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Low infill is why your turf feels hard and drains slow
Infill is the sandy layer around the base of the blades. It does the quiet work: it gives the turf its springy feel, holds the fibers upright, carries water down to the drainage layer, and (with pet-specific infill) absorbs ammonia.
It does not stay put. Foot traffic, rain, and St. George sun pull it down over the years. When it thins out, the turf turns hard underfoot, water pools instead of draining, the blades mat flat, and pet odor climbs because there is less mineral left to absorb it.
What infill actually does
Silica sand vs ZeoFill: the real difference
We measure your current infill depth in multiple zones first, then top up with whichever material fits your yard. The choice comes down to whether you have pets.
- Silica sand The industry standard: affordable, drains well, holds fibers upright. For homes without pets it is the right call and keeps turf in great shape for years.
- ZeoFill for pet homes A volcanic mineral infill that does everything silica does, plus it chemically absorbs ammonia on contact, cutting baseline urine odor between cleanings.
- Measured, not guessed We probe the depth, calculate the exact quantity, and recommend the cheapest effective option. Our default for pet households is switching to ZeoFill, which means less frequent Spotless Odor Cure treatment.
How we top up artificial turf infill
Four steps, every visit, the same way each time. We assess whether you need a simple top-up or a full replacement during the visit and recommend the cheapest effective option.
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Measure depth
We probe multiple zones to find the current infill depth before we touch anything.
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Pick material
Silica sand for no-pet homes, ZeoFill for pet households. We top up with whichever you prefer.
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Apply and brush
We spread the infill evenly across the full surface, then power-brush it down into the fibers to the proper depth.
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Drainage test
We water-test each zone and adjust as needed so the turf drains the way it should.
Or free with The Works
Infill top-up covers material and labor, and most yards need just 1 to 4 bags. An odor-control top-up is included in The Works deep-clean package at no extra cost, and Always Spotless members save up to 20% on every visit. Full replacement (removing old infill before adding new) is rare, only needed after severe contamination or damage.
What's included
A measured, full-surface top-up, not a quick scatter of sand
Included in every top-up
- Depth measurement probed across multiple zones
- Your choice of silica sand or odor-absorbing ZeoFill
- Exact quantity calculated so you only pay for the bags you use
- Even distribution power-brushed down to the proper depth
- A water-test of multiple zones so the turf drains the way it should
When a full replacement is needed instead
- Severe pet-urine contamination the infill can no longer absorb
- Physical damage to the backing or drainage layer
- Rare cases only, quoted separately after an on-site look
What people ask about infill
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Infill is the granular material between the turf fibers. It keeps the blades standing up, provides cushion and cooling, and allows water to drain properly. Without enough infill, your turf feels rock-hard, drains poorly, and fibers flatten fast. Infill is the single most important factor in how long your turf lasts.
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Stand on the turf barefoot. If it feels hard underneath, infill is low. If fibers are splaying sideways instead of standing up, infill is low. If water is pooling after rain or sprinkler runs, infill is low. Easiest test: push a finger into the turf at the fiber base; you should feel granular resistance, not hard backing.
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Silica sand is the standard infill: affordable, effective, good drainage. ZeoFill is a volcanic mineral that absorbs ammonia and reduces pet odor on contact, which makes it a much better choice for homes with dogs. It costs more per bag but pays for itself on odor control alone. We recommend silica for no-pet homes and ZeoFill for pet households.
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That depends on current depth. We measure the existing infill during the visit and calculate what is needed to reach the recommended 1.5 to 2 inch depth. Most residential yards need 1 to 4 bags, which runs $49 per bag at our standard rate.
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For a top-up, no. We power brush first to redistribute the existing infill, then add new on top. For a full replacement (rare, usually after severe contamination or major damage), we vacuum out old infill first. Most yards only need a top-up.
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