AirDrain lifts pet turf about 1 inch off the base and fills that space with an open plastic grid that is mostly air. Dog urine falls straight through the turf into the air gap, then flows sideways to the edge of the yard instead of soaking into the rock under the grass. The result is a dog area that drains faster, dries faster, and holds far less odor.
At Artificial Turf Express, we stock AirDrain tiles at our San Jose yard for homeowners, DIY installers, and contractors building dog runs and pet areas. This guide explains what AirDrain is, how it moves urine, when a Bay Area yard actually needs it, and how to install it.
What Is AirDrain?
AirDrain is a geocell drainage tile made by AirField Systems from recycled plastic. Each tile is a rigid, honeycomb-style grid about 1 inch tall, and the manufacturer rates it at a 92% air void, meaning only about 8% of the tile is solid plastic. The tiles snap together into one continuous layer that sits between the base and the turf.
Our AirDrain tiles measure 32 inches by 32 inches, so each one covers a little over 7 square feet. AirDrain has been used under artificial grass since the early 2000s in dog daycares, kennels, airport pet relief areas, and rooftop dog runs, and it works just as well in a backyard.
How Does AirDrain Work Under Pet Turf?
AirDrain moves urine in two directions: straight down through the turf, then sideways across the air gap to an exit point. Both have to happen quickly for a dog area to stay fresh, and the air gap is what makes both fast.
Vertical drainage: urine leaves the turf immediately
When a dog urinates, the liquid passes through the turf backing and drops into the open space below. Because almost nothing is touching the underside of the turf, urine has no surface to cling to. Instead of spreading through it, gravity pulls it away from the backing.
This matters most with a flow-through pet grass such as Express PET, whose backing drains at over 400 inches per hour. A fast backing over a fast drainage layer means urine spends only seconds in the turf.
Horizontal drainage: urine flows to the edge
Once urine is in the air gap, it runs along the slope of the base toward the perimeter, where it can exit into soil, a gravel trench, or a drain. AirField Systems tested AirDrain under the ASTM D 4716 hydraulic transmissivity standard and reports that, on a nearly flat 1/2% slope, the grid can carry 2.85 inches of rainfall per minute. In practice, the speed of a pet area is limited by the turf above and the exit drain, not by the tile.
Why turf laid directly on rock traps urine
Without a drainage tile, the turf backing sits pressed against the compacted base. Urine has to find its way into the small gaps between stones, and whatever does not soak in right away sits against the backing and the top of the base. Over weeks of daily use, that residue breaks down into ammonia, which is the source of most pet turf odor.
AirField Systems describes this as the difference between permeation and drainage. Rock beneath turf lets liquid slowly permeate. An air gap lets it drain, and it lets you flush the area with water when you need to.
Airflow helps the turf dry and stay cooler.
The air gap also lets air move up through the turf. Moisture evaporates faster, so the backing and infill dry out between uses, which gives odor-causing bacteria less to work with. The same airflow can help take some heat off the surface on sunny afternoons.
Do You Need AirDrain Under Your Pet Turf?
You need AirDrain when urine cannot drain away fast enough through the base on its own: over concrete, on dense clay, in dog runs used by several dogs, and in shady spots that stay damp. In a large, sunny yard with one small dog and sandy soil, a well-built base may be enough.
| Yard situation | AirDrain recommended? | Why |
| Turf over a concrete patio, slab, or side yard | Yes | Concrete absorbs nothing, so urine needs an air gap to reach an exit point |
| Clay soil, common in parts of the Santa Clara Valley | Yes | Clay drains slowly and holds moisture under the base |
| Dedicated dog run or potty area | Yes | Urine is concentrated in one small space every day |
| Two or more dogs, or large breeds | Yes | More urine per square foot than a standard base handles well |
| Narrow, shaded side yard | Usually | Little sun means the turf dries slowly |
| Large sunny lawn, one small dog, sandy soil | Optional | A compacted, sloped base often drains well enough |
AirDrain is one part of a larger setup. Our Pet Turf System pairs AirDrain tiles with Express PET grass and Wonderfill antimicrobial infill, so the backing, drainage layer, and infill all work at the same speed.
Can AirDrain go on concrete?
Yes, and concrete is where AirDrain makes the biggest difference. The tiles lay directly on the slab, framed by edge boards, with the turf secured on top. Make sure the slab slopes toward an edge or drain, and leave a path for water to leave the frame. Our guide to installing artificial turf on concrete covers edging, securing the turf, and drainage over a slab.
How to Install AirDrain Tiles Under Pet Turf
AirDrain installs between a finished base and the turf, and most DIY installers can lay it in a few hours. The steps below assume a soil yard; on concrete, start at step 3.
- Prepare and compact the base. Remove sod and soil, then lay a crushed aggregate base such as Class II road base, compacting it in layers. Grade it so water runs toward the yard’s edge or a drain. Our guide to the best base for artificial turf explains depth, compaction, and grading.
- Test the slope. Run a hose across the finished base and watch where the water goes. Fix any low spots now, since the tiles follow the base’s shape.
- Plan the exit point. Decide where urine and rinse water will leave the system: a gravel trench, a perimeter drain, or open soil past the turf edge.
- Lay the tiles. Start in one corner and work across the area in rows, snapping each tile to its neighbors. Cut tiles to fit edges with a saw or heavy-duty snips.
- Secure the edges. Frame the area with edge boards or a bender board so the tiles stay in place and the turf has something firm to attach to.
- Install the turf. Roll out the pet grass over the tiles, seam it, and secure it at the perimeter. Avoid overdriving nails or staples, which can leave dips in the surface.
- Brush in the infill. Spread an antimicrobial infill evenly and brush it into the fibers to the depth the turf manufacturer recommends.
How many AirDrain tiles do you need?
Divide your area in square feet by 7.1 (the coverage of one 32-inch by 32-inch tile), then add about 5 to 10% for cuts. A 200-square-foot dog run needs about 29 tiles before waste, or roughly 31 to 32 with it.
How to Clean Pet Turf Installed Over AirDrain
Pet turf over AirDrain needs the same basic care as any pet turf, but it rinses clean much faster. Pick up solid waste daily, hose down potty spots at least weekly, and use an enzyme cleaner on high-use areas about once a month. Because the air gap carries rinse water away instead of holding it, a short soak usually clears what a longer rinse would on turf laid directly on rock.
High-use dog areas can also add a flushing line. AirField Systems describes a simple perimeter system of PVC or rubber piping connected to a hose bib, which pushes water through the air gap to wash residue toward the exit drain.
Use turf-safe enzyme cleaners rather than bleach or ammonia. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center notes that most cleaning products are safe around dogs when used as directed, so follow the label and let the turf dry before your dog goes back out.
It also helps to plan upkeep before you buy. The Synthetic Turf Council, an industry non-profit, publishes maintenance guidelines that stress routine care and following your turf’s warranty terms.
AirDrain in San Jose: Local Tips
San Jose’s long dry season, roughly May through October, is when AirDrain earns its keep. With little rain to flush the system, urine residue builds up faster, and the air gap keeps it from settling into the base. Rinse potty spots more often in those months.
In winter, heavy storms test the exit point more than the tiles. After a big rain, check that water is leaving the frame and not backing up at the edge. On clay subgrades, a gravel trench along the low side gives that water somewhere to go.
FAQ
What is AirDrain made of?
AirDrain is made from recycled plastic and formed into a rigid geocell grid about 1 inch tall. The manufacturer rates it at a 92% air void.
Does AirDrain stop pet turf from smelling?
AirDrain greatly reduces odor because urine drains away from the turf instead of sitting against the backing and base. You still need to pick up solids and rinse regularly, but the smell has far less to build on.
Can you put AirDrain directly on dirt?
No. AirDrain should sit on a compacted, graded aggregate base or on concrete. Bare soil can shift and settle, which leaves the tiles uneven.
Do you still need infill with AirDrain?
Yes. Infill keeps the turf fibers upright and adds weight. An antimicrobial infill is the best match for a pet area over AirDrain.
Does AirDrain make turf cooler?
The air gap lets air move up through the turf and helps moisture evaporate, which can reduce surface heat. It does not replace shade or a rinse on very hot days.
How long does AirDrain last?
AirDrain is a rigid plastic grid that does not break down like organic material, and it can usually be reused when the turf on top is replaced. Check the manufacturer’s warranty for exact terms.
Can I install AirDrain myself?
Yes. The tiles snap together without special tools, and most homeowners can lay a typical dog run in a few hours once the base or slab is ready.
Get AirDrain Tiles in San Jose
AirDrain turns a pet area from a surface that slowly soaks up urine into one that drains it away, and it is one of the simplest upgrades a dog owner can make before installing turf. Artificial Turf Express keeps AirDrain tiles, pet grass, and pet infill in stock and ready for pickup in San Jose, and our team can help you work out the tile count and layout for your yard. Contact Artificial Turf Express by calling (408) 413-3179 or visiting us at 370 Umbarger Rd, San Jose, CA 95111.
