Top 5 Signs Your Yard Has a Drainage Problem—And What to Do About It
Overcoming Drainage Problems
When it rains on the Gulf Coast, it really rains. And if your yard isn’t prepared to handle all that water, you could be looking at more than just muddy shoes—you could be staring down foundation damage, dead grass, or even mold creeping into your home.
So how do you know if your yard’s drainage isn’t up to par? Here are the top five warning signs your yard has a drainage issue—and what you can do to fix it before things get worse.
🌊 1. Water Pools in Certain Areas After Rain
The Sign: After a decent rain, you see water gathering in the same spot over and over. It sits for hours or even days, turning your grass into mush and attracting mosquitoes like a backyard buffet.
What It Means: This is the most obvious sign of poor grading or compacted soil that’s not allowing water to flow naturally.
What You Can Do:
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Install a French drain to collect and redirect water underground.
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Re-grade the area to create a natural slope away from your home.
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Add dry creek beds or decorative swales for both function and beauty.
🧱 2. Cracks in Your Foundation or Driveway
The Sign: You notice new cracks forming in your home’s foundation or concrete surfaces. They may be hairline fractures—or full-on gaps widening by the month.
What It Means: Standing water around your foundation causes soil to expand and contract, leading to structural stress and settling.
What You Can Do:
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Redirect water away from the home with downspout extensions and catch basins.
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Grade your yard to ensure water flows away from the foundation.
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Consider a retaining wall if your home sits at the bottom of a slope.
🍃 3. Yellowing or Dead Patches in Your Lawn
The Sign: Certain areas of your yard just won’t grow. The grass turns yellow, dies, or grows mold and mildew despite all your care.
What It Means: Oversaturation is drowning the roots. Your grass isn’t sick—it’s suffocating.
What You Can Do:
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Aerate your soil to break up compaction and improve water absorption.
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Install a subsurface drainage system to wick water away from root zones.
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Replace affected areas with gravel or pavers in perpetually soggy spots.
🏠 4. Water Stains or Mold on Your Crawl Space or Basement Walls
The Sign: Musty smells. Stains on the base of your walls. Or worse—visible mold.
What It Means: Water is seeping into your home’s lowest points, likely due to poor grading or clogged gutters/downspouts.
What You Can Do:
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Clean and extend your gutters and downspouts to direct water far from the house.
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Install a gravel trench drain around the perimeter of your foundation.
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Fix grading to push water away rather than allowing it to pool against the home.
🛑 5. Erosion or Exposed Roots Around Trees and Flower Beds
The Sign: Soil is literally being washed away. You see tree roots, bare patches, or mulch that’s constantly sliding out of place.
What It Means: Water is rushing through instead of draining slowly—eroding your landscape.
What You Can Do:
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Install check dams, terracing, or retaining walls to slow water down on slopes.
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Add gravel borders or river rock in vulnerable areas.
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Use erosion control fabrics or native ground covers to stabilize soil.
💡 Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Drainage problems don't just ruin your landscaping—they can seriously impact your home’s structure and resale value. The good news? You don’t have to live in a swamp.
At The Landscape Experts, we specialize in real, lasting drainage solutions:
✅ French drains
✅ Grading and elevation correction
✅ Catch basins
✅ Dry creek beds
✅ Downspout redirection
✅ And more
📞 Get a FREE Drainage Consultation Today
Don’t let another storm wash away your peace of mind. Call us today or send us a message to schedule a free drainage evaluation and find out how we can turn your soggy yard into a functional, beautiful outdoor space.
📍 Serving Mobile, Baldwin County, and the entire Gulf Coast
🔧 Licensed. Insured. Built to Last.
