How does the change of infill materials affect your maintenance?

The golden rule for synthetic surface maintenance is “one hour of brushing for every 10 hours of play”. But are you aware of the impact that changes to infill materials will have on the frequency and type of maintenance required? The understanding of the health and environmental issues associated with 3G pitches, in particular micro-plastics and polymeric infill, is driving the industry towards a different specification of surface. While the vast majority of carpets we see are still currently using conventional SBR rubber, the UK is in a transitional phase where new installations will be specified with a natural infill alternative by 2032. In addition to lower pile height, a combination of sand and natural infill such as cork and pine is expected to become the industry standard.

Due to their more mobile nature, and increased susceptibility to bacterial and airborne contamination, fields with this natural infill will need more attention than conventional SBR pitches. In practical terms this means that cleaning systems, which would once be considered a more specialist tool, will become a weekly usage item. For facilities relying on external maintenance contractors, this will inevitably present a dilemma. Significantly increase the frequency of site visits – rocketing costs and seeing the surface out of action more frequently while the work is conducted – or run the risk of sub-par performance and health hazards?

The solution may be to, instead, invest in extra maintenance equipment to satisfy the need for more frequent maintenance which should alleviate many of the issues listed above from occurring in the first place. Equipment to suit all specifications of surface are available from Redexim, including the Speed-Clean land-driven sweeper. The paddle brush system of the Speed-Clean effectively lifts infill, where detritus is separated via an oscillating sieve and collected in bins on the rear of the unit. The cleaned infill is then returned to the surface, restoring a carpets permeability and playability. In addition, a magnetic bar can be affixed to the rear of the unit for the removal of debris such as jewellery or paper clips.

The Verti-Top™ is another complete cleaning system, recently crowned ‘Product of the Year’ at the 2024 SAPCA awards. Available with three-point linkage or in a dedicated tow-behind format that utilises a 6.5hp engine, the versatility of the Verti-Top™ makes it ideal for the fast and effective removal of contaminants and smaller particulates.

With the changing regulations around infills and current estimates for a 3G pitch in the region of £300k, now is a good time to consider the necessary steps to protect both people and your investment for the future.

Tel: 01428 661222 [www.redexim.com](http://www.redexim.com/)