When it's too far gone, we say so — then we start over properly.
For lawns beyond recovery, or when you need immediate results. Saturated-steam preparation, an enriched soil foundation, then Manderley sod. An instant lawn that establishes because what it is sitting on was built to support it.
Four steps from write-off to new lawn.
- 01
Saturated steam preparation
Existing growth and weeds are cleared with saturated steam — an environmentally responsible reset with no herbicides, so the new lawn starts clean without chemicals left in the soil it will grow in.
- 02
Soil enrichment
An inch and a half of fresh topsoil to improve structure and nutrient retention. The new sod roots into an improved base, not into whatever failed the old lawn.
- 03
Manderley sod, laid on a prepared base
We install Manderley sod — the Ottawa-region grower with a track record going back to 1960. Their Less Water series is grown from drought-tolerant cultivars qualified by the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance. It goes down onto the enriched base with starter fertilizer to drive rapid root establishment.
- 04
Watering & establishment guidance
Clear instructions for the critical first weeks. Sod is more forgiving to water than seed, so Restart establishes reliably even without perfect watering.
If a smaller job will get you there, we'll recommend it.
Restart is our biggest lawn project — which is exactly why we agree the plan with you first, before anyone commits. If soil work and precision seeding can bring your lawn back for less, that is what we will recommend. When we do recommend Restart, it is because starting over is genuinely the better (and often cheaper) path to the lawn you want.
Common questions.
Is Restart right for my lawn?
It's for lawns beyond gradual recovery — or where you need immediate results: before a sale, an event, or simply because you're done waiting. If your lawn can be brought back with soil work and seeding, we'll recommend that instead; it's less money.
Why steam instead of digging everything out?
If your existing topsoil layer is still good, it is worth saving. Steam clears the growth without excavating and trucking away soil you already paid for. That is cheaper for you and far less wasteful. Where the soil genuinely needs replacing, the fresh topsoil layer handles it.
How long does the whole thing take?
Two working visits around a short rest: the steam preparation goes first, then the treated growth gets a few days to die back fully, then topsoil and sod go down. Rushing that middle wait just plants a new lawn over dying roots — so we don't.
How fast can I use the new lawn?
Sod gives an instant visual transformation, and it's ready for normal use once the roots knit into the base — typically a few weeks with proper watering. We give you the watering schedule and check-in guidance to get there.
Is this the same as hydroseeding?
No — Restart is steam preparation plus sod, best for small to medium lawns where immediate results matter. For very large areas where sod costs add up, a steam-and-seed approach can make more sense; we compare the two options with you before the work, and confirm the choice on site.
What does it cost?
Steam & Sod runs on the same real cost-up model as our other services — labour, equipment, and materials for your specific area. Paint your area in the Steam & Sod estimator for your own range in about 60 seconds. Because a full replacement depends on what is under the turf and how equipment and sod can reach the area, David sees the lawn in person and then confirms your exact price in writing before any work begins.