Lay the artificial grass over the secured underlay, then finish the perimeter and seams according to the turf system being used. Before completing the installation, check that edges, adhesive, and fixing points do not obstruct the intended drainage path.
The finished feel and impact performance depend on the complete system — the turf, underlay, concrete base, and how the layers are installed together.
05Why Drainage Fails Under Artificial Turf on Concrete
Why Turf Can Drain but Water Still Pools
Water can pass through a permeable or perforated turf backing, but once it reaches an impermeable concrete slab, it still needs somewhere to go.
Before installation, identify the slab’s high and low points and determine exactly where water will leave the area. If water already remains on the bare concrete after rain or washing, installing a pad over it does not remove the underlying drainage problem.
In our experience with concrete-base turf projects, one of the most common mistakes is assuming that a flat, solid slab automatically makes installation easier. The turf itself may drain well, but concrete does not absorb that water. If the slab has no suitable slope, drainage channel, or clear outlet, moisture can remain trapped between the turf system and the concrete, eventually contributing to standing water, odor, and an unstable feel underfoot.
For outdoor landscape and football turf installed over concrete, we therefore check the drainage path before focusing on the padding thickness. In rainy locations especially, the first question should be where the water will go after it passes through the turf. A suitable cushion or shock pad can improve comfort and performance, but it cannot compensate for a slab that has nowhere for water to escape.
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