches of type 1 and 1 inch of granite dust) to bring it level can I use decorative stones that I have got at the bottom and then compact the type 1 on top of that to save on having to order loads of type 1? Hi there , we use a tiler rotivator which scuffs the surface and quickly enables us to move soil from the higher areas to level. I have (unwisely with nothing but the dirt underneath) placed artificial turf directly outside my apartment for my 3 dogs to use a potty area. Also just down one side against a path I dont think I could put timber there because of a cement shamfer (hope thats the correct term) Can I top up on this with cement to make a flat surface then glue the grass to the flat surface? regards, Hi Gavin. If your surface is cement, you can just secure the grass while cutting around the pavers with your body weight. regards, Hi, fantastic article thank you. Give it a light sprinkling with a hose if baking hot before you Wacka. Now, this next step is a crucial step appearance-wise. If granite dust has been whacked and then screeded level, is it then a good idea to soak it all to bind it together or should it be wetted down and whacked again ? You will know when you have reached your substrate as the ground will be firm when you stand on it. Hi Mark , good question . My question is, do you think Im making a huge mistake by not doing it with the sub-base?