[Rathji]

If it is still brown now, but the rest of the lawn is greening up, then you will need to get your builder to replace the sod. I would guess that it might have been dead or dying when they put it in. - Edit: Post a pic if you want my opinion on this. It isn't uncommon especially at the end of the season like that.

If it isnt enough to bother with contacting the builder, (like < 1 sq yard) just go to Home Depot and buy a roll or 2 of sod. Even if they rip you off it shouldn't be more than $2-3 a peice - 1sq yard.

Then just cut around the old grass with a utility knife and it should pull right out since I doubt it rooted. Then cut a peice of the sod to fit the hole. I actually would do it backwards - ie cut the sod peice to a nice square shape of the right size and then cut around the patch on your lawn and take the whole chunk out. Remember that a small peice of sod as a patch probbaly wont survive, so make sure you are patching in 4-5 inch squares at minimum.


Chances are you will need to dig a little dirt out to get it level with the rest of your lawn. Make sure the edges are even especially because if the edge of the sod is above the existing grass it has a larger chance of drying out.

Then take a hose and soak it really good 2-3 times a day for a week and you should be fine.

edit: If you suspect it might be dog urine damage, then you need to treat the soil with something before you place the sod. (I am sure Google can hekp you out with this, as I dont recall specifically)