A bare red clay backyard around a pool house became a green, no-mow artificial turf lawn over a compacted, drained base, built to stay dry after heavy rain.
Before
Same yard toward the pool house: bare graded clay (left) and the finished turf lawn (right).
The problem: a clay yard that turned to mud
This Weddington backyard wrapped around a pool house and covered patio, but the ground was bare red clay. Clay holds water at the surface, so every heavy rain left mud and puddles, and grass struggled to take hold.
The homeowners wanted a green, usable yard that drained properly and stayed clean around the pool.
How we did it
- Grade the clay. We shaped the yard so water moves away from the house and pool house.
- Build in drainage. Drainage runs beneath the surface, with a river rock bed and drain inlet along the side yard to carry runoff away.
- Base and compaction. A crushed stone base, compacted with a plate compactor so the turf stays flat for years.
- Install the turf. Synthetic turf was laid, seamed, trimmed to the patio, fence and gravel borders, and infilled.
We fix the drainage first, then install turf that stays green and dry. Get a free on-site estimate.
Why drainage matters under artificial turf
Turf is only as good as what is under it. On Union County clay, water soaks in slowly, so turf laid without a proper base and drainage can hold water at the surface. A compacted stone base lets water move through and away, and a drainage path on the low side keeps it from collecting.
The finished yard
The yard is green year-round, drains after storms instead of puddling, and the pool house area stays clean, with no mowing and no mud tracked inside.
Want to see more? Browse before-and-after photos from all of our jobs in the CLT Pros project gallery.
Questions homeowners ask us
Does artificial turf drain?
Yes. Quality turf has a permeable backing, so rain passes straight through. How fast it leaves the yard depends on the base and grading underneath, which is why we build the base and drainage first.
Can you install artificial turf on clay soil?
Yes, as long as the base is built for it. On clay we grade for runoff, add drainage where water collects, and compact a stone base before any turf goes down.
Is artificial turf a good fit around a pool?
It is popular around pools because it does not turn to mud or drop clippings into the water. Like any surface, it can get warm in full afternoon sun.
How long does a turf installation take?
This one took four days from bare clay to finished turf. Most residential yards take a few days depending on size, drainage work and access.
Related services
Turf built on a proper baseDrainage solutions →
Grading, French drains and moreWeddington, NC →
Our work in WeddingtonTurf cost factors →
What drives the price of turf
Get a free estimate for your yard
Tell us a little about your project and we will set up a free on-site visit.
- We walk your property and talk through options
- Clear written quote, no pressure
- Owner-operated, fully insured, warranty-backed
Prefer to talk? Call (704) 778-6755
Serving Weddington, Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, Matthews and the Charlotte metro.
