Seeing gaps, fraying, or uneven lawn edges between sections of your backyard artificial turf can be frustrating. They can also be trip hazards, especially for high-traffic areas like playground artificial grass spaces.

But don’t worry – you can fix this yourself without removing and replacing whole sections. This guide will walk you through why visible seams happen and how to properly patch them.

What Causes Noticeable Seams in the First Place?

From soil shifts to using wrong adhesives, below are a few reasons behind visible seams appearing on backyard turf:

• Soil or Base Layer Movement: If the dirt, gravel, or other base materials under your turf weren’t compacted enough before installing, they can settle lower unevenly. One section then ends up higher than the next, showing the seam.

• Poor Seam Bonding: Seaming tape and liquid glue adhere and seal abutting artificial grass pieces. If that bond fails, gaps appear between them. That’s why it’s important to use high-quality adhesive designed specifically for artificial grass, and to use enough between pieces.

• Settling Artificial Turf: The weight of the artificial grass material itself can cause it to compress and move differently than the ground underneath over time. These subtle shifts then become visible gaps or overlapping.

• Fraying Backing: Artificial blades are woven into a porous fabric backing layer. When top fibers fray or backing tears get larger from sun and shoes, you can end up seeing through to the seam below.
• Misalignment: Even being slightly off lining up turf sections during the first install makes for obvious seams later once everything shifts down into place. This is actually one of the most common mistakes that DIY installers make.

How to Fix Visible Seams on Artificial Grass

Those seams are certainly an eyesore, but they’re actually quite easy to fix. First, gather your tools:

• Seam tape (4-6″ wide) specifically made for artificial grass
• Artificial turf glue
• Utility knife to trim tape
• Push broom to sweep away debris
• Weighted plank or lawn roller

Once you’ve got those ready, follow the steps below. They work for any type of installation, from artificial grass for residential yards to putting greens:

• Prep the Problem Area

  Thoroughly sweep away any dirt, rocks or particles so the tape can stick flush. Check that lawn edges line up evenly – shift sections minimally if need be. Cut away stray fibers or fabric. Ensure the area is totally dry first.

• Apply Seam Tape & Glue

  Run a zig-zag bead of turf glue along both sides of the seam, closer to edges. Unroll tape centered fully over seam, pressing firmly as you go. Cut tape longer than the seam for overlap. Stagger tape segments instead of one long strip.

• Smooth & Seal

  Use a lawn roller or weighted board to slowly flatten the newly taped seam area. Apply firm pressure especially at the edges for complete adhesive contact. Let dry 30-60 mins.

• Inspect Results & Trim

  Give the tape glue plenty of time to fully cure before walking on it, usually 24 hours. Then inspect – use a utility knife to trim off any visible excess seam tape edges.

It may take a few passes and spot touch-ups, so take your time with this method.

Need More Help? Contact Us!

We hope these tips help! But don’t get discouraged if some installation issues still stump you– even the pros encounter these things sometimes.

If need help with your installation, whether that’s about the process, products, or anything else, contact us anytime. Call us at 408-413-3915 or send us a message and we’ll get back to you shortly.

We also offer top-performing seaming tape, liquid sealants, and other artificial grass products and supplies at our Bay Area showroom – or browse our products online and have them delivered. We look forward to serving you!