Dirt work & land management
Yard & Site Drainage Solutions in the Livingston Area
Swales, grading corrections and French drains that carry rainwater away from your house, outbuildings and driveway instead of letting it pool.
Moving water where it belongs
Standing water in the yard, a soggy strip along the foundation or a driveway that washes out every storm are all signs that rainwater is not leaving your property the way it should. Left alone, those problems tend to get worse.
Onalaska Builders plans and builds drainage fixes with our own crews, both on new building sites and around established homes. Because we also handle grading and foundation work, we look at drainage as part of the whole site.
Our drainage work includes:
- Drainage swales to channel surface water
- Grading corrections around structures
- French drains
- Drainage planning on new building sites
Common problem
Why does water pool around my house?
Water follows the lay of the land. When it collects near a house, the cause is usually one or more of these:
- Ground that slopes toward the house, often because soil has settled since the home was built.
- Low spots in the yard with nowhere for water to go.
- Roof runoff dumping next to the foundation from gutters and downspouts. See our gutter services.
- Water arriving from uphill, such as a neighboring property, road or driveway.
- Soil that drains slowly, so water sits on the surface after heavy rain.
Finding which of these is happening is the first step, because the right fix depends on where the water is coming from and where it can safely go.
Choosing a fix
French drain or swale: which do you need?
Both move water, but they work differently.
- A swale is a shallow, shaped channel in the ground that guides surface water along a path and away from where it causes trouble. Swales suit open ground where you can shape the surface and the water has somewhere to go.
- A French drain is a gravel-filled trench, usually with a perforated pipe, that collects water and carries it away below the surface. French drains suit spots where you cannot reshape the surface, or where water is soaking into the ground rather than running across it.
- Regrading reshapes the soil itself so the ground falls away from the house. It is often the simplest fix when the problem is soil that slopes the wrong way.
Many properties need a combination: regrading close to the house, with a swale or drain to carry the water the rest of the way.
Protecting your home
Drainage and your foundation
Water that repeatedly collects against a foundation keeps the soil beneath it wet, and soil that swings between very wet and very dry can shift. Good drainage is one of the most practical ways to protect a foundation over the long term.
If you are already seeing cracks, sticking doors or other warning signs, have the foundation looked at as well. Our foundation repair page covers what to watch for.
On a new build, drainage is easiest to handle before the foundation goes in, when the lot is still open and the house pad can be raised and shaped to shed water.
Lake and timber country
Drainage around Livingston and Lake Livingston
Heavy rain is a regular part of life in East Texas, and properties across Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties range from high, well-drained ground to low lots that hold water. Where water can be directed also depends on the property, including neighboring land, roads and any work near the lake shoreline, so each fix is worked out for the specific site.
We handle drainage work within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
More dirt work & land management services
Related services
Questions
Site Drainage questions
Why does water pool in my yard?
Usually because the ground slopes toward the problem area, there are low spots with no outlet, roof runoff is landing in the wrong place, water is arriving from uphill, or the soil drains slowly. The fix depends on which of these is happening.
What is the difference between a French drain and a swale?
A swale is a shallow, shaped channel that guides surface water away. A French drain is a gravel-filled trench, usually with a perforated pipe, that collects water and carries it away below the surface. Many properties use a combination along with regrading.
Can poor drainage affect my foundation?
It can. Water that keeps collecting against a foundation keeps the soil beneath it wet, and soil that swings between wet and dry can shift. Directing water away from the house is one of the most practical ways to protect a foundation.
How do I get an estimate for drainage work?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code, where the water collects and, if you can, when it happens, such as during heavy rain or for days afterward.
Get started
Tired of standing water?
Tell us where the water collects and where the property is. Send the form or give us a call.