Standing Water Near Your Foundation: What to Do
Water that stands next to a foundation after rain is worth dealing with quickly in the Shreveport area. The local clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and repeating that cycle beside a slab or pier line is something you want to avoid.
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What to do about standing water near your foundation
First, find where the water comes from. Stand outside during a rain and watch. Usually it is one of three things: a downspout emptying at the corner, ground that slopes toward the house, or run-off arriving from a higher yard.
Then deal with the easiest cause first. Clean the gutters and extend the downspouts at least a few feet out, or into a buried line. Pull mulch and soil back so the ground falls away from the wall for the first few feet.
Why it matters on local soil
Much of Bossier City and east Shreveport sits on smectitic Red River clay, which the USDA classes as poorly drained and very slowly permeable. Clay like that holds water against a foundation instead of letting it drain away, and its swelling and shrinking is a known contributor to foundation movement in the region.
Fixes that work
- Buried downspout lines that carry roof water to the street or a pop-up outlet.
- Regrading so the soil within the first few feet slopes away from the house.
- A French drain along the uphill side when water arrives from higher ground.
- A sump pump in a crawl space that takes on water during long rains.
Common questions
Is a little water after a big storm normal?
Brief puddling that drains within an hour or two is common. Water that stays against the house for hours or days is not, and that is the kind worth fixing.
Should I call a foundation company or a drainage company?
If you see new cracks, sticking doors or sloping floors, have the foundation looked at too. The drainage still needs fixing either way, or the movement can continue.
Related services
Get a drainage look at your property
Call (318) 216-6513 or use the callback form. Tell us where the water stands and when it shows up, and we will talk through what is likely causing it.