Fix Water Drainage Problems Before They Damage Your Property

Water drainage problems can turn your dream property into a nightmare faster than you might imagine, and after more than two decades in construction, I've seen just about every drainage disaster you can picture. I'm Chad Burnell, founder of Earth in Motion, Inc., and I've spent over 20 years solving water management challenges across Central Texas and beyond. When I started this company back in 2005, I knew that helping property owners protect their investment meant getting water to move where it needs to go—away from foundations, structures, and landscaping. Today, I want to share what I've learned about recognizing, understanding, and fixing drainage issues before they cost you serious money and peace of mind.

Here in Austin and throughout Central Texas, our weather throws everything at us. We get bone-dry summers followed by storms that dump inches of rain in hours. That kind of variability means your drainage system needs to handle extremes, and when it doesn't, you're looking at problems that compound quickly. I've walked properties where homeowners thought they just had a "wet spot" in the yard, only to discover foundation damage that had been brewing for years. The good news? Most drainage problems are fixable when you catch them early and apply the right solution for your specific situation.

The first step in addressing any drainage challenge is recognizing the warning signs. Your property talks to you constantly—you just need to know what to look for. I always tell clients to become water detectives after a good rain. Grab your boots and walk your property while it's still wet or even during a storm if it's safe. You'll see things you'd never notice when everything's dry.

Standing water is the most visible sign something's wrong. If you've got puddles that stick around for more than a day or two after rain, that's your property telling you it can't process water effectively. I've worked on properties in Austin where homeowners had permanent "ponds" they didn't ask for—soggy areas that never dried out completely even during our hot summers. That's not just annoying; it's a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a sign that water isn't moving like it should.

Pay attention to your gutters during rainfall. If they're overflowing like waterfalls, you've got either a blockage or a design problem. I remember working on a home in the hill country where the gutters couldn't handle the roof runoff because they were undersized for the square footage. Every storm sent water cascading right down next to the foundation. By the time the owners called us, they had cracks forming and water seeping into their crawlspace.

Look at your foundation walls, both inside and out. Water stains, dampness, or actual moisture on basement or crawlspace walls tell you that water is finding its way where it absolutely should not be. In my years doing this work, I've seen foundations compromised because water sat against them season after season. Once water gets into concrete and freezes during our occasional cold snaps, it creates cracks that only get worse over time.

Not all drainage problems announce themselves loudly. Sometimes you need to look closer. Soil erosion around your property, especially near the foundation or along slopes, shows that water is running with enough force to carry soil away. That's energy that should be controlled and directed, not allowed to reshape your landscape randomly.

Unpleasant odors around your foundation or in low-lying areas of your yard indicate stagnant water that's not draining. If you're smelling something musty or swampy, water is sitting somewhere it shouldn't. I've diagnosed drainage problems on properties where the homeowner's first complaint was the smell, not visible water. Follow your nose—it'll lead you to the problem area.

Cracks in your foundation, driveway, or patio slabs often trace back to water issues. When soil gets saturated and then dries out repeatedly, it expands and contracts. That movement puts stress on everything built on top of it. I've watched seemingly minor foundation cracks turn into major structural issues because the underlying cause—poor drainage—never got addressed.

Check your landscaping health too. If you've got areas where grass won't grow or plants struggle despite adequate sunlight, you might have either too much water sitting in the soil or soil that's been washed away by runoff. Plants are excellent indicators of drainage problems because they show stress long before humans notice the water issue.

Understanding the "why" behind drainage failures helps you prevent future problems and make smarter decisions about solutions. Drainage isn't just about moving water—it's about understanding how water interacts with your specific property, soil type, and local weather patterns.

Many drainage problems start during construction or renovation. I can't count how many properties I've worked on where the original grading wasn't done correctly. Your yard needs to slope away from structures—that's not negotiable. The standard we work to requires the ground to drop at least two percent over the first ten feet from your foundation. That means for every ten feet you move away from your house, the ground should be roughly two and a half inches lower. When builders don't achieve that slope or when landscaping changes it later, water flows toward your foundation instead of away from it.

Gutters and downspouts get installed wrong more often than you'd think. I've seen gutters pitched backward so water pools instead of flowing to the downspouts. I've seen downspouts that dump water right at the foundation line. Both situations send water exactly where it'll cause maximum damage. Your gutter system isn't just about keeping water off your head when you walk out the door—it's your first line of defense in directing roof runoff away from your structure.

Sometimes drainage problems come from systems that were adequate initially but became overwhelmed by changes around them. Maybe a neighbor built upslope from you and now your property receives their runoff too. Maybe you added a patio or driveway that created more impermeable surface area, concentrating water in ways the original drainage couldn't handle. Urban and suburban development changes how water moves across the landscape, and your property's drainage needs to adapt.

Central Texas gives us quite a range of soil types, and each one handles water differently. We've got everything from clay that holds water like a sponge to rocky caliche that water can't penetrate. When I assess a property, soil composition is one of the first things I evaluate because it determines what solutions will actually work.

Clay-heavy soils are common in the Austin area, and they create specific challenges. Clay particles are tiny and pack together tightly, which means water moves through clay very slowly. When we get heavy rain, clay soil saturates quickly, and then water has nowhere to go except across the surface. If your property has clay soil and poor grading, you're dealing with a double challenge—water can't soak in, and it's not flowing away effectively.

Compacted soil causes similar problems even if it didn't start as clay. When heavy equipment runs over your yard during construction, or when foot traffic repeatedly compresses the same areas, soil particles get pressed together so tightly that water can't infiltrate. I've worked on properties where the lawn was basically a water-repellent mat because the soil underneath was compacted to near-concrete hardness.

Rocky soil and caliche present different issues. Water can't penetrate these formations easily, which means it flows across the surface rapidly—sometimes with enough force to cause serious erosion. In hill country properties around Austin, I've seen runoff from rocky slopes concentrate into channels that carved away soil and undermined structures downslope.

Here's something I've learned from experience: the most common cause of drainage failures isn't design flaws or soil issues—it's neglect. Drainage systems need regular maintenance to function properly, and most property owners don't think about them until something goes wrong.

Gutters fill with leaves, pine needles, shingle grit, and debris. When they're clogged, they can't move water, period. I've climbed ladders on countless properties where gutters were so full of decomposed organic matter that they'd essentially become planters. Water overflowing from clogged gutters doesn't just go away—it goes straight down next to your foundation.

Underground drainage pipes fail over time too. Tree roots seek out water sources, and even tiny cracks in pipes attract roots that grow into massive blockages. I've used inspection cameras to look inside underground drainage lines and found roots so thick they'd completely stopped water flow. By that point, water was backing up and finding new paths—usually ones that caused property damage.

The drainage swales and channels that direct surface water get filled in over time by soil erosion, blown debris, and settling. A swale that was six inches deep when first installed might be only two inches deep after several seasons. That's not enough difference to move water effectively, so it starts spreading and pooling instead.

I wish I could tell you that drainage problems stay small and manageable if you just ignore them, but that's not how physics works. Water is persistent, and it will find weakness in your property's defenses. The longer you wait to address drainage issues, the more damage accumulates and the more expensive repairs become.

Your foundation is literally what everything else sits on, and water is its worst enemy. When water saturates soil around and under your foundation, several bad things happen. First, that water can seep through even small cracks or porous areas in the concrete, creating moisture problems inside your home or building. I've worked on properties where persistent water intrusion led to mold growth that required extensive remediation.

Second, saturated soil loses its load-bearing capacity. When the ground underneath your foundation becomes waterlogged, it can shift, settle, or compress unevenly. That movement shows up as cracks in foundation walls, gaps between walls and ceiling, doors that won't close properly, and floors that slope or sag. I've seen foundations that cracked so severely they needed structural reinforcement costing tens of thousands of dollars—all because water drainage wasn't managed properly.

In Central Texas, we have soils that expand when wet and contract when dry. Clay soils are particularly notorious for this. When water saturates the soil on one side of your foundation but not the other, you get differential movement—one part of the foundation rises or falls more than another part. That's when you see diagonal cracks in walls, windows that won't open, and other signs of structural stress.

Beyond structural issues, poor drainage tears up your landscaping and outdoor spaces. Erosion from uncontrolled runoff carries away topsoil you probably paid good money to have spread. I've seen entire planting beds washed away and mulch spread across driveways after heavy storms. That's not just ugly—you're losing the soil amendments and landscaping investments you've made.

Standing water kills plants that aren't adapted to wetland conditions. Most of the ornamental plants, grass varieties, and trees we use in landscaping need well-drained soil. When their roots sit in saturated soil for extended periods, they suffocate, rot, and die. I've watched beautiful landscapes turn into muddy patches with dying vegetation because drainage wasn't adequate.

Hardscaping deteriorates faster too. Patios, walkways, and driveways subjected to standing water or constant runoff develop cracks, settling, and surface damage. Water gets into tiny cracks, freezes during cold weather, and expands those cracks into larger breaks. Over several years, this cycle can destroy stonework and concrete that should have lasted decades.

Drainage problems create health hazards you might not immediately connect to water. Standing water breeds mosquitoes—we all know that here in Texas. But chronic moisture also attracts termites, carpenter ants, and other pests that damage structures. I've referred clients to pest control specialists after solving their drainage issues because the damage was already done.

Mold and mildew thrive in damp conditions. If water intrusion from poor exterior drainage creates moisture inside your home or building, you're looking at potential respiratory health issues for occupants. Some molds produce toxins that cause serious health problems. I take this seriously because I've seen families have to temporarily relocate while mold remediation was completed—all traced back to drainage failures that let water reach interior spaces.

Your property simply becomes less usable when drainage is poor. Nobody wants to walk through a soggy yard or deal with mud tracked into their home. Areas that should be functional outdoor living spaces turn into places you avoid. I've helped homeowners reclaim yards they'd basically abandoned because drainage made them unusable for large parts of the year.

Here's where my experience really comes into play. There's no single solution that fixes every drainage problem. What works perfectly on one property might be completely wrong for the property next door. The key is matching the solution to your specific situation, considering factors like soil type, topography, water volume, and your long-term property plans.

The simplest and most fundamental drainage solution is proper grading. At Earth in Motion, we've regraded hundreds of properties to create the right slope away from structures. This isn't just pushing some dirt around—it requires understanding how water flows, where it's coming from, and where you want it to go. We typically establish a minimum two percent slope for the first ten feet from any structure, then continue managing the slope throughout the property to guide water to appropriate discharge points.

Sometimes regrading alone solves the problem. I've worked on properties where creating the correct slope eliminated standing water issues completely. Other times, regrading is the foundation for additional drainage improvements. Either way, you can't skip this step. No amount of pipes or drains will overcome fundamentally poor grading.

Surface swales—shallow channels designed to carry water—work beautifully when designed and installed correctly. I've built swales that move surprising volumes of water while looking like natural landscape features. The key is getting the depth, width, and slope right so water flows at a rate that prevents erosion but still moves efficiently. We often line swales with erosion-resistant grasses or attractive river rock depending on the property's aesthetic and the water volume involved.

When surface solutions aren't enough or when you want to move water without visible channels, subsurface drainage becomes the answer. French drains are probably the most common subsurface drainage system I install. Despite the fancy name, they're conceptually simple: a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects and moves water underground. But the design matters enormously.

A French drain is only as good as its outlet. I've seen countless French drains that were installed without adequate thought about where the water goes when it exits the pipe. If you're moving water from one problem area only to dump it in another problem area, you haven't solved anything. At Earth in Motion, we design complete drainage paths from collection points to final discharge locations that won't create new issues.

The depth and slope of French drains matter too. Too shallow and they don't intercept water effectively. Too deep and you're creating unnecessary expense and potentially hitting utilities or bedrock. The slope has to be sufficient to move water by gravity—typically at least a quarter inch per foot—or you just have an underground water storage system instead of a drainage system.

For properties with severe drainage challenges, we sometimes install catch basins connected to underground pipe networks. These systems intercept surface water at multiple points and route it through solid pipes to discharge areas. They're more complex than French drains and require more investment, but they can handle higher water volumes and keep your landscape looking clean without visible drainage channels.

I mentioned earlier that gutter problems are extremely common, so let's talk about solutions. First, gutters need to be properly sized for your roof area. The bigger the roof, the more water you're collecting, and the larger your gutters need to be to handle it. Standard residential gutters come in five-inch and six-inch widths—many older homes have five-inch gutters that are simply too small for the roof area.

Gutters must slope toward downspouts. This seems obvious, but I've adjusted the pitch on countless gutter systems that were installed level or even pitched backward. Water won't move uphill, so improper slope means water sits in gutters instead of flowing to the downspouts where it can be directed away from your foundation.

Downspout management is critical. A downspout that dumps water right at your foundation line is worse than useless—it's concentrating all that roof runoff at the exact point you most need to keep dry. Downspout extensions that carry water at least four to six feet away from the foundation are essential. Even better is connecting downspouts to underground pipes that route water to appropriate discharge points far from structures.

Gutter guards can reduce maintenance needs, but they're not magic. I've seen every type of gutter protection system, and none of them eliminate maintenance completely. They reduce the frequency of cleaning, but you still need to inspect and maintain your gutters regularly. Debris can build up on top of guards, and some types can actually create ice dams or water overflow problems if not properly matched to your roof type and local weather conditions.

One approach to drainage that's gained popularity involves managing water where it falls rather than just moving it somewhere else. Permeable paving and infiltration systems allow water to soak into the ground instead of running off. This works well when you have soil that can accept water at a reasonable rate and when you're not dealing with contaminated runoff that you want to keep away from groundwater.

I've installed permeable pavers for patios, walkways, and even low-traffic driveways. These systems use specially designed pavers with gaps between them or porous materials that let water pass through into a gravel base below. Done right, they eliminate standing water on the surface and reduce the total volume of runoff your property generates.

The challenge with permeable systems is maintenance. Over time, the gaps between pavers or the porous surfaces can clog with sediment and organic matter. When that happens, they lose their permeability and start acting like regular impermeable surfaces. Regular cleaning and occasional recharging of the base material keeps them functioning long-term. These systems work best as part of a comprehensive drainage plan rather than as your only drainage solution.

Working in Central Texas for over twenty years has taught me that our area presents specific drainage challenges you need to understand. We're not dealing with steady, gentle rainfall like you might see in other parts of the country. We get drought followed by deluge, and our soil and geology respond to that in particular ways.

Central Texas is flash flood country. We can get several inches of rain in a couple of hours when storms stall over the area. I've worked through enough of these events to know that drainage systems here need to handle intense, short-duration rainfall, not just steady rain. A drainage system designed for gentle rainfall will be completely overwhelmed when we get one of our gully-washers.

This means we size drainage components more conservatively in this area. Gutters need to handle peak flow rates, not average rainfall. Drainage pipes need capacity for the water volume you get during extreme events, not typical events. Properties on slopes or in low-lying areas need special attention because water moves fast and concentrates quickly during intense storms.

Much of the Austin area sits on top of expansive clay soils that cause real headaches for drainage and foundations. These clays can absorb tremendous amounts of water and swell, then shrink dramatically when they dry out. That expansion and contraction cycle puts enormous stress on foundations and underground utilities.

When I'm working on drainage solutions for properties with expansive clays, the goal isn't just moving water away—it's maintaining relatively consistent moisture levels in the soil around foundations. Extreme wet-dry cycles are what cause the most damage. Sometimes that means designing drainage that removes excess water during wet periods but also involves landscape irrigation strategies that prevent soil from drying completely during droughts.

Properties in the hill country around Austin face different challenges. Many sit on slopes with limestone bedrock close to the surface. Water runs off these properties quickly because it can't infiltrate the rock. Runoff concentrates and flows with erosive force. I've designed terracing and retention systems that slow water down and spread it out before it gains enough momentum to cause damage.

Limestone rock also creates drainage pathways through natural fissures and caves. Sometimes water disappears into the ground rapidly, which seems like good drainage until you realize it might be creating cavities that can lead to sinkholes. We have to understand not just surface drainage but also how water moves through the subsurface geology.

When property owners contact Earth in Motion about drainage issues, we follow a process I've refined over two decades. This isn't guesswork—it's systematic problem-solving based on proven engineering principles and extensive field experience.

We start with a thorough site evaluation. I personally visit every project because there's no substitute for walking the property and observing water behavior firsthand. I look at existing grading, note where water collects or runs, check gutters and downspouts, examine soil conditions, and identify any existing drainage infrastructure. If you've got standing water, I want to know where it is, how deep it gets, and how long it persists after rainfall.

I'll ask you about your property's history. When did you first notice problems? Has anything changed recently—new construction nearby, landscape modifications, or additions to your structures? Understanding the timeline helps identify what triggered the drainage failure. Sometimes drainage was adequate until something changed the equation.

We evaluate your property in the context of the surrounding area too. What's upslope from you? Where does water naturally want to flow based on the local topography? Are there municipal drainage systems we need to tie into? The drainage solution for your property has to account for the bigger picture of how water moves through your neighborhood or rural area.

After assessment, we design a drainage solution tailored to your property. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Your property's soil type, slope, water volume, existing landscaping, structures, and your long-term plans all factor into the design. We also consider your budget and discuss options that balance effectiveness with investment level.

Sometimes the solution is relatively straightforward—regrade problem areas and extend downspouts. Other times we're designing comprehensive systems with multiple components working together. We might combine surface grading changes with French drains, install catch basins in low spots, and route everything to a common discharge point. Complex properties might need retention areas that temporarily hold water during peak flow and release it gradually.

I'll show you why we're recommending specific solutions and what each component accomplishes. This is your property and your investment, so you should understand how the system works. We'll discuss maintenance requirements too because any drainage system needs some level of ongoing attention to keep functioning properly.

Design is only half the battle—execution matters just as much. Earth in Motion has spent years building a reputation for quality installation work because we don't cut corners. Drainage systems need to be built right the first time, or you're just creating expensive temporary fixes.

When we excavate for drainage systems, we do it precisely. French drain trenches need to be the right depth and slope throughout their length. Pipes need to be properly bedded and backfilled so they don't settle or break over time. Grading work requires proper compaction in layers so the soil doesn't settle and undo the slope we've created.

We use quality materials appropriate for your specific application. Not all drainage pipe is created equal, and I've seen too many systems fail because someone used the cheapest materials available. The pipes, gravel, filter fabric, and other components need to match the water volumes, soil conditions, and longevity expectations for your property.

Before we consider a project finished, we verify that the drainage system performs as designed. Whenever possible, we test during actual rainfall. There's no substitute for seeing the system handle real water under real conditions. We check that water flows to collection points, moves through pipes at expected rates, and discharges at appropriate locations without creating new problems.

We'll walk you through how your new drainage system works and point out things you should monitor. We want you to understand what normal performance looks like so you can spot potential issues early if they develop. We also provide guidance on maintenance—what you need to do and when, what you might be able to handle yourself, and what might need professional attention.

Proper drainage is fundamental to protecting everything else you invest in your property. At Earth in Motion, we've built custom ponds, installed landscape features, and worked on construction projects where drainage integration made the difference between success and eventual failure. Everything we build sits on or in the ground, and that ground needs to manage water correctly.

I mentioned that I have a particular passion for building custom ponds, and drainage plays a crucial role in pond success. A pond needs to collect water, but you also need to manage overflow and prevent excessive sediment from washing into your pond during storms. I've designed pond projects where the surrounding drainage system was as important as the pond itself.

Properties with ponds need drainage that protects the pond from becoming a sediment trap. Uncontrolled runoff carrying soil and debris will fill your pond over time, reducing depth and water quality. We design drainage and erosion control systems that slow water down, filter out sediment, and deliver cleaner water to pond inlets. This keeps your pond functional and attractive for decades instead of requiring expensive dredging after a few years.

Every property improvement you make—landscaping, hardscaping, additions, or outbuildings—needs to integrate with your drainage system. I've seen beautiful outdoor living spaces built without considering how they'd affect water flow, and within a few years they were showing damage from drainage problems that could have been prevented with proper planning.

When we work on comprehensive property projects, drainage is always part of the conversation from the beginning. Where will water go when it hits your new patio? How will that addition's roof runoff be managed? Will regrading for your retaining wall affect how water moves through your yard? These questions need answers during design, not after problems develop.

Property owners naturally want to know about costs, so let me explain what factors influence what you'll invest in drainage solutions. I won't give you specific numbers because every project is genuinely different, but understanding the cost drivers helps you budget and make informed decisions.

The single biggest factor affecting cost is simply how much work needs to be done. Extending a couple of downspouts and adjusting some grading around your foundation is a smaller project than installing a comprehensive system with multiple French drains, catch basins, and underground piping throughout your property. More extensive problems require more extensive solutions.

Complexity adds cost beyond just size. Properties with challenging access for equipment, extensive existing landscaping that needs to be worked around, or difficult soil conditions all require more labor and time. A straightforward project on flat, accessible land with workable soil costs less than a project on a steep hillside with rocky soil and existing hardscaping that can't be disturbed.

Your property's existing conditions affect what we need to do before we can even start installing drainage improvements. If we need to remove trees, clear dense vegetation, or demolish failed existing drainage systems, that prep work factors into the project. Properties where we need to locate and avoid underground utilities require more careful excavation.

Soil conditions influence costs significantly. Clay soils are harder to excavate and work than sandy soils. Rocky ground might require specialized equipment. In some cases, we need to import better soil materials or export unsuitable material from the site. When we hit unexpected conditions during excavation—buried debris, contaminated soil, or unmarked utilities—that affects project scope and cost.

Drainage solutions use various materials with different cost points. Basic surface grading might need minimal materials—mainly labor and equipment. French drains require gravel, pipe, and filter fabric. More complex systems need catch basins, grates, fittings, and longer pipe runs. Higher-quality materials that last longer and perform better cost more upfront but deliver better long-term value.

The specific system type we design for your property influences material costs. Surface solutions like swales and grading modifications use different materials than subsurface systems. Permeable paving costs more than conventional paving but provides drainage benefits. Custom concrete channels or specialty drainage products cost more than standard components but might be necessary for your specific situation.

When evaluating drainage solutions, consider what you're protecting. Foundation repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Landscape replacement after erosion damage adds up quickly. Mold remediation from water intrusion gets expensive. A properly designed and installed drainage system that prevents these problems delivers value far beyond its initial cost.

We approach every project with the goal of solving your drainage problems comprehensively, not just slapping a temporary fix on symptoms. That sometimes means investing more initially to build a system that handles current problems and prevents future issues as your property and the surrounding area continue to develop. Long-term thinking saves money and headaches over the property's lifetime.

If you're reading this because you've noticed drainage warning signs on your property, I encourage you to act before small problems become expensive disasters. Water damage compounds over time, and early intervention is always more cost-effective than waiting until you're dealing with foundation failure or extensive erosion.

Start by becoming a better observer of how water moves on your property. Walk your land during and after storms. Take photos of problem areas when they're wet so you can show professionals exactly what's happening. Note where gutters overflow, where puddles persist, and where erosion is occurring. This information helps us diagnose problems accurately and design effective solutions.

Consider your property's drainage needs in the context of your long-term plans. If you're thinking about adding structures, installing landscaping, or making other improvements, integrate drainage planning into those projects from the beginning. It's much easier and less expensive to build drainage right into new work than to retrofit solutions later.

Don't ignore warning signs hoping they'll resolve themselves. Water always wins eventually. That wet spot in your yard isn't going to disappear on its own, and those foundation cracks will only grow. The cost of addressing drainage problems increases dramatically the longer you wait because the damage accumulates and becomes more extensive.

I've been doing this work for more than twenty years, and I can tell you that experience matters enormously in drainage work. Every property teaches you something new, and the solutions that work beautifully on one site might be completely wrong for another. Understanding why certain solutions work, not just how to install them, separates adequate drainage work from drainage systems that solve problems permanently.

At Earth in Motion, we've worked through hundreds of drainage projects across Central Texas. We've handled residential properties from small urban lots to large rural acreages. We've solved drainage problems for commercial properties, parks, and specialty projects like my custom pond installations. That breadth of experience means we've probably already solved problems similar to yours, and we understand what works in our local soil and climate conditions.

My background as a military veteran taught me the importance of mission planning, attention to detail, and getting things right the first time. Those principles carry through everything we do at Earth in Motion. When we take on your drainage project, you're getting that military-grade commitment to quality and problem-solving. We're certified as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business because that veteran mindset isn't just history for me—it's how we operate every day.

Water drainage doesn't have to be a mystery or a source of constant worry about your property. With proper assessment, appropriate solutions, and quality installation, you can transform drainage from a problem into a managed system that protects your investment. The key is working with professionals who understand both the science of how water moves and the practical realities of working with different properties, soils, and conditions.

At Earth in Motion, we're committed to providing drainage solutions that actually solve problems, not just temporary fixes that look good for a season or two. We take the time to understand your property, explain what's needed and why, and build systems that perform as designed for years to come. That commitment to quality and customer education has built our reputation since 2005, and it's why property owners throughout the Austin area trust us with their drainage challenges.

Your property is probably your largest investment, and protecting it from water damage should be a priority. Whether you're dealing with standing water, foundation concerns, erosion, or just want to prevent future problems before they start, proper drainage management makes the difference between a property that maintains its value and beauty versus one that deteriorates over time.

I've watched drainage problems stress homeowners and damage beautiful properties throughout my career, and I've also seen the relief and satisfaction when those problems get solved correctly. There's real value in knowing your property is protected from water damage, that your foundation is secure, and that your landscaping will thrive instead of drowning or washing away. That peace of mind comes from addressing water drainage problems with professional expertise and proven solutions.

The clearest indicators are standing water that persists for more than a day or two after rainfall, overflowing gutters during storms, and water stains or dampness on foundation walls. I've worked on countless properties in Austin where homeowners initially noticed these obvious signs but discovered the problems had been developing for years. Other red flags include soggy areas in your yard that never fully dry out, foundation cracks, soil erosion around your property, and unpleasant odors near low-lying areas. During my twenty years with Earth in Motion, I've learned that your property talks to you constantly—you just need to walk it during or right after rain to see what it's telling you about water movement.

Most drainage failures stem from three main causes: inadequate original grading, maintenance neglect, or changes to the property or surrounding area. Here in Central Texas, I've seen properties where the initial grading wasn't done correctly—your yard must slope at least two percent away from structures for the first ten feet. Poor maintenance is equally common; clogged gutters, blocked drainage pipes from tree roots, and filled-in swales all cause systems to fail. Sometimes changes trigger problems—maybe a neighbor built upslope and now your property receives their runoff, or you added impermeable surfaces like patios that concentrate water in ways the original drainage couldn't handle. Our expansive clay soils and intense rainfall events make these issues more severe than in other regions.

Water damage compounds rapidly and gets expensive fast. Foundation damage is the most serious concern—when water saturates soil around your foundation, it can cause settling, cracking, and structural movement that costs tens of thousands to repair. I've worked on Austin-area properties where persistent water intrusion led to mold growth requiring extensive remediation. Beyond structural issues, poor drainage destroys landscaping through erosion, kills plants that can't tolerate saturated soil, and creates health hazards by breeding mosquitoes and attracting pests. Your property becomes less usable when drainage fails—nobody wants to walk through a soggy yard or deal with mud tracked inside. The longer you wait, the more damage accumulates and the more expensive solutions become.

At Earth in Motion, I personally evaluate every property because there's no substitute for walking the land and observing water behavior firsthand. I examine existing grading, identify where water collects or runs, check all gutters and downspouts, assess soil conditions, and note any existing drainage infrastructure. Your property's history matters too—when problems started, what changed recently, and how surrounding development affects water flow. Central Texas presents unique challenges with our flash flood potential, expansive clay soils, and limestone bedrock in hill country areas. After thorough assessment, I design solutions tailored specifically to your soil type, slope, water volume, existing structures, and long-term plans. Sometimes simple grading and downspout extensions solve everything; other properties need comprehensive systems with French drains, catch basins, and underground piping working together.

Project scope and complexity are the biggest cost drivers—extending downspouts and adjusting foundation grading is less extensive than installing comprehensive drainage systems throughout your property. Site-specific conditions significantly affect costs: difficult equipment access, extensive existing landscaping to work around, challenging soil conditions like our local clay or rocky caliche, and prep work needed to remove failed systems or clear vegetation. Material requirements vary dramatically between surface solutions like swales versus subsurface systems requiring pipes, gravel, and catch basins. Quality materials that perform reliably long-term cost more upfront but deliver better value. Remember, you're protecting your largest investment—foundation repairs, mold remediation, and landscape replacement from water damage cost far more than properly designed drainage systems that prevent these problems from developing.