How to Fix Drainage Issues in Your Yard Before They Wreck Your Landscape

Have you noticed puddles that won’t go away after rain? Is water pooling near your home’s foundation or making parts of your yard unusable?

If so, you’re likely dealing with drainage issues—a common but serious problem for many homeowners in Texas. Left untreated, poor yard drainage can cause foundation damage, dead grass, mold, and even mosquito infestations.

At Salas Outdoors, we’ve helped countless DFW homeowners identify and solve their outdoor water problems. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to fix drainage issues in your yard, including common causes, signs to watch for, and proven solutions that protect your home and landscape.

1. Spot the Signs of Poor Drainage Early

Before you fix anything, it’s important to recognize when yard drainage has become a problem. Common red flags include:

• Standing water or puddles after rainfall
• Grass turning yellow, soggy, or moldy
• Water flowing toward your home’s foundation
• Erosion around walkways or flower beds
• Basement leaks or musty smells indoors

If you’re noticing any of these, don’t ignore them—your yard is telling you something’s wrong.

2. Understand What’s Causing the Problem

The key to solving drainage issues is understanding what’s causing them. Common causes include:

• Poor grading

If your yard is flat or slopes toward your home instead of away, water will naturally pool near your foundation.

• Compacted soil or clay

North Texas is known for dense, clay-rich soil that doesn’t drain well—causing water to sit on the surface.

• Blocked downspouts or gutters

If your roof drainage isn’t properly directed away from the house, it can lead to flooding below.

• Hardscape runoff

Improperly installed patios or driveways may channel water into problem areas instead of away from them.

At Salas Outdoors, we perform detailed site assessments to uncover the root cause of drainage problems—so we can fix them for good.

3. French Drains: The Most Effective Underground Solution

If water is building up around the foundation or in low-lying areas, a French drain may be the best fix.

What is a French drain?

A French drain is a gravel-filled trench that includes a perforated pipe. It collects excess water from the surface and redirects it underground to a safe discharge area.

Why it works:

• Keeps your yard dry and usable
• Protects your home’s foundation
• Works well with clay-heavy Texas soil
• Invisible once installed properly

We install custom French drainage systems that are long-lasting, discreet, and highly effective.

4. Surface Grading and Re-sloping for Proper Flow

If your yard isn’t sloped correctly, water won’t drain. We fix this by grading the landscape—changing the surface level so water naturally flows away from your home and into designated drainage zones.

This is especially important in new builds, heavily landscaped areas, or after major home renovations.

5. Catch Basins and Channel Drains for Hardscape Areas

If your patio, driveway, or walkway is collecting water, you may need a channel drain or catch basin.

How they work:

• Installed at low points where water gathers
• Collect runoff and redirect it through underground piping
• Prevent water from damaging pavers or concrete surfaces

We install heavy-duty, low-profile drainage products that blend in seamlessly with your outdoor design.

6. Downspout Extensions and Dry Wells

Sometimes the problem is your gutters. Water from the roof must be redirected far from the foundation—otherwise, you’ll get pooling around the house.

Solutions include:

• Downspout extensions to move water several feet away
• Dry wells to safely disperse excess roof runoff underground

Both are simple but effective fixes that can prevent thousands in foundation repair down the line.

7. Creating Swales or Drainage Paths

For large properties, a swale (a shallow ditch) can help guide water to a safe area like a rain garden or dry creek bed.

We can help you integrate swales into your landscaping so they’re both functional and visually appealing.

8. Native Plantings and Mulch to Absorb Water

In garden areas, using the right plants and mulches can help absorb excess moisture while preventing erosion.

We recommend:

• Native grasses and deep-rooted plants
• Organic mulch that retains just enough moisture
• Borders to slow water flow and protect plant roots

Our landscape team can design a planting plan that supports natural water absorption.

9. Why DIY Isn’t Always the Answer

While some yard drainage fixes seem simple, many require:

• Trenching near your home’s foundation
• Understanding water flow, soil type, and slope
• Using the right materials and equipment
• Permits or local code compliance

Improper fixes can make the problem worse. That’s why it’s smart to call drainage professionals like Salas Outdoors who know how to do it right the first time.

‍

‍