[return to the red]

It really depends on the age and look you are going for.

Over time thatch builds up and lawns become compacted, the whole idea with aeration is to loosen the soil and provide air, water and nutrients to the roots of the grass. Some people are completely anal about their lawns and insist they get it done at least once every year, others don't do it it all. If you find that you have a healthy, lush lawn than you may be able to postpone aeration but if you notice that your lawn (ground) has become hard in areas, water doesn't infiltrate or is starting to brown no matter how much you water, it may be time to run an aerator over it.

In regard to top dressing, residentially it has become a new practice but has been around for decades in the golf industry. Top dressing provides add microbes, nutrients and amends the existing soil to maintain a healthy looking lawn. I've never actually seen it done on a residential lawn but if it's for a good price why not, it won't hurt anything besides slowly building up your base level (years to do).

I'm not a lawn expert but I'm in the water side of it so I may be incorrect in some aspects but everything I've been told and taught said pretty much the same thing.

Hope this helps