Life with turf.

Heat

University of Florida researchers measured artificial turf at about 174°F on the hottest days, against about 102°F for natural grass. In full summer sun at midday it can be uncomfortable for bare feet. Shade, placement and product choice help, a quick hose rinse cools it fast, and cooling infills help only while they're damp.

Pets and smell

Pet odor usually lives under the turf, not on it: urine that can't drain sits in the infill, backing or base, and heat speeds up the bacteria that turn it into ammonia. Sprays only treat the surface. A pet yard needs a backing that drains, an odor-active infill layer and a free-draining base, plus regular rinsing where the dogs go.

Care

Do	Don't
Let rain clean it, and rinse in dry spells	Use bleach or harsh caustic or acidic cleaners
Brush against the grain, weekly in busy areas	Use metal rakes or wire brushes
Top up infill when the brush test feels thin	Let cigarettes, fireworks or grills near it
Pick up pet waste promptly	Ignore window glare. Reflected sun can melt fibers

When something goes wrong

Ripples and wrinkles usually mean loose edges or a weak base. Dips and washouts are base failures. Open seams come from glue that was rushed or applied to wet backing. A melted stripe near windows comes from reflected sunlight and is excluded from manufacturer warranties, so the reflection has to be fixed before the patch. Most of these are repairable without replacing the whole yard.

How long it lasts

A well-built install is built to last the life of the turf, about 10 to 15 years. The warranty on the product is a separate thing: Turf carries the manufacturer's warranty for the product you choose (8, 16 or 25 years depending on the product), covering UV stability and strength; installation is covered by AJ Turf's 1-year labor warranty. You'll see the exact warranty for your product before you sign.