When you need extra drainage
- Tight soils: Clay or compacted subgrades that hold water after rain.
- Flat or low spots: Little to no slope where water naturally lingers.
- Concentrated runoff: Downspouts, hillside flow, or hardscape that dumps water toward the green.
- High water table or seasonal saturation: Ground stays wet for days.
- Edging that traps water: Curbs or mow strips without weep paths.
How a well-drained green is built
Standard build for most sites
- Excavate organic material to stable subgrade.
- Install non-woven geotextile to separate soil and base where soils are soft.
- Place 3 to 6 inches of compacted, open-graded crushed stone base. Shape to 1 to 2 percent surface slope away from structures.
- Add a fine leveling layer and compact to a firm, smooth surface.
- Set cups with surrounding drain rock so water cannot pool in the holes.
- Install perforated putting turf. Brush and infill per spec.
This assembly drains efficiently on most residential lots without extra drains.
Optional drainage upgrades and typical cost adders
- French drain trenches: Interceptor drains at low edges or along uphill sides. Typical adder: $20 to $40 per linear foot, often equal to $1 to $3 per sq ft across the project depending on layout.
- Catch basins with solid outlet: Point collection where runoff concentrates. Typical adder: $150 to $300 per basin plus outlet piping.
- Perimeter relief drain: A ring drain tied to an outlet when soils are tight. Typical adder: $2 to $4 per sq ft on small greens.
- Drainage mat underlayment: Speeds lateral flow across flat sites. Typical adder: $1.50 to $3.00 per sq ft.
- Extra excavation and haul-off: Needed in saturated or organic soils. Typical adder: $1 to $3 per sq ft.
Pricing varies by region, access, and total size. Small projects can have higher per sq ft adders due to fixed setup time.
Site check you can do in 15 minutes
- Soak test: After a steady hose soak, watch how long puddles remain on bare soil. If water stands for more than an hour, plan on upgrades.
- Bucket test: Fill a 12 inch wide hole with water. If it is still full after 60 minutes, soils are likely tight.
- Slope check: Lay a 10 foot straightedge with a level. A 1 to 2 inch fall over 10 feet equals a 1 to 2 percent slope, which sheds water well.
- Runoff mapping: Note roof downspouts and hardscape. If they point at the green area, budget for an interceptor drain or redirection.
Cost scenarios
Well-draining soil, 400 sq ft backyard
- Base with 1 to 2 percent slope and perforated turf: Included in standard build.
- Extra drainage: None likely. Potential minor grading adder: $0 to $0.50 per sq ft.
- Expected drainage adder: $0 to $200 total.
Clay soil with roof runoff, 600 sq ft
- French drain along uphill edge: 60 linear feet at $25 to $40 per foot equals $1,500 to $2,400.
- Two catch basins tied to outlet: $300 to $600.
- Optional drainage mat under green: 600 sq ft at $1.50 to $3.00 equals $900 to $1,800.
- Estimated drainage adder: $2.75 to $4.80 per sq ft.
Performance tips that keep ball roll true
- Hold the grade: Maintain a consistent 1 to 2 percent surface slope so water leaves the play area fast.
- Relieve the cups: Surround each cup with free-draining aggregate to prevent micro pooling.
- Avoid trapped edges: Add weep gaps in curbing or use permeable borders.
- Manage sources: Extend or redirect downspouts so they bypass the green.
How FusionTurf specifies drainage
- Site-first design: We assess soil, slope, runoff paths, and code-required outlets before we place a single stake.
- Right-size the base: We use open-graded stone and compaction that drains fast and plays fast.
- Upgrades only when they pay off: Interceptor drains, catch basins, or drainage mats are added where they add measurable performance.
- Clean outlets: Drains discharge to daylight or an approved storm system. No dead ends.
- Transparent costs: We price drainage as clear line items so you see the value.
