Drainage & Grading

Poor drainage and improper grading around the foundation are the leading causes of recurring foundation movement in Texas. When water pools against the foundation, the clay soil swells; when it dries out, the clay contracts. Repeated cycles of this swell-and-shrink movement slowly destabilize even a well-built slab. Drainage correction typically includes re-grading soil around the perimeter so surface water flows away from the house, installing French drains or surface channel drains to capture and redirect runoff, and extending gutter downspouts well away from the foundation. Addressing drainage before or alongside foundation repair is critical — without it, a freshly repaired foundation is likely to experience the same movement again within a few years.