Thatch is a layer, just below the grass line, that is composed of grass stems, roots, clippings and debris that settles and eventually decomposes or accumulates over time. Many things can contribute to a thatch build up problem such as a lawn that has been left to grow tall or a lawn that has never been aerated. Dethatching is the process that takes excessive thatch build-up and breaks it down. Having some thatch in your lawn is a good thing but too much can be extremely detrimental. Dethatching can either be done manually or with a power dethatcher. Extreme caution must be used if you have never operated a power dethatcher before. Power dethatchers usually have numerous vertically aligned blades that can cut to the surface of, or even slightly into the soil. Each blade on the power dethatcher needs to be calibrated to the specific height for each type of grass. After the lawn has been completely dethatched Kiefer Landscaping goes over it with a leaf rake to get rid of all the collected thatch. Once the process is over take a look at your lawn, since Dethatching isn’t always a pretty sight, it may be recommended to over seed and water your lawn to give it that green luster back.