Aeration is a service that is performed to loosen compacted soil, which improves the ability of your lawn to absorb nutrients and form new roots. A specialized machine is used to "core" your lawn, removing little plugs of dirt and grass and allowing them to disintegrate on your lawn over the next week or two.

If you don't have the equipment, this can be a challenging task to perform on your own, and it requires you to clearly identify sprinkler heads or any other hidden obstructions that could be damaged by (or cause damage to) the equipment.

After aeration and dethatching, it is common for yard service companies to apply grass seed to your lawn. The grass seed will have ample opportunity to grow on your lawn with fewer obstructions, and it is a recommended step to perform to ensure that your lawn remains thick and lush.