Surface Systems
Drainage & Sub-base
We build the engineered drainage and sub-base beneath courts, pitches and tracks across the UAE, the hidden foundation that keeps a surface level, stable and dry.
Every good sports surface starts underground. The sub-base and drainage are the foundation that carries the surface, holds it level, and clears water so the court or pitch is usable soon after rain or washing. Get this wrong and no surface above it will perform for long; get it right and the finished surface lasts.
We build the base as an engineered layer: excavation and preparation, compacted aggregate to the correct levels and falls, and drainage designed to move water away efficiently. In the UAE the priority is coping with occasional heavy downpours and routine wash-downs, so falls and free-draining materials matter.
This work is often invisible in the finished result, which is exactly why it is worth doing properly. We build the base as part of a complete system with the surface above, so the levels, falls and drainage all work together for a court, pitch or track that stays true and dry.
Applications
Where drainage and sub-base works best
| Application | Indoor / outdoor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under courts | Outdoor | Level, drained base for hard courts |
| Under pitches | Outdoor | Free-draining base for turf |
| Under running tracks | Outdoor | Precise levels and falls |
| Refurbishment | Outdoor | Correcting drainage on failing surfaces |
The build-up
How drainage and sub-base is built
- Turf pile. UV-stabilised synthetic fibres tufted to the required pile height.
- Performance infill. Silica sand and rubber granules that support the fibres and add grip.
- Shock pad. Elastic layer for player comfort and consistent ball behaviour.
- Compacted base. Engineered aggregate base laid to precise levels and falls.
- Drainage sub-base. Free-draining sub-base and drainage to clear occasional heavy rain.
Performance
Specifications and performance
| Works | Excavation, compaction, aggregate, drainage |
|---|---|
| Levels and falls | Set precisely for the surface above |
| Materials | Free-draining aggregate and drainage |
| Purpose | Support, stability and rapid drainage |
| Built with | The surface as one system |
| Refurbishment | Diagnosing and correcting drainage faults |
UAE conditions
UV, heat and drainage
In the UAE the base is designed around occasional heavy rain and routine wash-downs rather than constant rainfall, so correct falls and free-draining materials let a surface clear water fast and return to use quickly. Poor drainage is a common cause of surface failure we are called to correct.
Upkeep
Maintenance and lifespan
A correctly built sub-base and drainage system needs no routine maintenance itself, since it is protected beneath the surface. Where drainage problems appear on an existing court, they usually trace back to the base, and we diagnose and correct them as part of refurbishment.
Related sports solutions
Questions
drainage and sub-base FAQs
Why does the sub-base matter so much?
Because it carries and levels the surface and clears water. A surface laid over a poor base will settle, hold water and fail early, whatever its quality. A properly engineered base is what lets the finished court, pitch or track perform and last.
How is drainage handled in the UAE?
The design focuses on occasional heavy downpours and routine wash-downs rather than constant rain. We build correct falls and use free-draining materials and drainage so water clears quickly and the surface returns to use soon after.
Can you fix a court that holds water?
Often, yes, but it depends on the cause. Water problems usually trace to the base or falls, so we investigate before promising a fix. Where the base is at fault we correct it as part of refurbishment, rather than just recoating the surface.
Do you build the base and the surface together?
Yes, and that is the right way to do it. When the base and surface are designed and built as one system, the levels, falls and drainage all work together, which avoids the mismatches that cause surfaces to fail prematurely.
drainage and sub-base datasheet
Request the specification sheet and colour options for this system and we will send them across.