Water sitting on the old astro
With no effective drainage under the old artificial grass, rainwater had nowhere to go and sat on the surface. Fixing it meant going back to the ground.
Case study · Streatham SW16 · January 2026
Nursery artificial grass and drainage in Streatham
The outdoor play area at a children's nursery in Streatham had a serious drainage problem: water sat on top of the old artificial grass. For our client Brian, we dug the whole area out with a digger, installed 55m of French drains, built a 300mm Type 3 sub-base, laid 45m³ of granite dust, and supplied and fitted 220m² of new artificial grass. Done through a very wet January over four weeks, for £22,000 all in, including VAT.
- Location
- Streatham, SW16
- Client
- Brian (children's nursery)
- Price
- £22,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 4 weeks (wet January)
- Artificial grass
- 220m², supplied and fitted
- Drainage
- 55m French drains + 300mm Type 3
Where we started
The brief
Our client Brian came to us about a children's nursery in Streatham with a large outdoor play area covered in artificial grass. The old grass had a drainage problem: after rain, water sat on top of it, leaving the play area wet and unusable.
Replacing the grass alone would not have fixed it. The problem was underneath, so the whole area needed digging out and rebuilding with proper drainage and a free-draining base before new grass went down. It is a good example of the artificial grass in Streatham and French drains in Streatham we install.
Before & after
The same play area, before and after
The tricky parts
What went into it
Step by step
How we built it
Digging out the old play area
The old artificial grass and base were dug out with a digger and the waste removed.
Digger on site at the Streatham nursery 
Spoil from the dig-out being cleared Installing the French drains
Around 55m of French drains were installed to carry water away from under the play area.
Play area dug out ready for the drainage 
Drainage works under the nursery play area 300mm Type 3 sub-base
A 300mm layer of free-draining Type 3 stone was laid and compacted across the whole area.
Type 3 stone being spread across the play area 
Free-draining Type 3 sub-base in place 45m³ of granite dust, levelled
45m³ of granite dust was spread and levelled on top of the Type 3 to give a smooth bed for the grass.
Levelled granite dust laying course across the play area 
Granite dust bed ready for the artificial grass Laying 220m² of artificial grass
220m² of new artificial grass was supplied, rolled out, joined and fitted across the play area.
Rolling out the new artificial grass 
New artificial grass around the nursery play equipment
The finished work
The finished play area
Budget
What it cost
This project came to £22,000 including VAT, covering digging out the old artificial grass and base, around 55m of French drains, a 300mm Type 3 sub-base, 45m³ of granite dust and 220m² of new artificial grass, supplied and fitted. That is roughly £100 per m² for a complete rebuild with drainage. See our artificial grass in Streatham page for more options.
Get a free quote- Price
- £22,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 4 weeks (wet January)
- Artificial grass
- 220m², supplied and fitted
Questions
About artificial grass for nurseries and drainage
Thinking about something similar? These are the questions we hear most.
How much does nursery artificial grass with drainage cost in Streatham?
This children's nursery play area in Streatham SW16 cost £22,000 including VAT for 220m², including a full dig-out, 55m of French drains, a 300mm Type 3 sub-base, 45m³ of granite dust and new artificial grass. That is roughly £100 per m² for a complete rebuild.
Why was water sitting on the old artificial grass?
Artificial grass needs a free-draining base underneath. Where it is laid on a poor or compacted base, rainwater has nowhere to go and sits on top. The fix is to dig out and rebuild the base with drainage.
What is Type 3 sub-base?
Type 3 is an open-graded crushed stone with fewer fines than Type 1, so water passes straight through it. A 300mm layer makes a strong, free-draining base for artificial grass.
Why use granite dust under artificial grass?
Granite dust compacts into a smooth, firm and level laying course on top of the sub-base, while still letting water drain through, which is why it is the standard bed for artificial grass.
Do you install artificial grass for nurseries and schools?
Yes. We work for nurseries and other commercial clients as well as homeowners, planning the work around the site and laying grass suited to heavy use.
Can you work on artificial grass in winter?
Yes, but wet weather slows the groundwork, because the base must not be laid in waterlogged conditions. This January job took four weeks to do properly.
Do you install artificial grass near Streatham?
Yes, including Norbury, Tulse Hill, Mitcham and Sutton. See all our landscaping in Streatham.
Free survey
Is water sitting on your artificial grass?
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020 3633 5529 info@finelandscape.co.ukFine Landscape Ltd
31 Tylecroft Road, Norbury, London SW16 4BL
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