Why North Georgia is different
Clay soil drains slowly and changes volume as it wets and dries. Water that would percolate away in sandier soil sits instead, holding moisture against foundations and moving the ground seasonally.
Yard-level signs
- Water standing more than a day after rain
- Erosion channels cut across the lawn
- Mulch or soil washing onto walkways and the driveway
- Bare areas where grass won't establish
- Moss or persistently soft ground
House-level signs
- Water in the basement, crawlspace, or garage
- Efflorescence on foundation walls
- Musty smell or high crawlspace humidity
- Cracks in driveway or patio near the house
- Doors or windows that stick seasonally
Check these four things yourself
- Where does every downspout actually discharge?
- Does the ground slope away from the house for the first several feet?
- Are gutters clear and draining, or overflowing at the corners?
- Has new hardscape been added that increased runoff?
The order to fix things
Roof water first, surface grade second, subsurface collection third. Many homeowners start with the most expensive option and discover the first two would have handled most of it.
When it's urgent
Water entering the structure, visible foundation movement, or erosion undermining a slab or footing should not wait for another wet season.
What to take away
- Fix roof water before considering subsurface drainage.
- Clay soil holds water against foundations — grade matters more here.
- Every drainage design needs a legitimate discharge point.
- Yard symptoms are cheaper to address than foundation symptoms.