Drainage and soil moisture around your foundation
Water is behind most foundation movement in Central Texas. Fixing drainage costs far less than piering, and it keeps a repair from failing later.
Gutters and downspouts
Roof water is the biggest single source of runoff at the foundation. Gutters should be clear, and downspouts should discharge well away from the slab, not onto the ground beside it. Extensions or buried drain lines are cheap fixes.
Grading
The ground should slope away from the house. A common building guideline is about six inches of drop over the first ten feet, where the lot allows. Flower beds, mulch and added soil can quietly reverse that slope over the years.
Surface and French drains
On flat lots or lots where water collects against the house, a surface drain or French drain can carry runoff to a safer spot. They only work if there is somewhere for the water to go, so ask where it will discharge.
Trees and roots
Large trees pull water from clay, and the soil on that side of the house can shrink and drop. A root barrier or removing a tree close to the slab can help, but cutting roots can hurt the tree. An arborist and the foundation inspector should agree on the plan.
Watering during drought
Some contractors suggest slow, even watering with a soaker hose a foot or two from the slab during long dry spells, so the clay does not shrink away from the foundation. Keep it even around the house, avoid soaking one side, and follow current water restrictions in your city.
Leaks
A leak under the slab or in a crawl space can wash out soil and soak clay from below. Signs include a jump in the water bill or a damp spot on the floor. A quick check: shut off all water inside and outside, then see whether the water meter still moves.
When drainage alone is not enough
If the foundation has already dropped, drainage work keeps it from getting worse but does not lift it. That takes piers or foam.
Simple checks after a heavy rain
The best time to learn how your yard drains is during or right after a storm. Put on a rain jacket and walk around the house. Look for water pooling within a few feet of the foundation, downspouts spilling onto the ground beside the slab, and soil washing away along the edge. Take photos. They cost nothing and are useful to show an inspector or a drainage contractor.
Flat lots and newer subdivisions
Many newer neighborhoods along I-35 were graded so water flows from each lot to the street or to a shared drainage area. Fences, patios, flower beds and added soil can block those paths over time. If water now sits in your yard where it did not before, look at what changed. Your neighborhood or city may have a drainage plan on file that shows how water was meant to flow.
Sprinklers and irrigation
Sprinklers can do more harm than rain. Heads pointed at the slab, a broken line, or zones that soak one side of the house and skip the other all create uneven moisture. Walk the yard while each zone runs. Point heads away from the house, fix leaks and keep watering even on all sides.
Who to call for drainage work
Gutter companies, landscapers and drainage contractors can all handle parts of this. If the foundation has already moved, have it inspected first so the drainage plan fits the repair plan rather than working against it.
Help in your town
Read what the ground is like and what homeowners ask in Cibolo, Schertz and Selma, Kyle, or see the full service area.
How the inspection works
- Send a request or callFill in the short form or call (726) 610-5892. Tell us your town and what you are seeing.
- A company contacts youA local foundation repair company calls to set a time that works for you.
- The visitThe inspector measures floor levels, looks at cracks, doors and drainage, and checks the crawl space if there is one.
- Written findingsYou should get the findings and any repair plan in writing, so you can compare it with other quotes.
Last updated October 2026.
Request an inspection
Tell us what you are seeing. A local foundation repair company will contact you to schedule a visit.
Prefer to talk? Call (726) 610-5892.
Most companies offer a free inspection. Confirm when you book.
Common questions
Will a French drain fix a settled foundation?
No. It manages water and may stop further movement. A foundation that has already dropped needs a lift or support.
Is it bad to water my foundation?
Done evenly and within water restrictions, it can help. Soaking one side or leaving a hose running can make things worse.
Do I need permission to change drainage in my yard?
Sometimes. Cities and homeowner associations may have rules about where water can go, especially onto a neighbor's lot or the street. Check with your city or association before large changes.
Ready to have someone look at it?
Tell us what you are seeing. It takes about a minute, and photos are optional.