SERVICES: RESPONDING TO SPORTS FIELDS NEEDS AFTER DISASTER

When it comes to droughts, synthetic surface systems are immune to the impacts that a lack of water will have on the use of the field of play. Because the systems are drought-resistant, they are often sought out in areas where water scarcity is a persistent issue.

On the other hand, flood waters are kryptonite to synthetic grass. When it comes to flood-affected synthetic surfaces, there are several things that need to be considered:

• Extent of damage
• Age and condition of the surface product
• Condition of the underlying base pavement

Assessing the extent of the damage determines whether the synthetic surface can be readily remediated or if more major replacement works are required. If a synthetic grass system is exposed to floodwaters, it is likely to become contaminated and displaced either due to the force of the floodwaters or because the overall system becomes buoyant and floats. Depending on the extent of the inundation and displacement, the synthetic grass may be able to be locally rolled back and reused. Typically, shorter pile systems have a greater chance of reuse than longer pile systems.

In the case of a rubber surface and an acrylic system that is directly adhered to the underlying pavement, the extent of remediation works may be limited to cleaning the surface and localised repair work.

An older and less well-maintained system generally has less resilience to withstand impact. In the case of synthetic grass, an older system will likely stretch more than a new system, making it difficult to put back into place after it is displaced. An acrylic surface with large cracks and gouges will readily allow water beneath the system, potentially leading to delamination.

The condition of the underlying pavement will also dictate the extent of remediation works. If the damage from flood inundation is limited to the overlying synthetic grass system, then the remediation works will likely be limited to the affected system. However, if flood waters have undermined the pavement, then this may lead to a full reconstruction of the pavement and possibly remediation works to the underlying subgrade material.

Assessment is key to determining the remediation works of any flood-affected synthetic grass system. Understanding how the system has been impacted and how it can be reinstated requires knowledge from specialists who know not only the system, but also the underlying pavement and associated infrastructure.