Drainage Guides

Surface drainage is any system that collects rainwater on top of the ground and moves it off the property before it can pool, soak in where it shouldn't, or reach the foundation. The main types are grading, swales, channel (trench) drains, catch basins, and downspout extensions with pop-up emitters. Most Austin properties need a combination, chosen by where the water lands and where it can be sent. Scott Lockhart Drainage Contractor has designed and installed surface drainage

In construction, "below grade" means below the finished ground level around a building. "Grade" is the surface of the soil after construction and landscaping are finished. Any part of a structure that sits lower than that surface, such as a basement, a foundation wall, or the ground under a crawl space, is below grade, and it's in constant contact with soil moisture. That last part is why the term matters. Everything below grade has to deal with water in the surrounding soil,

The most reliable stormwater advice for a Texas property comes from three places: your city or county's drainage and watershed resources, educational material from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and a direct conversation with an experienced drainage specialist who can apply that knowledge to your specific lot. Generic online articles can explain the concepts. They can't see your grading, your soil, or where water leaves your property, and in Texas, those details decide everyth

Scheduling a free drainage consultation in Austin takes one phone call: 512-790-8564. That's Scott Lockhart Drainage Contractor's business line — describe what the water is doing at your property, and you'll get a walk-through scheduled with Scott directly. No forms that go nowhere, no call center scripts, no fee for the conversation. Since 1984 and more than 10,000 projects, the free consultation has been where every job starts — because the diagnosis matters more than the s

Drainage, landscaping, or general contracting — figuring out who actually fixes what can be tricky. Each professional will give you a confident answer. Ask a landscaper about your soggy backyard, and you'll hear about grading and plant beds. Ask a general contractor, and it's patios and pergolas. Ask a drainage contractor, and they'll mention French drains and downspouts. No one is trying to mislead you. They're all viewing your yard through their specific lens. You might nee

If you own a home in Austin, you've probably run into at least one of these. Water that won't leave the yard, a soggy patch that never dries, a foundation that stays damp long after the rain stops. These are the most common drainage problems we see across Central Texas homes — and more useful than the list itself is understanding what's actually causing them, because the cause is almost always the same two culprits. Why Austin Homes Flood in the First Place Two things make Au

There's nothing quite like the pit in your stomach when you look out the window — or into your garage, or worse, down at your flooring — and see pooled water after a storm. Whether it was a sudden summer flash flood, a relentless seasonal downpour, or a nearby creek that decided to breach its banks, home flooding is exhausting, stressful, and frankly a bit overwhelming. Flooding is one of those homeowner headaches that always seems to happen at the worst possible time. The tr

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If water is pooling in your yard, creeping up against your foundation, or turning your back patio into a wading pool every time it rains, you know you need help. What you might not know is how to find the right drainage contractor to help you. Austin has no shortage of contractors. Landscapers, handymen, general construction crews — plenty of folks will happily take on a drainage job. But drainage is its own specialty, and hiring the wrong person can leave you with a lighter

Most drainage problems aren't caused by too much rain, they're caused by a yard that was never set up to handle the rain it was always going to get. Central Texas isn't short on storms. Two inches in an hour is a perfectly normal summer afternoon, but most residential lots are graded and landscaped with almost no thought given to where that water actually goes. This means homeowners end up living with standing water, soggy grass, and creeping foundation moisture for years. Mo

Living between Austin and the Hill Country, you already know the drill: months of drought, then one big storm that turns your yard into a lake. Scott and the crew hear the same questions at almost every job site, so we figured we'd just put the answers in one place. No gimmicks, no upsells, just honest answers straight from the field. Why does my yard flood every time it rains in Central Texas, but my neighbor's doesn't? Usually it comes down to grading and soil. The clay soi

If you've lived in Austin for long enough, you may have noticed that after a strong rain comes through, your yard suddenly transforms into something reminiscent of a small pond. While some storms are naturally heavier than others, sudden Austin downpours can quickly overwhelm a yard. However, if you consistently notice water pooling in your yard, it may be a sign of a larger drainage issue below the surface. While your garden may have needed a good and well-deserved soak and

Proper drainage upkeep strategies are crucial for protecting properties from water damage and ensuring efficient water flow. Whether managing a residential property, a commercial site, or municipal infrastructure, understanding how to maintain drainage systems can save time, money, and prevent costly repairs. This guide offers practical advice and clear steps to help maintain drainage systems effectively. Understanding Drainage Upkeep Strategies Drainage upkeep strategies inv