Repair Bare Spots and Damaged Turf

A. Finished Project Specification

Deliverable: one repaired turf area matching the surrounding lawn in species and grade, with the diagnosed cause corrected, matching seed or sod installed at the approved rate or fit, the repair protected during establishment, and a documented diagnosis, repair, and follow-up record.

B. Repair Record Section Schedule

Section	Required Content	Source Steps
Damage Record	Location, size, pattern, season, irrigation, traffic, pets, shade, soil, pests, and chemical exposure	Step 1
Cause Inspection	Findings on compaction, drainage, drought, overwatering, disease, insects, salt, fuel, fertilizer burn, shade, and mower injury	Step 2
Stop-Work Review	Any condition referred to a required specialist before continuing	Step 3
Cause Correction	The action taken to correct the verified cause	Step 4
Soil Preparation	Dead turf and thatch removal, compaction loosening, added topsoil or compost, and matched grade	Steps 5–8
Material Selection	Matching seed or sod species selected for the repair	Step 9
Repair Application	Seed applied at the approved rate or sod patch cut, fitted, and pressed for soil contact	Steps 10–15
Watering and Protection	Initial watering, traffic and mowing protection, and establishment watering schedule	Steps 15–17
Recovery Inspection	Germination, rooting, color, settlement, and recurrence findings	Step 18
Follow-Up and Documentation	Refill or reseed decisions after cause review, and final documentation	Steps 19–20

C. Record and Reference Takeoff

• Diagnosis inputs: the Chapter 1 readiness plan for the property, prior watering and mowing records where available, and any known irrigation, pest, or chemical history for the area.
• Repair materials: matching seed or sod, approved topsoil or compost, and starter material only where specified.
• Forms: one turf-repair diagnosis record covering damage, cause, correction, repair, protection, and recovery.
• Photographic record: photographs of the damage before repair, during cause correction, immediately after repair, and at the follow-up inspection.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Cause correction	The verified cause is corrected, or referred and confirmed resolved, before any seed or sod is applied
Soil preparation	Dead turf and thatch are removed, compaction is loosened, and final grade matches surrounding turf without a raised or sunken patch
Material match	Seed or sod species matches the surrounding established turf whenever a matching source is available
Application rate or fit	Seed is applied at the labeled rate for the repair area; sod patches are cut cleanly and fitted tightly without overlap or gaps
Soil contact	Seed is raked lightly into the surface or sod is pressed to achieve full root-to-soil contact, verified by lifting a representative edge
Protection	The repair area is protected from traffic, pets, mowing, and erosion for the full establishment period
Recovery and recurrence	Germination or rooting is confirmed, color and density match surrounding turf, and no recurrence appears at the same location during follow-up

E. Diagnosis and Cause Correction

1. Record the damage location, size, pattern, season, irrigation, traffic, pets, shade, soil, pests, and chemical exposure. Enter each observation on the turf-repair diagnosis record before forming a conclusion.
2. Inspect for compaction, drainage, drought, overwatering, disease, insects, salt, fuel, fertilizer burn, shade, and mower injury. Use the soil probe or trowel to check moisture and compaction at the damage area and at an adjacent healthy reference point.
3. Stop work for unresolved disease, major pest infestation, chemical contamination, or drainage failure requiring specialist help. Refer the condition to the required qualified professional and record the referral before continuing.
4. Correct the verified cause. Adjust irrigation, redirect traffic, correct a mowing practice, treat a confirmed pest or disease condition within label directions, or refer the condition as required before proceeding to repair.

F. Soil Preparation and Repair Application

1. Remove dead turf and loose thatch. Use the hard rake or dethatching rake to clear the damage area down to soil.
2. Loosen compacted surface soil. Work the soil probe, hand tool, or approved method across the damage area without disturbing adjacent healthy turf roots.
3. Add approved topsoil or compost only as required. Use only the material and quantity specified for the repair; do not add material beyond what is needed to match grade.
4. Match final grade to surrounding turf. Rake the repair area level with the adjacent established lawn, avoiding a raised or sunken patch.
5. Select matching seed or sod. Compare species, color, and texture against the surrounding established turf before purchasing or selecting repair material.
6. For seed repair, apply at the approved rate. Use the rate specified on the seed label for the measured repair area.
7. Rake lightly and press into contact. Rake seed lightly into the surface and press or roll lightly to establish soil contact without burying seed beyond the permitted depth.
8. For sod repair, cut a clean repair shape. Use the sod knife or edging tool to cut a defined shape that will accept a matching sod patch.
9. Prepare the soil and fit the sod patch tightly. Set the patch flush with surrounding turf height, with edges tight and without overlap or gaps.
10. Roll or press the repair. Achieve full root-to-soil contact across the entire repaired area.

G. Watering, Protection, and Follow-Up

1. Water without causing runoff. Apply water slowly and thoroughly, checking that the repair area absorbs water without pooling or washing seed.
2. Protect from traffic, pets, mowing, and erosion. Install protective fencing, stakes, or flags around the repair area for the full establishment period.
3. Maintain the establishment watering schedule. Follow the frequency and depth appropriate to seed or sod establishment and confirmed local watering restrictions.
4. Inspect germination, rooting, color, settlement, and recurrence. Check the repair area at scheduled intervals through the establishment period.
5. Refill or reseed failed spots only after cause review. If any portion of the repair fails, repeat the diagnosis in Section E for that portion before reapplying seed or sod.
6. Document diagnosis, repair, and follow-up. Complete the turf-repair diagnosis record with the final recovery result and the date protection was removed.