Drainage solutions

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

Standing water in your yard almost always comes down to one of six causes — and every one of them has a proven fix. In Central Texas, the usual suspects are flat or negative grading, our slow-draining clay soil, compacted ground, downspouts dumping roof water into the lawn, natural low spots with no exit, and blocked flow paths. Scott Lockhart Drainage Contractor has been matching the right solution to the right cause across Austin since 1984 — more than 10,000 projects — and

Call Scott today for a free consultation 512-790-8564

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

A sump pump gets requested a lot more often than it's actually needed. Here's how to tell which situation you're in. What a Sump Pump Actually Does A sump pump moves water that's already collected somewhere it shouldn't be — a basin, a low point, a crawl space — and pushes it out to a proper discharge point. It's a mechanical answer to a problem gravity alone can't solve on that particular property. That's an important distinction: a sump pump doesn't stop water from collecti

If you're searching for drainage management in Austin, you're probably dealing with one of two things: water that won't leave your property, or water that's leaving it in the wrong place. Here's what the term actually covers. What Is Drainage Management? Drainage management is the umbrella term for controlling where water goes on a property — from the moment it hits the roof or the ground to the moment it leaves the site entirely. It's not one fix; it's a system of decisions:

Commercial drainage is a different animal from residential. The water volumes are larger, the liability is higher, and the stakes of getting it wrong — a flooded parking lot, a saturated slab under a warehouse, a code problem that stalls a project — are measured in business days lost, not just a soggy lawn. If you manage a property, run a facility, or are building in Central Texas, here's what commercial drainage actually involves and how to find someone who does it right. Wh

If you're searching for the best stormwater management company in Austin, you've probably noticed the problem: everyone claims to be it. So instead of adding one more "we're the best" to the pile, here's how to actually tell — the criteria that separate a genuine stormwater specialist from a landscaper with a trencher. It Has to Be the Actual Specialty, Not a Side Service Stormwater management is its own discipline. It's the science of where water comes from, where it needs t

There's a particular kind of knowledge you can't get from a manual, a certification, or a YouTube video. You get it from doing the same work, in the same ground, for a very long time — long enough to have seen what fails, what lasts, and why. That's the difference four decades makes. Scott Lockhart has been solving drainage problems in Austin and Central Texas since 1984 — over 10,000 completed projects across residential, commercial, and municipal work. When it comes to how

Knowing what to look for in a drainage estimate — and having the right questions in your back pocket when you shop around — is something you should be able to do with confidence. The right knowledge can save you a good chunk of change and a headache or two down the road. A drainage estimate is a blueprint for protecting your property and solving your water problem. You want someone to actually walk the property, not stand by your driveway and guess. The estimate you receive t

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

You've noticed some water pooling in your yard after rain. Maybe you've seen some cracks showing up on walls or doors that suddenly don't close right. Your first thought might be, "Is my foundation failing?" That's a scary question — and honestly, it might not even be the right one. Here's something many homeowners don't realize: drainage problems and foundation problems share a lot of the same symptoms. However, drainage issues are almost always cheaper and easier to fix. Of

If you’ve noticed water sitting in your yard for longer than you think it should, or maybe even pooling near your foundation, you’ve probably wondered if it’s time for someone to take a look at your drainage system. Homeowners might think that a drainage inspection is only necessary when things get really bad. The truth is, a drainage inspection often catches problems before they become expensive repairs. "What exactly are you looking for during a drainage inspection?" It's a

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

Managing stormwater effectively is a critical challenge for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities, especially in regions like Central Texas where heavy rains can cause flooding and property damage. Innovative drainage system solutions are essential to control runoff, protect infrastructure, and maintain environmental health. This article explores practical, modern approaches to stormwater management that can help you address water flow issues efficiently and sustainably.