Base Preparation And Grading in Arlington, TX

Base preparation determines virtually every aspect of artificial turf performance including drainage, surface stability, longevity, and appearance over time. A properly prepared base provides the drainage that prevents standing water and allows the surface to dry quickly after rain. It creates the stable, firm foundation that prevents settling, dips, or uneven areas from developing as the installation ages. Proper compaction ensures the surface remains smooth under traffic rather than becoming loose or shifting. The base provides the framework that keeps turf properly secured and tensioned. Inadequate base preparation is the primary cause of artificial turf installation failures including poor drainage with water pooling, surface irregularities that develop within months, premature turf wear in areas where inadequate support allows excessive movement, and costly repairs that far exceed the cost of doing the work properly initially. While the turf itself is visible, the unseen base beneath controls whether your installation delivers satisfaction for 15 to 20 years or becomes a source of ongoing problems and disappointment.

Crushed granite and decomposed granite are the most common and effective base materials for artificial turf installations in the Arlington area. These aggregate materials compact well to create stable, firm foundations while maintaining excellent drainage through their angular particle structure. The ideal base material has a mixture of particle sizes with gradation specifications that allow tight compaction while preserving void spaces for water flow. Crushed granite typically contains particles ranging from fines up to three-eighths or three-quarter inch, providing the combination of stability and drainage turf installations require. Some installers use alternative materials such as crushed limestone or recycled concrete aggregate, which can perform adequately when properly graded and compacted. Materials to avoid include sand, which does not compact firmly and tends to shift, and round gravel, which does not compact well due to spherical particle shapes. The specific material matters less than proper gradation, adequate depth, and thorough compaction using professional equipment and techniques.

Artificial turf installations typically require one to two percent grade slope for proper drainage, which equals approximately one to two inches of elevation drop per ten feet of distance. This subtle slope directs water away from structures and toward appropriate drainage areas without being noticeable to the eye or affecting usability. Perfectly flat surfaces are avoided because they can develop slight depressions over time that allow water pooling, whereas even minimal slope encourages water movement. Steeper slopes of three to five percent or more may be used in areas with severe drainage challenges or to quickly direct water away from buildings, though very steep slopes can affect how turf appears and performs. The slope should be consistent and smooth rather than having irregular high and low spots that create drainage problems. During base preparation, we establish appropriate grades based on your property's specific conditions, existing drainage infrastructure, and relationship to adjacent structures. Even with proper base slope, the perforated turf backing and porous base materials allow much water to drain vertically through the system rather than all running across the surface.

Yes, professional base preparation addresses and corrects most drainage problems that plague natural lawns including standing water, muddy areas, erosion, and poor soil absorption. The process involves regrading to eliminate low spots where water collects and establishing proper slopes that direct water toward appropriate drainage areas. The engineered base system using crushed granite drains far more effectively than the compacted clay soil common in Arlington, allowing water to percolate through at rates of 30 inches per hour or more. For properties with severe drainage challenges, we can install French drains, channel drains, or other subsurface drainage components that collect and redirect water. The combination of proper grading, porous base materials, and drainage systems typically solves even difficult water management issues. However, some situations such as properties at the bottom of significant slopes receiving runoff from large surrounding areas may require extensive drainage engineering beyond standard base preparation. Site assessment identifies drainage challenges and allows us to recommend appropriate solutions during the preparation phase.

Base preparation and grading timelines vary based on project size, site conditions, and complexity but typically range from one to three days for most residential installations. A standard front or back yard of 1000 to 2000 square feet with relatively straightforward conditions can often be prepared in one to two days. Larger yards of 3000 to 5000 square feet or projects requiring extensive grading corrections, drainage system installation, or dealing with difficult site conditions may take three to five days. Very large commercial projects or athletic fields require extended timelines based on their scope. The process includes site preparation, weed barrier installation, base material placement in layers, systematic compaction of each layer, finish grading and leveling, and quality verification. Weather affects timelines, as we need dry conditions for proper compaction and avoid working with saturated materials. For complete turf installation projects, base preparation flows directly into turf placement, so the overall project timeline includes both phases. We provide specific estimates during consultation based on your particular project parameters.

While it is physically possible to place artificial turf directly on soil or over inadequate bases, doing so virtually guarantees poor performance, drainage problems, and premature failure. Turf installed without proper base preparation develops numerous issues including standing water and poor drainage because compacted clay soil does not drain efficiently, surface settling and depressions as soil compacts unevenly under traffic and weather exposure, weed growth through the turf from unprepared soil beneath, uneven and irregular appearance from following the natural bumps and dips of ground surfaces, premature turf wear and damage in areas lacking proper support, and costly repairs or complete reinstallation within a few years. Professional base preparation costs represent approximately 40 to 50 percent of total installation investment but they determine whether the other 50 to 60 percent spent on turf and installation labor delivers long-term value or becomes wasted money on a failed installation. Attempting to save money by skipping or shortcutting base work is a false economy that typically costs far more in the long run through poor performance and premature replacement.

Inadequate base compaction creates multiple serious problems that emerge over time as the loose base material settles under traffic, weather, and gravity. Poorly compacted bases develop surface depressions, dips, and uneven areas as the material compresses, creating an irregular, wavy turf appearance that worsens over time. The turf may separate from the base in areas where settling creates gaps, allowing movement that accelerates wear and potential seam separation. Edges may sink, creating trip hazards and unprofessional appearance. Drainage performance degrades as settling material closes void spaces needed for water flow. Some areas may become soft and spongy rather than firm and stable. The base may shift laterally under traffic, causing turf to wrinkle or bunch. These issues typically cannot be corrected without removing the turf and redoing the base work, turning the cost savings from rushed compaction into expensive repairs. Professional base preparation uses mechanical compaction equipment and systematic techniques including working in thin lifts, making multiple passes with compactors, and verifying firmness to achieve the density and stability required for long-lasting installations.

Yes, different artificial turf applications have varying base preparation requirements based on their performance demands, drainage needs, and usage intensity. Standard residential landscape turf uses conventional base preparation with three to four inches of compacted crushed granite and moderate drainage slopes. Athletic fields and sports surfaces require engineered bases with precise specifications including thicker aggregate layers, specific particle gradations, tight grading tolerances, verified compaction levels, and often extensive drainage systems to meet playability and safety standards. Pet turf installations benefit from enhanced drainage using deeper or coarser bases and steeper slopes to handle urine. Putting greens require extremely precise leveling and specialized base systems that support proper ball roll. Poolside turf needs maximum drainage capacity with enhanced perforations and slope. Rooftop installations use lightweight alternatives to standard aggregate bases. Commercial high-traffic areas may include reinforced bases or thicker layers for durability. Understanding your specific application allows us to design and execute base preparation appropriate for the performance requirements and usage your installation will experience.