Frequently Asked Questions

Lake Mat
MuckMat
SandMat
Boatlift Mat
DockMat
Others
Do you still have doubts and questions to answer?
Lake Mat
Do I have to move a LakeMat?
 
No, but it’s a good idea for a few reasons. 

First, once you move it you’ll reveal a clean, clear, natural lake bottom with no weeds. It’s much nicer (and more interesting) to look at a real lake bottom rather than a Mat.

Second, you’ll get rid of a lot more weeds over the summer. If you leave a Large LakeMat in one place, it covers close to 32 square meters. If you move it once a month you’ll have about 120 square meters of weed-free area by August.

Third, moving it through the water washes much of the sediment off that’s landed on it. If enough sediment builds up over time, it creates a base for weeds to start growing on top.

How often should I move LakeMat?
On average, you should move it once a month throughout the growing season. It takes about four weeks for submerged weeds (that grow underwater) to die and decay completely. There are many factors, like: the types of weeds, time of year, the amount of sunlight, water depth, water clarity, dissolved oxygen levels in the water, even water temperature. But on average, once a month.
Other lake weed mats cost less, why is LakeMat better?

Several reasons. Our fabric — frames — design — and our guarantee!

LakeMat’s fabric 

Our exclusive, gas-permeable fabric allows gases like methane to pass through. Other mats are made of materials that trap gases; they tend to float. LakeMat fabric is made specifically for underwater use. Others use various types of plastic sheeting.

LakeMat’s frame 

Our frame is smooth, aluminized steel enclosed in the Mat fabric. Others have you buy rebar to insert. Rebar is rusty, has sharp ends, it’s soft, bends easily and rebar splinters are a bummer. Some want you to pour sand in their mats; they send you a funnel.  

LakeMat’s design

Our patented system assembles in 5 minutes. The frame holds LakeMat square, taunt and firmly on lake bottoms and allows you to move it easily.

LakeMat’s 10-Year, 100% Guarantee

Our superior materials and patented design make LakeMat the finest lake weed control mat, by a country mile. They’re built to last.

LakeMat is the finest weed control mat, not the cheapest

Which would you rather have: the best or the cheapest? We choose to be the highest quality. Others choose to be cheaper. 

What is a LakeMat?
LakeMats are large mats that rest on your lake bottom that eliminate all your lake weeds exactly where you want. Made of tough, non-woven geo-textile fabric on a rugged aluminum-coated, steel frame, they come in three sizes:

Small (4 x 4m), Medium (4 x 6m), Large (4 x 8m)

Do I have to move a LakeMat?
 
No, but it’s a good idea for a few reasons. 

First, once you move it you’ll reveal a clean, clear, natural lake bottom with no weeds. It’s much nicer (and more interesting) to look at a real lake bottom rather than a Mat.

Second, you’ll get rid of a lot more weeds over the summer. If you leave a Large LakeMat in one place, it covers close to 32 square meters. If you move it once a month you’ll have about 120 square meters of weed-free area by August.

Third, moving it through the water washes much of the sediment off that’s landed on it. If enough sediment builds up over time, it creates a base for weeds to start growing on top.

How often should I move LakeMat?
On average, you should move it once a month throughout the growing season. It takes about four weeks for submerged weeds (that grow underwater) to die and decay completely. There are many factors, like: the types of weeds, time of year, the amount of sunlight, water depth, water clarity, dissolved oxygen levels in the water, even water temperature. But on average, once a month.
Other lake weed mats cost less, why is LakeMat better?

Several reasons. Our fabric — frames — design — and our guarantee!

LakeMat’s fabric 

Our exclusive, gas-permeable fabric allows gases like methane to pass through. Other mats are made of materials that trap gases; they tend to float. LakeMat fabric is made specifically for underwater use. Others use various types of plastic sheeting.

LakeMat’s frame 

Our frame is smooth, aluminized steel enclosed in the Mat fabric. Others have you buy rebar to insert. Rebar is rusty, has sharp ends, it’s soft, bends easily and rebar splinters are a bummer. Some want you to pour sand in their mats; they send you a funnel.  

LakeMat’s design

Our patented system assembles in 5 minutes. The frame holds LakeMat square, taunt and firmly on lake bottoms and allows you to move it easily.

LakeMat’s 10-Year, 100% Guarantee

Our superior materials and patented design make LakeMat the finest lake weed control mat, by a country mile. They’re built to last.

LakeMat is the finest weed control mat, not the cheapest

Which would you rather have: the best or the cheapest? We choose to be the highest quality. Others choose to be cheaper. 

What is a LakeMat?
LakeMats are large mats that rest on your lake bottom that eliminate all your lake weeds exactly where you want. Made of tough, non-woven geo-textile fabric on a rugged aluminum-coated, steel frame, they come in three sizes:

Small (4 x 4m), Medium (4 x 6m), Large (4 x 8m)

Can I put sand on a MuckMat?
 
Yes, MuckMats are made to hold sand. Five to seven centimeters of sand is all you need to have a natural looking, natural feeling lake bottom.

You can use pea stone gravel instead of sand. This makes an attractive bedding area for fish. Fish loved pea stone - but your bare feet may not.

What about MuckMat?
The MuckMat is unique. There’s nothing else like it, so there’s nothing to compare it to. If you want an instant firm, weed-free lake bottom, MuckMat is your solution. Promise.
What is a MuckMat?
 

MuckMats are large mats that rest on your lake bottom, creating on instant, firm, weed-free area to walk on without sinking in muck. Made of tough, geo-textile fabric, reinforced with geo-grid on a rugged steel frame, they come in three sizes:

Small (4 x 4m), Medium (4 x 6m), Large (4 x 8m)

Do I need to kill the grass and weeds before using a SandMat?
 
No, just lay out a SandMat, stake it in place (stakes provided) and put down your sand. Sunlight will be blocked and the weight of the sand will crush the growth beneath it.
How much sand should I use?
 
For MuckMats: 5 to 7 centimeters of sand should be plenty, but some people use more.  One yard equals one inch on a Large MuckMat.

For SandMat & Muck SandMats on shore: 10 to 20 centimeters

What are Muck SandMats?
 
Muck SandMats are for firming up spongy soil on shorelines or yards that are always wet. They are SandMats with reinforcing geogrid beneath. Cover with sand, or fill dirt and topsoil to plant grass. 
What are SandMats for?
 

SandMat are a base for making sandy beaches on shore. They can go into very shallow water near shore. SandMats provide a base to hold sand, inhibit erosion, suppress weed growth, and provide excellent separation between your sand and the soil below it.

SandMats are 4m wide and come in lengths from 4  to 20 meters.

They are made to have sand, gravel or soil placed on them.

What kind of sand should I use?

Any “washed” sand is what you want. Unwashed sand has clay and other impurities. We suggest “mortar sand.” Mortar is used by masons to lay brick and block. It’s essentially the same as “beach sand,” but you’ll usually pay less if you ask for mortar sand.

What is a Boatlift Mat?

Boatlift Mats are large mats that rest on your lake bottom, creating an instant, firm base to prevent boat lifts from sinking in muck. Made of the strongest geo-textile fabric on Earth, on a heavy-duty steel frame, they come in five sizes:


Pontoon Mat (4 x 8m)
XL Boatlift Mat (4 x 6m)
Large Boatlift Mat (4 x 4m)
Jetski Lift Mat (3 x 4m)
Extreme Boatlift Mat (2 x 4m) 

What size Boatlift Mat do I need?

It depends on:

  1. The weight of your boat 

  2. The distance between the footplates on your lift, front to back

  3. How much weed-free area you’d like around your lift. 

Boats up to 2,700 kgs, you can use any size (except a Jetski Mat). The Large size will hold your lift, but you can go bigger if you want more weed-free area around it.

If the distance between your footplates (front to back) is more than 4 meters, use the XL, Pontoon, or Extreme sizes.

For PWC lifts, use either the Jetski Lift Mat, or a Medium Boatlift Mat. For double PWC lifts, use the Medium Boatlift Mat. 

Extreme Boatlift Mats are for boats over 2,700 kgs or if a lift must set on a steep decline — half a meter or more, front to back. The Extreme comes with two sections. One is placed under the front footplates, the other is placed beneath your rear footplates. 

What is a DockMat?

DockMats work the same as Boatlift Mats. They provide a solid surface for roll-in or standard docks. They create a firmer surface to install and remove docks. During the summer, they support docks and provide a weed-free area under your dock. The standard DockMat is 2 x 4m for docks up to 1.7 meter wide. The Large DockMat is 3 x 4 m for wider sections.

About all our Goodbye to Muck Mats

All our framed Mats are made to control lake weeds. 

All (except LakeMat) are made to support weight on mucky bottoms. LakeMat are for weeds only. 

They’re large mats that rest on your lake bottom, creating instant, firm, weed-free areas. They’re made of tough, geo-textile fabric on rugged aluminized-steel frames.

For unframed mats, see SandMats and Muck SandMats

All our Mats effectively control 100% of your lake weeds in exactly the area you want, safely, with no toxic chemicals, cutting or raking. 

Are they in stock and how long does it take for delivery?

Yes, they’re always in stock. Mats ship —Free— via DHL and typically take three days within the EU.

Are they safe for my lake?

Goodbye to Muck Mats are the safest, greenest, completely environmentally friendly, chemical-free way to control your lake weeds. They don’t harm fish, frogs or other aquatic creatures. Even the benthic microorganisms you can’t see aren’t harmed, our breathable fabric allows them to keep your lake clean.


And our Mats work much better than aquatic herbicides!

Can my Mat be left in all year?
 
Yes. Ice and won’t hurt them. They won’t float away over the winter. Just leave them in at least 45 cm of water. Goodbye to Muck Mats have been setting in lakes since 2009. They’re all fine, yours will be too.

You can take them out if you need to. 

Can the Mats be used in rivers?

Yes, all types of Goodbye to Muck Mats are used in rivers throughout North America. In strong currents we suggest tying a line your Mat, just in case. Since 2009, we haven’t lost one yet. 

Can’t I just use muck pellets?

Muck pellets are bacteria that eat dead weeds, fish poop and other organic material. Your muck is 1/4 to 1/3 organic material — the rest is small soil particles — commonly called “dirt.” What eats dirt? Nothing, that’s why it’s called dirt. Bacteria don’t eat dirt.

If your muck is one meter deep and the muck pellets digest all the organic material (it takes a few years) — you’ll still have 600 cm of muck left. During summer, a cubic foot of water holds one-trillion of these bacteria. Why add more?

Do they need a permit?
 
The common sense rule of thumb is, if it’s “seasonal,” like a swim raft, you don’t need a permit because it’s only temporary. If it’s “permanent,” like a seawall, you do a permit. Boatlift Mats, for example, are seasonal support for boat lifts, they can go in and out with your lift — they’re seasonal.

Statutes vary by state or province, even by county and sometimes by lake. But typically, “seasonal” temporary use is permitted. 

Do you offer discounts for ordering multiple Mats?

Yes. We also have discounts for groups and lake associations.


Email, Call or WhatsApp 

admin@goodbyetomuck.com

Connor +34 674 152 312
Eric +34 659 375 680

How do I clean my Mat?

For the LakeMat, the easiest way is to move it through the water. Or, you can use a push broom or a squeegee to sweep it off right in the lake. MuckMats are usually left in a place where you want to walk. Many owners put sand on them so they usually don’t need cleaning. Sweeping off a MuckMat is the simplest way to clean it. But anything that moves water, like underwater pumps, or even a garden hose (with enough pressure) will blow the sediment off.


How do they kill lake weeds?

Goodbye to Muck Mats use the simple principle of preventing sunlight from reaching aquatic weeds. All plants need sunlight in order to conduct photosynthesis. Without sunlight, your weeds can’t grow.

How long does it take to kill lake weeds?
 
Most submergent weeds (those that grow underwater) will be dead within two weeks. Their remains should be decayed in around four weeks.

Floating weeds, such as lily pads, have much more structure. They’ll die within three weeks and should be mostly decayed around eight weeks.

How long will they last?

Underwater, the materials are projected to last 200 years, but all can be responsible recycled when you are done with your mats or moving.

We ask all our customers to adhere to their local regulations when recycling our products.

I have a rocky bottom, what Mat can I use?
 
The MuckMat's geogrid and fabric ride atop rocky, gravel bottoms. Adding sand on top gives even more protection. 
What holds them down?

The steel frames hold all Goodbye to Muck Mats firmly on your lake bottom. For example: a Large MuckMat weighs 28 kgs, much heavier than a cell phone. But if you drop your phone in the lake, it will sink — as my nephew, Tim, found out the hard way.

The short answer is: gravity. 

What is a Lily Hammer Mat?
 
The Lily Hammer is made to kill floating weeds, like lilies, plus any submergent weeds. They can even be used to control emergent weeds, such as cattails. The super-tough material
What is the guarantee?

Our 10-year guarantee covers all parts and workmanship.


What’s the difference between MuckMat and LakeMat?

Both eliminate lake weeds. The difference is — a MuckMat holds you up on mucky lakebeds. LakeMats won’t hold you up very well, they’re meant to kill weeds on fairly firm lakebeds, or for areas where you don’t intend to walk but want to be weed-free.


Will the weeds come back?

The area where you’ve placed-and-moved a LakeMat will remain weed-free for the rest of the season. One study determined areas treated with benthic barriers remain 95% weed-free through the rest of the year.

Will these Mats prevent algae?
 

Goodbye to Muck Mats can only kill the algae you set your Mat on. Surface algae can float above a Mat after it’s installed. Or there’s a type of alga called “chara” (it looks like a weed) can settle on a Mat. It’s not really rooted, it just sets on top of your Mat.

For floating and submerged algae we suggest copper sulfate, a non-herbicide remedy. Romans used it in their public baths to keep algae from growing. Farmers use it to prevent algae in ponds that livestock from.

You can get it at local feed stores or buy it online. (We don’t sell it).

Will they work in brackish or salty water and will they last?
Yes, they work just as well as in freshwater. Salty water has very little effect on the geotextile fabrics. It does shorten the lifespan of the aluminized-steel frame, but will maintain its integrity for at least 10 years. 
Will zebra mussels get on them?

The pesky things look for structure, like your dock, your boat or lift, or they lurk in weeds. A Mat laying flat on a lake bottom had no structure. Zebra mussels may move across your Mat, but they don’t stay on it. To them it’s a barren desert.

If so, we have created a dynamic space where you can access short informative videos.
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