Grass sod installation is a popular choice for people looking to establish a new lawn. It can also bring new life to an old lawn that has seen its better days. At Ultimate Construction, we’re highly trained and experienced in all aspects of sod delivery, sod replacement, and preparing lots for new grass. Here’s a quick look at how we handle such jobs:
1. We’ll start out by evaluating the site for the best type of grass for its conditions. For example, areas that receive strong sunlight all day do well with Bermuda or similar varieties. On the other hand, shady areas require different types of grass, such as St. Augustine. The most important thing is to choose a variety that can thrive during the south Texas summers, and we’re well acquainted with the types well suited to our hot, arid climate.
2. Next, we’ll check the site for low spots or other issues that might cause drainage problems. Sometimes, these types of problems can be solved by grading the land to encourage runoff. Other times, it might be necessary to install an underground drainage system or even a dry creek bed. We’ll let you know what your options are before we proceed.
3. Grading is an essential part of establishing a new lawn. Water must flow away from your home and any other buildings on your property. We’ll establish a gentle but consistent grade that will ensure you’ll never worry about having a flooded foundation or similar issues.
4. Soil preparation comes next. The ground must be reasonably loose to allow rainwater to soak into it and nourish the roots of the grass sod installation. If your site has hard, compacted dirt, then we will break it up to a depth of several inches, creating a perfect bed for your new lawn to take root in.
5. We may or may not need to add fertilizer or other amendments to the soil. A simple test will reveal the pH level of your land. It should be between 6.0 and 7.0. If it’s not, then we may add limestone to make it less acidic. We can do a chemical evaluation of your land and determine what, if anything, needs to be done for it to support a lush, healthy lawn.
6. In some cases, we may need to add topsoil to your lot. We rarely do so, however, unless the ground is in exceptionally poor condition.
7. Right before we install the sod, we’ll ensure that your land has been finely graded, thoroughly raked, and cleared of any humps or depressions that could cause problems later. The end result will be soil that is perfectly suited to the introduction of sod.
8. When the time to install the sod has come, we’ll only use pieces that are at least one inch thick, freshly cut, and healthy. If possible, we will keep it in a shady spot while it’s being put in place. We’ll complete this part of the job with all due haste, as sod should be installed within 36 hours after it is cut.
9. As a final step, we’ll either roll or tamp your new lawn lightly. This will ensure good contact with the supporting soil. It will also remove any air pockets that might prevent the grass from taking root.
Once all of this is done, we encourage customers to water their new lawn. It should be watered thoroughly, to make sure the water reaches the proper depth. The idea is to keep the soil moist without letting it getting soggy. It should be ready for its first mowing within 4-7 days after it’s put in place.
If grass sod installation is what you need, then give us a call. As we mentioned before, we have the training and tools needed to do the job right the first time. So put our more than 20 years of experience to work for you by contacting us today.