Do a soil test. Follow the directions carefully and add the amendment recommended by the evaluation results. Check for soil compaction and aerate if necessary. Soil that's too compacted prevents water and oxygen from reaching plant roots. Compacted soil also causes runoff and erosion.
Some grasses are more prone to thatch accumulation than others.
A thatch layer that's too thick creates a shallow root system that can't survive dry weather. Whether you're seeding a new lawn or reseeding an existing one, grow the right kind of grass for your growing zone. Follow the fertilizing and irrigation schedule that applies to your turfgrass variety. When you water, water deeply in the early morning. Deep watering reaches the roots, exactly where strong healthy grass comes from.