Problems with laying turf over existing turf

You may be wondering how to lay sod over your existing lawn, and it’s easy to see the appeal. After all, why go through the trouble of tearing down the old turf when you can put in the new turf? However, there are some serious problems with this method.

Here we review what these issues are and give you some helpful tips for laying your lawn the right way.

Do not touch the roots
This may not be the answer you want to hear, but if you want good results, ask “can I put sod over the existing lawn?” Always no. One of the most important reasons not to lay sod over existing sod is that when you place sod over existing sod, the roots of the sod will not touch the soil below. This means that the grass will have a hard time taking root and may eventually start to die. To avoid this problem, the roots of the grass should be in contact with the soil. Remove old sod before sowing. This will successfully launch the new zone.

Dead grass

Another problem with putting sod over existing sod is that it greatly increases the chances of the grass dying. If the grass cannot reach the soil, it cannot get enough water to survive. Old grass is a particular problem when there is a thick layer of thatch. Thatch prevents new grass from getting the nutrients it needs to survive. To avoid this problem, the turf must be in direct contact with the soil below.

Drainage problem

Unlike conventional lawns, new lawns have different drainage requirements. If you plant your lawn without pre-preparing the soil, the new lawn will compete with the old lawn for water. This can lead to drainage problems and eventually kill your new lawn. To avoid this problem, make sure the soil is well prepared before laying the new sod. This means removing any obstructions to drainage, such as stones or roots.

Uneven appearance

The last major problem with laying sod over existing sod is that it can be uneven in shape. The reason for this is that when new turf is placed on top of old turf, the difference in height becomes noticeable. If the new grass survives, it will most likely result in a bumpy surface that will be
difficult to walk on, let alone mow. To avoid unsightly high or low spots, prepare the soil by removing existing sod, then place the sod level as possible to the ground. The result is a green, flat lawn that looks good and is safer for regular use.

Best time to lay the lawn

The good news when it comes to laying your lawn is that you have some flexibility. You can start laying your lawn when the weather is warm ideally spring, summer, and in some areas, fall. The key to ensuring your lawn takes root and grows into a healthy lawn is to make sure the lawn you use has been recently cut within the last 24 hours. I have some flexibility when it comes to timing,but I don’t want to waste time laying freshly cut grass. Once the lawn is planted, it must be watered within 30 minutes. Water the lawn abundantly to ensure that the soil underneath is sufficiently wet. This will allow the roots to grow and give you a good start.

Professional turf installation with Buffalo NY USA

With so many possibilities to go wrong, it’s easy to see why laying sod over existing sod isn’t a good idea. Instead, it’s best to remove the old lawn and give the new lawn the best chance to grow green and healthy. Of course, removing the old sod and laying the new sod can seem like a daunting task, so you might want professional turf installation from Buffalo NY USA!

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   Todd Wilhelm 
 2024-10-01
 
 
  Had sod installed at my house in Amherst. Job done very quickly and well. Highly recommended. Will be using them again for spring 2025 project.
  
 
       
   Md Mia 
 2024-09-27
 
 
  RDK Tree Service removed a large maple by the power lines. It was definitely not a easy job. They did the job safely and did it rather quickly. I will definitely recommend them for your tree services.
  
 
       
   Bike Lover 
 2024-09-27
 
 
  Residing in Buffalo NY, and needed to remove a large tree in the backyard and front yard. The crew did a fantastic job with removing it along with the stump. We are so impressed. Thank you RDK!
  
 
       
   selvachandran saravanan 
 2024-09-25
 
 
  Did a job here in my rental property in Amherst of removing two 60-70ft pine trees with stump removal and prepped an area for parking. RDK Landscaping is the one you should go to with your tree and landscaping/hardscaping needs. They are just the best overall!!
  
 
       
   jackary Rootis 
 2024-09-24
 
 
  I highly recommend them. Great crew, Super easy to work with. They’re doing a great job out here in East Amherst. Not only did I use them, but my neighbor and their son did as well and we couldn’t be happier.
  
 
       
   DIANE Abram: Toot-Toot Daycare 
 2024-09-21
 
 
  I hope these pictures speak for itself. I had called couple of companies to my property in Northampton, Buffalo, but only RDK Landscaping had come out so quick to give a quote for a project we started and couldn’t finish. They were so quick, efficient and had completed the project in about 2 days. They did a beautiful job, and answered all my questions throughout the entire process. I am so very thrilled about the results and could not recommend more! They are doing wonderful projects.
  
 
       
   Dan Duggan 
 2024-09-19
 
 
  RDK Landscaping did an amazing job!  We had 8 dead ash trees at our property in Clarence that needed to be taken down given their proximity to the house and garage, in addition to two trees close to the power lines.  I was very impressed with how quickly Roy and his team responded, came out to the property and got the job done.  I would highly recommend them!
  
 
       
   Andres Martinez 
 2024-09-14
 
 
  Everybody at RDK Landscaping was a pleasure to deal with, we had a big project with them to clear up some really overgrown gardens beds around our garage, they went above and beyond making our space useable again. Once the project was complete they made sure to clean everything up and even cleared some weeds we had on our driveway that we hadn’t even mention to them. Can’t recommend them enough and will be calling them first for any future landscaping projects.
  
 
       
   Esther Guess 
 2024-09-12
 
 
  The guys were quick and effective at getting all that ivy down. Great work!