Water can be a powerful ally—or your landscape’s biggest enemy. If you’ve ever walked across a soggy yard days after a storm, watched mulch float off your flowerbeds, or noticed standing water near your home’s foundation, then you know just how frustrating poor drainage can be.
At Texas Landscape Creations, we’ve spent decades crafting yard drainage solutions that don’t just move water—they work with the land to protect your investment. Whether you're managing a residential yard or a commercial greenspace, our goal is simple: keep your outdoor areas dry, safe, and fully functional through every season.
What’s Really Behind Water Pooling?
Preventing water pooling starts with understanding why it happens in the first place. In Central Texas, it’s rarely just one issue:
- Clay-heavy soils don’t drain well, leading to soggy patches.
- Improper grading funnels water toward homes, patios, or low-lying lawn areas.
- Compacted soil prevents water from soaking in, even with healthy turf.
- Overwhelmed gutters or downspouts dump water where it can’t be absorbed quickly enough.
- Hardscaping without runoff planning creates barriers that redirect water into unwanted zones.
The result? Grass dies. Beds erode. Mosquitoes thrive. And your landscape becomes more frustration than sanctuary.
Yard Drainage Solutions That Actually Work
At TLC, we approach landscape drainage systems with a problem-solving mindset. Every property is different, so we custom-build each solution based on site layout, elevation, soil conditions, and usage patterns. But most drainage strategies fall into a few categories:
1. Surface Regrading (Professional Yard Grading)
This is the foundational fix. If your lawn slopes toward your house—or water pools in the same spot after every rain—it’s time to regrade. With professional yard grading, we reshape the contours of your yard to direct water where it can safely drain or soak in.
Grading can:
- Redirect runoff away from structures
- Improve lawn and plant health
- Eliminate swampy low spots without needing visible drainage
Grading is subtle, permanent, and one of the most overlooked landscape improvements you can make.
2. French Drains for Subsurface Drainage
French drains are among the most effective yard drainage solutions for removing water from turf, gardens, or hardscapes without altering your landscape’s appearance. These systems use perforated pipes buried beneath gravel to collect and reroute water underground.
They’re especially helpful for:
- Heavy clay soils
- Sloped yards
- Moisture buildup behind retaining walls or under patios
Proper installation is key—poorly placed or shallow drains won’t perform, and clogged or collapsed ones can make things worse. Our team installs French drains to exacting specifications for long-lasting, reliable drainage.
3. Catch Basins and Channel Drains
In high-traffic or hardscaped areas, surface drainage is often the best solution. Catch basins collect runoff from flat surfaces like driveways and patios, while channel drains (also called trench drains) collect sheet water along edges.
We often install these:
- At the base of driveways
- Along pool decks or outdoor kitchens
- In areas with heavy stormwater runoff
They pair well with grading and gutter redirection to form a comprehensive system.
4. Dry Creek Beds: Beauty Meets Function
Sometimes the best drainage solution looks like part of the design. Dry creek beds are shallow channels lined with rock and plants that guide water through your landscape while blending into the scenery. These are ideal for:
- Decorative water redirection across large lots
- Managing natural runoff in sloped areas
- Enhancing native or xeriscape gardens
They reduce erosion, slow down stormwater, and look great doing it.
The Downside of DIY Drainage
Online tutorials might make drainage installation look simple—but missteps can lead to bigger problems than you started with. Here’s what we often see with DIY jobs:
- Drains too shallow to function
- Incorrect slope or outlet placement
- Systems installed without accounting for root zones or soil compaction
- No plan for discharge (where the water ends up)
That’s why we stress professional yard grading and drainage. We design solutions that are engineered for Central Texas conditions—not just the backyard in a YouTube video.
How Drainage Fits Into the Bigger Landscape Picture
At Texas Landscape Creations, we don’t treat drainage like a side job. We see it as a core element of smart landscaping. That’s why our drainage plans are fully integrated into:
- Patio and hardscape design
- Turf and bed health strategies
- Irrigation planning
- Seasonal maintenance services
For example, we won’t install sod without ensuring the grading supports long-term water movement. And when we design an outdoor living area, we’re always thinking about how it’ll shed water—before we ever pour concrete or place stone.
Drainage for Commercial Properties & HOAs
If you manage multiple homes, retail sites, or commercial grounds, poor drainage can lead to tenant complaints, landscaping failures, and safety risks. TLC provides scalable landscape drainage systems for:
- Multi-family housing and HOA green spaces
- Shopping center entryways and medians
- Office building landscapes
- School campuses and athletic fields
We combine engineering precision with low-maintenance materials to deliver results that last—without disrupting daily operations.
TLC’s Signature Approach
Here’s what you get with Texas Landscape Creations:
- A drainage-first design philosophy that prioritizes long-term landscape health
- Licensed, certified pros with deep knowledge of local grading and soil behavior
- Custom drainage strategies that integrate seamlessly with your aesthetic goals
- Clear communication—you’ll know what we’re doing and why
We don’t install generic systems. We build lasting solutions—and we stand behind them.
Let’s Dry That Yard Up—For Good
Whether you’re dealing with puddles that just won’t quit or trying to prevent future damage, the first step is simple: let’s take a look. We’ll walk your property, assess problem zones, and deliver a plan that puts water in its place—without turning your lawn into a construction zone.
Schedule a Drainage Evaluation Today
Call Texas Landscape Creations now to talk with our drainage experts.
Or send us a message to schedule your on-site consultation.
Let’s keep your yard dry, healthy, and built to handle Texas weather—with smart, lasting solutions from a team you can trust.