Understanding lawn bubbles: Causes and solutions for a healthy lawn

Lawn bubbles can occur for several reasons. Often, water becomes trapped between the plastic sheeting placed beneath the lawn turf, which landscapers may use when the soil quality is poor. Typically, these bubbles form under the grass, and the buildup of pressure causes the lawn to bulge upward, resulting in bubbles. To eliminate them, it’s essential to understand the underlying causes and how to address the issue.

What causes lawn bubbles?

Excess water causes lawn bubbles. They usually form when water gets trapped between your grass and the ground. Lawn bubbles detract from the visual appeal of your lawns and can harm the health of the lawn. The more common causes of lawn bubbles are:

Excess rain

A heavy downpour can lead to lawn bubbles due to an overwhelming amount of moisture. When the rain falls excessively and suddenly, it exceeds the rate at which the water can drain from your lawn. As a result, this can either waterlog your lawn or create bubbles in the grass.

Extended drought

Prolonged droughts tend to encourage soil compaction. When the rains come, or when you over-water your lawn, the water will have a hard time seeping through the soil. When this happens, water is more likely to collect under the grass, eventually causing a lawn bubble.

Having plastic layers under your lawn

Sometimes homeowners will use plastic layers under their lawns to help with weed growth. A plastic layer under your lawn can be a contributing factor to causing lawn bubbles. The plastic layer will limit the ability of the ground to absorb moisture. With this compromised moisture absorption, the moisture will eventually bulk up, resulting in lawn bubbles.

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How to get rid of lawn bubbles

There are simple ways on how you can get rid of lawn bubbles without fully damaging your entire lawn. Since lawn bubbles can harm your lawns, sorting them out immediately is key. You can rid lawn bubbles in the following ways.