If you happen to be asking yourself why an artificial grass drainage system is useful or even necessary, great question! Proper drainage is a crucial component of all turf installations. Poor water flow could easily result in flooding, creating a surface with a plethora of complications – such as mold and rotting – and simply causes the area to be unusable. In instances where sufficient drainage cannot be achieved by subbase installation and compaction alone, or if the installation surface is a rooftop or hardscape, then an added drainage solution will often be required.

AirDrain Subsurface Drainage System

In the fall of 2020, Purchase Green added the AirDrain artificial grass drainage system to the installation accessory lineup. AirDrain is a subsurface grid that is installed beneath the turf to collect and redirect water to a predetermined exit drain. Due to its 1 inch depth and a 92% air void – elevating the turf from the compacted or nonpermeable surface – AirDrain allows air to circulate and water to pass through rapidly, which can be a contributor to helping keep turf cooler, preventing bacteria and odor buildup, as well as reinforce injury prevention by improving HIC and GMax ratings.

Most notably, AirDrain assists in increasing the overall drainage rate of the application site. Although, the rate at which liquids are able to drain through the surface material – such as shock pads, turf, or landscape fabric – will impact how quickly those liquids can then channel through the AirDrain grid underneath. But even still, AirDrain can: 1) hold a half-gallon of water per square foot if needed until it can evacuate to the exit drains, 2) only needs a .25% slope for effective drainage, and 3) drains at a rate of 171 inches per hour.

AirDrain’s performance is most meaningful for rooftop and pet applications – as rooftops are nonpermeable surfaces that necessitate steady water flow off of and away from the building, and pet areas or dog kennels need continuous movement to prevent substantial odor and bacteria buildup from pet waste.

Installations over hardscape, such as a patio deck or paving stones, will also often require collection and redirection of water, should the surface’s slope be inefficient in diverting liquids on its own; and even projects over an aggregate base may experience disruption in water flow if the aggregate mixture isn’t permeable enough, and could see significant improvements with the use of AirDrain.

Furthermore, one pallet of AirDrain weighs 390 pounds, carries 114 sheets that weigh 3 pounds each, and covers about 798 square feet – a critical benefit for rooftops in particular. Because of the ability to easily pack, ship, and move these pallets, installations with limited site access or those that require elevator access can receive product shipments with much less difficulty.

AirDrain also supports greater shock attenuation. While being certified using the ASTM F355 test method and safety requirements, it was shown that AirDrain achieves an 18.9% improvement for applications over a gravel subbase, and a 14.7% improvement for applications over a concrete subbase – another meaningful solution for those installing on a sports field or playground.

Another noteworthy benefit of AirDrain is that it is exceptionally durable and long-lasting. Because it is made up of a recycled copolymer that has an added compound called “metallocene” that qualifies the material as a “No Break” plastic, it is able to withstand extreme heat and cold yet still maintains performance – and can even be reused multiple times while synthetic turf must eventually be replaced. Additionally, AirDrain has patented expansion and contraction connectors built-in and can add valuable LEED points to any green project.

For more info about AirDrain, check out the video below! And let us know if we can answer any questions you have. You can click that live chat bar on the side of the screen to talk to a real Purchase Green artificial grass expert or contact us here. We’re always happy, helpful, and happy to help!

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