How pet turf moves water and urine

Modern pet turf is engineered to pass liquids through the backing, into an open graded aggregate base, and out to daylight or a drain. The entire surface is designed to shed rain and rinse urine quickly so your dogs are not standing in puddles.

Two drainage paths

  • Through the backing: A fully permeable backing allows water and urine to pass across the entire surface area.
  • Through the base: Clean, angular stone provides open voids that move water to the edge, a channel drain, or a French drain.

Backing types and what works best for pets

  • Fully permeable backing: Best for pets because liquids pass through anywhere on the surface. It reduces pooling and speeds up drying.
  • Perforated backing: Works, but liquids only exit at holes. Choose this only when a permeable base is not possible and add extra slope and drainage support.

Build the base for fast drainage

  1. Excavate and remove organics until stable subgrade is reached.
  2. Install a non woven geotextile to separate soil from stone where soils are soft.
  3. Add 3 to 4 inches of clean, angular, open graded aggregate. Compact in lifts.
  4. Grade the base to 1 to 2 percent slope toward a safe discharge point.
  5. Where needed, add a French drain or channel drain at the low edge.

A well built base is the engine of drainage. Avoid stone dust or fines that trap moisture.

Infill that supports drainage and freshness

  • Antimicrobial coated sand: Helps control bacteria and odors while allowing free flow of water.
  • Zeolite infill: Adsorbs ammonia from urine and releases it when rinsed. Useful in shaded or high use dog areas.
  • Target amounts: Typically 1 to 2 pounds per square foot depending on pile height and traffic.

Urine management and odor control

  • Regular rinse: Light use yards often stay fresh with a quick hose rinse a few times per week.
  • Enzyme cleaner: In multi dog or kennel settings, use a pet safe enzymatic cleaner as needed to break down residue.
  • Airflow and sun: Good ventilation and sunlight help keep the system dry and odor free.

Rain performance by site condition

  • Heavy rain zones: Use fully permeable backing plus open graded base and verify a clear discharge path. Consider an edge drain in large flat areas.
  • Freeze thaw climates: Keep fines out of the base and maintain slope so meltwater has a path to drain.
  • Shaded yards: Prefer zeolite or antimicrobial infill and schedule rinses since evaporation is slower.

Over concrete, pavers, or rooftops

  • Add a drainage pad or spacer tile to create an air channel under the turf.
  • Ensure the hard surface has slope toward a drain or scupper.
  • Use odor controlling infill and plan for periodic rinsing to the drain.

Common install mistakes to avoid

  • Flat grade with no discharge path.
  • Using compacted fines that hold water.
  • Too little infill, which can trap odors in the fibers.
  • Skipping geotextile on soft soils, leading to base contamination.

Quick spec checklist

  • Backing: Fully permeable for pet areas.
  • Base: 3 to 4 inches of clean, angular, open graded aggregate.
  • Slope: 1 to 2 percent toward daylight or a drain.
  • Infill: Antimicrobial coated sand or zeolite at 1 to 2 pounds per square foot.
  • Maintenance: Hose rinse routinely, enzyme cleaner as needed, brush fibers upright.