Lawn aeration is done for the purpose of improving soil drainage and the flow of oxygen in the lawn. When soil is receiving more oxygen, it attracts more worms and also helps microflora and microfauna develop, creating a healthy lawn.
Aeration can be used to deal with two common lawn problem. The first is lawn thatch, which is a layer of dead organic tissue preventing oxygen from getting into the soil. The second is soil that has been compacted, causing difficulties for grass growth and rainwater irrigation.
There are two types of aerators to choose from. Spike Aerators punch holes in the soil to increase the flow of oxygen. The more popular Core Aerators pull out sections of soil, which both improves the flow of oxygen through the soil and also is better for counteracting the effects of soil compaction.