✓A flat cityLubbock sits on the flat High Plains of West Texas. Rain does not drain off toward a river. The city says its streets carry water into playa lakes, shallow basins spread across town. Streets usually clear 30 to 40 minutes after a storm. The city has spent tens of millions on new drain lines to move that water. One is the Northwest Drainage project along Quaker Avenue.epa.gov
✓On your own lot, water is slow to leaveBecause the ground is so flat, a yard only needs a small dip to hold water against a wall. Even a few inches of wrong slope can keep one side of a house wet for days.
✓Rain in burstsLubbock averages about 18.6 inches of rain a year, according to the National Weather Service. September is the wettest month in the NWS 30-year table, and long dry stretches come between the storms. That cycle of dry, then soaked, then dry again is what moves clay.weather.gov
✓Playas and fillSoil on playa floors is 50 to 60 percent clay, according to USDA. A 1999 Texas House bill analysis says filling playa lakes during building caused flooding problems in parts of Lubbock. Homes near a playa or on filled ground need good drainage most.soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov
What it costs
Typical ranges from published cost guides, not quotes. Every job starts with a free inspection and a written price, so you see the number before any work begins.
Soil in Lubbock does not move much on its own. Water makes it move. Common soils here have clay in the subsoil, according to USDA soil surveys. Clay swells when it is wet and shrinks when it is dry. Rain may soak one side of a house again and again. That side lifts or settles while the rest stays put. That is when cracks show up.
That is why so many foundation repairs here include drainage work. Lifting a house without fixing the water is like mopping a floor while the sink still leaks.
Does this sound like your house?
These are the drainage problems Lubbock homeowners describe.
"Water stands next to my house after every storm.".
"My gutters dump right at the corner of the house.".
"The yard slopes toward the house, not away from it.".
"The flower bed by the wall is always soggy.".
"There is water in my crawl space after it rains.".
"My sprinklers hit the wall every morning.".
"The soil pulls away from the slab in summer and leaves a gap.".
"My downspout washed out a hole by the foundation.".
How a local crew fixes drainage
Gutters and downspouts
The simplest fix. Clean the gutters and add downspouts where they are missing. Then carry the water several feet from the house with extensions or buried pipe.
Regrading
The crew reshapes the soil so the ground slopes away from the house on every side. This often means adding soil next to the wall and pulling down high spots in the yard.
French drains
A trench is filled with gravel and a pipe with small holes in it. The pipe catches water in the soil and carries it to a spot where it can drain away safely. This works well for a low spot that keeps holding water.
Surface drains
Grates in the yard, patio or driveway catch water on the surface. A pipe carries it away before it reaches the foundation.
Sprinkler fixes
Heads that spray the wall get moved or turned. Leaks get fixed. Zones next to the house get shorter run times.
Root barriers
Big trees near the house can pull water from the soil under one side. This is worst in a dry summer. A root barrier is a wall set in the ground between the tree and the foundation.
About these prices
These are typical ranges from published cost guides, not quotes.
Gutter extensions and sprinkler fixes cost much less. Longer drains, hard digging and extra fill dirt raise the price. See the full cost guide.
What your estimate should show
A drawing of where water goes now and where it will go after.
How far from the house each downspout will drain.
The length and depth of any French drain, and where it ends.
Whether new soil is included for regrading.
Whether the house also needs piers or leveling, and why.
Frequently asked questions
Can bad drainage really damage my foundation?
Yes. Clay soil swells when it gets wet. If one side of your house stays soaked while the rest stays dry, that side moves and the house cracks. Fixing the water is often part of fixing the foundation.
Do I need a French drain or just gutter extensions?
Many homes only need gutters cleaned and extended, and the yard sloped away from the house. A French drain makes sense when water keeps collecting in one low spot. The inspection shows which you need.
Why does my street flood every time it rains?
Lubbock is built that way on purpose. The city says streets are designed to carry rain to the playa lakes. They usually clear in 30 to 40 minutes. Water on your own lot is a different issue and worth fixing.
Should I water my foundation in a drought?
In long dry spells, some people keep the soil near the house evenly moist. They run a soaker hose a foot or two from the wall. The goal is even moisture, not mud. Ask the inspector what fits your home.
Will drainage work fix the cracks I already have?
No. Drainage stops new movement. If the house already sank, it may also need piers or leveling. The written estimate will say which parts you need.
Do sprinklers cause foundation problems?
They can. Heads that spray the wall or leak next to the slab keep that soil wet. Moving or fixing them is one of the cheapest things you can do.
How long does drainage work take?
Gutter extensions and small regrading jobs often take a day. A French drain usually takes one to three days, depending on length and how hard the ground is to dig.
Get your drainage checked for free
The next big storm will show you exactly where the water goes. It is better to fix it before then. Call (806) 855-8140 or send the short form. A local crew will call you back, usually the same day, and give you a written price.