Drainage problems Artificial grass | Forever Green Lawns (2024)

Is drainage important for artificial grass? Definitely! It is crucial that rainwater is syphoned away from the grass, or you’re likely to end up with bothersome pools of water lying on the grass, every time it rains, or when you water your plants!

If the artificial grass isn’t installed with drainage in mind, the life expectancy of your grass will be shortened considerably if you live in areas of high rainfall. The pools of water can make the grass look unlevel in some places and, of course, children and pets won’t be able to play on the grass without getting wet!

The grass itself should be fully permeable so that rainwater can run straight through it to the sub-base, however, it’s the sub-base installation that potentially poses problems. Good quality artificial grass, when installed correctly, should drain rainwater through a drainage base below the levelling layer (sand). Not installing this layer is typical of a poorly installed lawn so you’ll want to make sure you prepare your base thoroughly before laying your grass.

Most good installers will excavate the old current grass layer and remove the debris before laying an aggregate subbase on top of the soil. It is this base that acts as the drainage!

Generally, we would advise laying a type 1 limestone aggregate that acts as the drainage layer before sharp sand is laid and compacted.

To find out more detail about the installation process, view our how to lay artificial grass page here.

This method of drainage would solve most issues and eliminate the need for an expensive drainage system to install. It is only in very severe cases that you may need to fall back on an expensive drainage system as a last resort!

Will all artificial grass allow water to pass through?

Unfortunately, many installations from ‘experts’ have been below the standard at which artificial grass should be safely and efficiently laid. Common issues such as lack of preparation, insufficient depth of soil, or simply the wrong drainage aggregate use are common occurrences! Don’t get caught out!

Should all artificial grass be laid on soil, aggregate and sand?

The only other alternative to the soil is concrete slabs or paving which is, of course, commonplace in the garden. In this case, the existing slabs should be as level as possible and still in good condition before you consider laying artificial grass. Sometimes, installers would law a shock pad layer to be between the grass and concrete to ensure that the surface is softer, however, this alone won’t drain the grass. For more information on how you can lay artificial grass on concrete, get in touch with us on 01732 323 122.

Conclusion

By carrying out a full excavation of the existing surface, any reputable installer can tell you how much drainage you should be laying to prevent any flooding issues!

Remember, not all installers will carry out an artificial grass installationthe same way. You should also read reviews, speak with existing customers and do your research before you hire someone to install your lawn!

Drainage problems Artificial grass | Forever Green Lawns (1)

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Drainage problems Artificial grass | Forever Green Lawns (2024)

FAQs

Drainage problems Artificial grass | Forever Green Lawns? ›

Solution: Use Rubbles. Dig and use rubbles to fill areas where you want drainage to be smooth. It's a great way to make sure that liquids pass through easily. A word of caution, never use wet clay or granite dust under your fake lawn.

How can I improve drainage under artificial grass? ›

Solution: Use Rubbles. Dig and use rubbles to fill areas where you want drainage to be smooth. It's a great way to make sure that liquids pass through easily. A word of caution, never use wet clay or granite dust under your fake lawn.

Does artificial grass cause drainage problems? ›

The answer is yes, artificial lawns will drain and you might be surprised to learn that our American-made synthetic grass drains even better than its natural counterpart.

What is the proper drainage for artificial grass? ›

You don't need to buy a separate drainage system in most cases for the reason that artificial grass has its own very effective drainage solution. Artificial grass drainage is designed to allow water to penetrate through the turf backing and drain through the base to the water table, just like regular grass.

Do you need to put drainage under artificial grass? ›

Is drainage important for artificial grass? Definitely! It is crucial that rainwater is syphoned away from the grass, or you're likely to end up with bothersome pools of water lying on the grass, every time it rains, or when you water your plants!

What is the best sub base for drainage with artificial grass? ›

The two most common sub-base materials are granite and MOT Type 1. Chippings of granite, or sometimes limestone as an alternative, are larger stones that then provide excellent drainage below your artificial turf.

How can I improve my site drainage? ›

  1. Mix in Compost. If your poor drainage area is a relatively small one and not too severe, you can lighten the soil by working in lots of organic matter. ...
  2. Grow Water-Loving Plants. ...
  3. Build a Rain Garden. ...
  4. Create a Bog Garden or Pond. ...
  5. Install Drain Tile.
Feb 28, 2023

What is a negative of fake grass? ›

Plastic lawns can overheat in hot weather making them unusable. Artificial grass can contribute to global warming by absorbing significantly more radiation than living grass and, to a lesser extent, by displacing living plants that could remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

What impacts artificial drainage? ›

Artificial drainage increases the volume of water and total amount of nutrients leaving the watershed.

Does water penetrate through artificial grass? ›

The good news is that the artificial grass itself is engineered to be free-draining. The backing will be permeable so that water passes through it easily. For this reason fake grass actually tends to be more efficient at draining than natural grass.

How deep should lawn drainage be? ›

Dig a trench from the place in your yard that needs drainage to your chosen outlet. Check for underground utility lines and pipes before digging. The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide.

What happens if you just lay artificial grass on soil? ›

You must remove natural grass and all other organic matter, and lay a base before installing artificial turf on soil. Laying artificial grass on top of soil is a great option, but laying artificial turf on top of natural grass creates an uneven and unattractive surface that is more likely to become damaged.

Do you put gravel under artificial grass? ›

Yes, you can lay artificial grass on top of stones and gravel, provided the drainage is good and you can attach your artificial grass securely so that it doesn't move around – you can actually lay your artificial grass right on top of the gravel with a layer of smoothed sand between to provide an even base layer for ...

What do you put on ground before artificial grass? ›

Pour white sand onto the turf and use a broom or the back of a rake to evenly spread it. This will help protect the turf from UV rays. You need 10-15 kilograms of sand for every square metre. After you have a base of white sand on the turf, evenly throw the green sand on top.

What is the best material for in ground drainage? ›

Non-woven geotextile fabric is the best choice for drainage applications where water flow through (permeability) is the main concern. Non-woven landscape fabric is commonly used in French-drains, drain-fields, and erosion control.

How can we solve the problem of drainage system? ›

One popular solution to a drainage problem is to route rain water to a low point in your yard where it can flow away from the house naturally over rocks in a dry creek bed. In particularly heavy storm events, the debris washed away from by excess water will be captured in a catch basin (pictured).

How do you fix bad yard drainage? ›

Amend the soil.

Amending the soil with a top dressing of materials like sand, loam, and compost that water can more easily pass through can greatly improve drainage. In some cases, the lawn may need to be tilled for a more aggressive amending, followed by seed and fertilizer.

What are three methods of improving poor drainage? ›

Besides addition of organic matter, there are also other ways to address soil drainage problems:
  • Install subsurface tile drains. ...
  • Install vertical drains in tree and shrub planting holes. ...
  • Plant in raised soil beds. ...
  • Mix layers of soil.
Jan 15, 2020

Do weeds grow through fake grass? ›

Will My Artificial Grass Get Weeds? Artificial Turf is durable and without a doubt more weed resistant than natural grass. However, it is possible for weeds to grow through the small holes in the backing material and around the edges. Depending on the type of infill used, weeds may sometimes develop in the infill.

Does dog pee affect fake grass? ›

Well, unlike real turf, artificial grass won't die when a dog pees on it. Dog urine drains away, just like rain, so you won't end up staring out at a yellow sea. Dog faeces will need to be cleaned up, just as you would on a real lawn. Simply scoop the mess up and hose the area down to remove any residual grains.

Does fake grass grow mold? ›

Does artificial grass get moldy? Yes, even with rigorous maintenance, it is possible to have fungus or mold spring up in your synthetic turf.

What are four effects of poor drainage system? ›

Issues concerning drainage other than health

Stormwater, or floodwater, can kill people or animals, and can destroy buildings, roads or crops. Floods can make it impossible for people to move around. Poor drainage can cause landslides and mudflows, which may be a risk to people and their property.

What might be most affected by drainage issues? ›

Without proper drainage, water can collect in your yard creating structural issues to your home, damage to plants and flowers, an increase in bugs and a messy, swampy mess. Signs that you may have poor drainage are: Water in the basem*nt. Mosquitoes breeding in puddling water.

Why is drainage a problem? ›

Drainage systems are constantly exposed to wear and tear that eventually cause fractures to the pipes. These cracks are typically located near the joints where wastewater can leak through, flow into the lower, surrounding areas, and weaken their structure.

Can artificial grass help with flooding? ›

Synthetic turf has drainage systems in place if there is heavy water accumulation. These drainage systems prevent flooding in most cases if there is not an overwhelming amount of rain. If there is an overwhelming amount of rain, there will be some puddles.

How many inches drop per foot for drainage? ›

Using a minimum slope of 2% will encourage a good flow when directing water to a rain garden. For a 2% slope your pipe height will lower ~¼ inch for every foot of length. You can also approximate this by multiplying the pipe length in inches by . 02.

How do I drain my yard without slope? ›

The Most Effective Drainage Solutions for Flat Yards
  1. French drain. A French drain can be installed by digging a trench and adding a PVC pipe surrounded by gravel. ...
  2. Dry well system. A dry well system is another cost-effective drainage method for flat yards. ...
  3. Water-absorbing plants. Many plants are great at soaking up water.
Feb 21, 2021

How far down is drainage? ›

They can be as shallow as 12″ to 30,” or as deep as 6+ ft. Often times this is simply a matter of climate. In really cold climates, the pipe is buried deeper to prevent the pipe from freezing solid in winter. Every now and then you will run into a sewer line that is buried deep even in a warm climate.

Do you put anything under artificial grass? ›

Geotextile paper is the most commonly used underlayment for artificial turf, which is also called a geotextile mat. When installing artificial turf, it is very important to install the geotextile paper under the turf.

Why do you have to put sand on artificial grass? ›

The sand provides stability and protects the turf. As a result, no wrinkles or folds develop through use. The sand also surrounds the long blades of artificial grass and ensures that they remain erect.

Can you put artificial grass on top of dirt? ›

It's essential that you prepare the ground sufficiently ahead of starting the fit so that your new artificial lawn gives you years of maintenance-free pleasure. Laying fake grass over any type of soil is no problem at all, but you must follow the groundwork rules. A level, well-drained surface is a must.

Do you put landscape fabric under artificial grass? ›

In order to prevent weeds from taking root and growing up through your artificial lawn, it is suggested to install a fabric weed barrier beneath the turf installation (unless areas will be used by pets). Install weed barrier (fabric), overlapping seams 6"–12". Secure to base with 20D nails or landscape staples.

What is the best surface for artificial grass? ›

There are a few different sub-base options, the most common being crushed granite stone. This is sometimes referred to as Grano dust or 4-6mm dust. You can also use limestone and MOT Type 1, but here at Artificial Lawn Company, we mainly use our own special mix of crushed granite aggregate.

How deep should sub-base be for artificial grass? ›

What depth should the sub-base be installed to? This depends on usage. For domestic applications, we recommend a minimum depth of 50mm (2”). For commercial or public areas, such as artificial grass at schools and playgrounds, we recommend installing a sub-base of between 75mm to 100mm (3” to 4”).

How can I improve my soil with poor drainage? ›

A key practice for improving soil drainage is incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. Organic matter improves soil structure by increasing soil aggregation which allows for more and varied pore sizes. Soil aggregates are groups of mineral particles that bind together.

How can I improve water absorption in my lawn? ›

Adding organic matter can help. The next time you aerate the lawn, fill in the holes with some compost or peat moss. In clay soils, this organic matter will open the soil, helping water infiltrate rather than run off. In sandy soils, this organic matter will help the soil hold onto the water before it drains away.

What does artificial turf need a significant under layer of to assist in drainage? ›

To assist with drainage and also ensure that your artificial turf doesn't slump, you'll need to install some sort of base material. In most cases, this will be gravel, and you'll need about a yard of gravel per every 100 square feet of turf you're planning to install.

What do you put under artificial grass on soil? ›

You can install artificial grass on soil but it does require some preparation to do so. You will need to clear the area of weeds and grass and remove around 3 – 4 inches of soil and add a sub base – a geotextile membrane and sharp sand to provide a level area.

Will adding sand to soil improve drainage? ›

Sand is one of the cheapest things you can add to your garden soil that will help to break up the soil. The small particle size of the sand will get in between soil clods and break them up, increase drainage, and help to aerate the soil for good root development.

What are the symptoms of poor soil drainage? ›

Signs of poor drainage

Surface water, ponding and flooding. Yellow leaves on plants caused by a lack of nitrogen and oxygen. Machinery tracks. The soil particles pack together into clods.

How can I make my lawn soil more absorbent? ›

Work organic matter into your soil to make your lawn more amenable to water absorption. Garden compost, leaf mold, and manure will open the soil up and create smaller channels through which water can escape. Dig. For hardpan problems, a shovel may be the best solution.

What product helps lawn absorb water? ›

Rain Maker is a water retention polymer for lawns that will absorb over 400 times its weight in water. Rain Maker then holds the water in a gel form until the surrounding dirt dries and the water is then released into the soil.

Why do they spray water on artificial turf? ›

Watering artificial turf fields can: Lubricate the surface which reduces injuries. Cools the surface so rug burns are minimized. Stabilize the surface which adds to the longevity of the field.

Can you put holes in artificial grass? ›

Avoid Puncturing Your Artificial Grass

You can install a volleyball set-up, build a haunted house or decorate your front lawn for the holidays, but do not use stakes or anything else that will punch holes in your turf's mesh backing.

What membrane do you need for artificial grass? ›

Geotextile Weed Membrane for artificial grass is the best way to prevent unwanted weeds from growing up through your new lawn – available in a range of sizes to ensure that your lawn always looks its best.

Can you just put sand under artificial grass? ›

The short answer is yes. We certainly recommend that you use a silica sand infill on all types of artificial grass. Even though some 'non-infill' grasses have been developed in recent years, these basically just have a dense lower thatch, and it's still important to install a sand infill to your artificial lawn.

Why do you sand under artificial grass? ›

The sand provides stability and protects the turf. As a result, no wrinkles or folds develop through use. The sand also surrounds the long blades of artificial grass and ensures that they remain erect.

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