How to bond artificial grass in wet weather: by the experts
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Achieve Superior Bonding in Any Weather with Our Expert Tips for Wet Conditions.
Looking for the ideal adhesive to bond artificial grass in wet weather? Look no further! Our knowledgeable experts have got you covered. They'll share their valuable insights and suggest the best adhesives tailored specifically for bonding synthetic turf in rainy conditions. As the company behind Europe's leading artificial grass brand, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to wet weather bonding.
In this guide, we will give you five simple steps (and some more helpful tips and tricks) for bonding artificial grass and synthetic turf in wet conditions, along with recommending the best product for your needs.
Right then, let's get to it.
(Quick Overview):
- Choose the right adhesive.
- Remove as much excess water as possible.
- Ensure your adhesive has been stored at the recommended temperature before use - usually around 10-20 degrees.
- Apply pressure to the bond line or join straight away.
- Continue to apply pressure to the bond line or join for the full duration of the cure time.
1. Choose the right adhesive.
This might sound simple, but it's an important one. Adhesives predominantly react with either moisture, oxygen or a combination of the two to start the curing process. We'll go through which adhesive type is best to use in the next section.
Don't get caught up in any false promises or clever 'Wet Fix' or 'Aquabond' names. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
2. Remove as much excess water as possible.
This might sound simple again, but it's a common mistake. Surface water is basically acting as a barrier between your adhesive and the artificial grass, so it's important we remove as much excess water as possible to reduce this impenetrable wall of H2O and make life easier for our adhesive. You may want to shake or brush the grass before bonding and dry the seaming tape (or other substrate) with a towel before applying your adhesive.
Never attempt to bond the adhesive in a full puddle of water!
3. Ensure your adhesive has been stored at the recommended temperature before use - usually around 10-20 degrees.
An adhesive from any reputable supplier should come with a data sheet that will state the 'Storage Temperature'. This will not only effect the shelf life of your adhesive, but also the curing speed and final bond strength too. We recommend keeping your adhesive inside the day before your project, as any form of quick heating will likely only warm up the packaging on the outside and not effect the actual adhesive temperature. It could also cause damage to your adhesive if heated too quickly.
4. Apply pressure to the bond line or join straight away.
For wet weather bonding, this is pretty much the best advice we could give. Remember how we mentioned that impenetrable water barrier on step 2? Well adding pressure is going to significantly help your adhesive to penetrate through that water barrier and hold firm to your artificial grass and seaming tape.
5. Continue to apply pressure to the bond line or join for the full duration of the cure time.
Our experts would always recommend that pressure is applied to the join or bond line for the full duration of the cure. If you haven't followed step 4 completely perfectly, or if your adhesive starts to come away from your grass or seaming tape during the curing process, the water will get straight into those gaps and start causing problems. You could use a few planks of wood, sand bags, or some spare rolls of grass - whatever you can find that will keep that pressure constant.
Which adhesive should I choose?
Product: | T10 Multi-Purpose Grass Adhesive |
Advantages: | Easy to use. Bonds to all common substrates. Good flexibility. Excellent for small areas or repair work. |
How to use: | Use with the Turfgrip High Thrust 300ml Applicator or other 300ml adhesive applicator gun. |
Comments: | T10 is a great all round product for bonding to multiple substrates and edgings, even in damp conditions. T10 is an MS Polymer adhesive which are renowned for their ability to bond in tough conditions. As with all adhesives, T10 will not bond in extremely wet conditions, so care must be taken to ensure the surfaces are as dry as possible for bonding. |
Product: | T50 Two Component Wet Weather Adhesive |
Advantages: | High strength polyurethane formulation containing moisture absorbing chemicals to help prevent bond failures. Exceeds FIFA standards. Super powerful final bond strength and excellent adhesion to most substrates. |
How to use: | Mix the two parts together and spread across the surface to be bonded with a Turfgrip hand trowel or Hand Glue Box. Can be used as a full coverage bond or simply for joins and edgings. |
Comments: | T50 is a super powerful product used for multiple sports applications and exceeding FIFA requirements. It has an excellent final bond strength and is proven as an industry leader for wet weather bonding. As with all adhesives, T50 will not bond in extremely wet conditions, so care must be taken to ensure the surfaces are as dry as possible for bonding. |
Product: | T80 High Strength Concrete Adhesive |
Advantages: | High strength polyurethane formulation containing moisture absorbing chemicals to help prevent bond failures. Formulated specifically for bonding artificial grass to concrete. Super powerful final bond strength and excellent adhesion to most substrates. |
How to use: | Mix the two parts together and spread across the surface to be bonded with a Turfgrip hand trowel or Hand Glue Box. Can be used as a full coverage bond or simply for joins and edgings. |
Comments: | T80 is a super powerful product used for applications where artificial grass needs to be bonded directly to concrete surfaces. It has an excellent final bond strength and great flexibility. As with all adhesives, T80 will not bond in extremely wet conditions, so care must be taken to ensure the surfaces are as dry as possible for bonding. |
Got a question that needs answering?
If you have a question about an upcoming project or specific application, feel free to give us a call anytime on 0121 280 5856 or email us at hello@tiga-tech.com and we will be very happy to help you.