Recycled Concrete & Synthetic Turf

TRANSCRIPT

“Hello, everyone, I hope you are doing great.

I want to thank you for following my work.

Today… I am going to speak about recycled concrete. Finding a good aggregate for compaction can be confusing to new contractors in the synthetic turf business. Rock plants produce many aggregates for all types of construction. When seeking out a good compaction aggregate for synthetic turf, it is important to understand how that aggregate plays a role in your entire installation.

Many synthetic turf contractors have used all types of base material underneath their synthetic turf. Placing base materials that have great compaction qualities is needed for the prevention of settlement after years of use. Decades ago, most turf contractors used road base or Type II for their compaction materials.

Today, rock plants have a variety of materials that can be used under turf that will produce successful results.

3/8 Minus, De-Composed granite, and limestone Chat aggregates are most used across the nation due to their capability to reach great compaction numbers while leaving a smooth surface. It is crucial to understand good compaction comes with materials that are clean and free of contamination.

Recycled Concrete has become a favorite for many turf contractors due to its availability, its price, and ability to compact.

Recycled Concrete may be a good choice for some turf installations… but not good for some others. I will touch more on this here shortly.

 

WHAT IS CRUSHED RECYCLED CONCRETE?

Concrete is not biodegradable and will not decompose.

Crushed Recycled Concrete is made up of broken debris usually made of concrete. Crushed Asphalt may also be known as recycled concrete.

When concrete is demolished from roads, parking lots, and other structures, it is usually dumped in landfills. Recycling crushed concrete reduces landfills and becomes a resource for base materials for synthetic turf contractors.

Crushed Recycled Concrete is great for placing under landscape synthetic turf. It compacts well, provides great drainage, and gives long-term stability.

Rock plants have started crushing and recycling concrete by setting up crushers to sell to the construction Industry.

 

CRUSH RECYCLED CONCRETE & PET AREAS

Crushed Recycled Concrete may be a good candidate as base material under landscape synthetic turf, but will it perform under pet installations?

Hmmm….  I “DO NOT” recommend placing recycled crushed concrete under pet installations.

Crushed Recycled Concrete is not made of aggregates(rock) alone.

It is a combination of Rock, Sand, Cement, and sometimes Fly Ash.

When concrete is broken up and recycled, fine sand, cement, and other particles remain intact and bonded to the aggregate which becomes cured concrete. These bonded materials can be very absorbing.

Have you ever experienced spilling oil on a concrete driveway which was impossible to remove?

Poured-in-place concrete can be very absorbing, and when concrete is broken up into smaller pieces, these particles can and will absorb pet urine. Dog urine is a concoction of ammonia, bacteria, hormones, and uric acid. As the urine breaks down, the ammonia concentration increases and then mercaptans (extreme odors) are produced. This is the same chemical compound that gives skunk spray its long-lasting funk.

When crushed recycled concrete is contaminated with pet feces and urine, a disinfectant with enzymes must be used to combat the uric acid in the pet urine… which may cause odors.

 

RECYCLED CONCRETE RESIDUE

Recycled Concrete has cementitious particles that may discolor existing decorative-colored concrete. The residue that is left behind from Importing and grading may be very hard to clean off surfaces. The residue can also be stubborn to remove off turf fibers as well so please be aware of this.

Thank you for your time today… Until next time?… JW OUT!