Fixing Sod the Right Way in New Construction Yards (South Louisiana Edition)
Bought a new home, but your sod looks like it’s losing a battle with gravity? Yeah, we see it all the time. Builders throw down sod to make things “look done,” but the result is often a lumpy, soggy, or dead lawn just weeks after move-in.
At Cultivate, we specialize in fixing poorly installed sod in brand-new homes across South Louisiana — from Covington and Mandeville to Slidell and Madisonville. We don’t just patch the problem — we rebuild the foundation so your lawn actually lasts.
Common Signs of Poor Sod Installation
If your new lawn has any of these issues, it’s not your fault — it’s the install:
-Mushy or spongy turf
-Yellowing or dying patches
-Sod seams lifting or shrinking
-Water pooling in low areas
-Grass that never rooted into the soil
-Sod laid on top of clay, debris, or ungraded fill dirt
Most of the time, these issues come down to one thing: bad prep before sod installation.
The Real Problem: Sloppy Builder Installs
In new construction, sod is often:
-Rolled out on top of unleveled or compacted fill
-Installed over poor or clay-heavy soil
-Not graded to drain water properly
-Thrown down quickly with no aftercare guidance
Basically, it’s a green band-aid slapped on a broken base.
How Cultivate Fixes a Poor Sod Job
We don’t just replace sod — we correct the reasons it failed in the first place.
1. Evaluate the Sod & Soil Condition
First, we assess:
-How deep the roots have established (if at all)
-Soil type and compaction
-Drainage direction and slope
-Whether the sod is salvageable
If it’s holding water, yellowing, or floating — it likely needs to be lifted and replaced.
2. Remove Dead or Poorly Installed Sod
We carefully strip out:
-Damaged, rotten, or failing sod
-Clay or builder-grade soil if it's too compacted
-Rocks, debris, or roots beneath the surface
Then we reset the base with fresh topsoil for healthy root development.
3. Correct Grading (if Needed)
Many new sod jobs fail because the yard wasn’t graded first. If needed, we:
-Regrade to slope away from your home and toward drainage points
-Fill low spots where water pools
-Add French drains or catch basins if the problem is persistent
4. Install Sod the Right Way
We install fresh, healthy sod, matched to your yard's sun/shade and soil conditions. Our process includes:
-Tight, seamless sod installation
-Staggered seams to prevent shifting
-Full sod rolling for firm contact
-Post-install watering guidance (we don’t ghost you)
You’ll know exactly how to care for your new lawn, from watering to mowing.
Why Replacing Bad Sod Early Matters
Fixing your lawn now:
-Prevents disease, rot, and runoff issues
-Saves you from re-sodding every year
-Protects your home’s foundation and drainage
-Gives your home the curb appeal it deserves
Proudly Serving the Northshore
We work with homeowners in:
Covington
Mandeville
Slidell
Abita Springs
Madisonville
Hammond …and beyond!
Ready to Replace That Sad Sod?
If your lawn is holding water, turning yellow, or just looks like it’s slowly giving up, let Cultivate bring it back to life — the right way.
Fill out a service form or call 985-999-0309 for a free estimate!
Local. Licensed. Insured. Family-Owned.
Specializing in New Construction Lawn Rescue!
