Drainage Contractor in Austin TX
Ace Construction Texas is a drainage contractor serving residential and commercial properties throughout Austin, TX, and Central Texas. We have been diagnosing and correcting drainage problems across the Austin metro since 2010 — over 16 years and more than 1,000 completed projects. Our drainage work covers French drain installation, surface drain systems, foundation perimeter drainage, yard regrading, and full drainage system design for properties with complex water management challenges. We are fully insured for all drainage work.
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Austin’s drainage challenges are more serious than most homeowners expect when they first see standing water in their yard or moisture near their foundation. The city’s expansive clay soil does not drain — it holds water. Austin’s topographic variation creates runoff concentration points across residential lots. And the intensity of Central Texas storm events means that even a well-graded property can experience significant water volume during heavy rain. Getting the diagnosis right before recommending a solution is how we operate.
Diagnosing the Drainage Problem First
Before we recommend any system, we walk the property and identify the root cause of the drainage problem. The three most common root causes of residential drainage issues in Austin are: negative grade toward the structure, clay soil that holds water without adequate outlet paths, and downspout discharge with no clear path away from the foundation. Most drainage solutions that fail do so because they address the symptom rather than the cause.
We also assess where collected water can go. A drain that intercepts water correctly but has no functional outlet simply moves the water to a different problem location. Outlet design is part of every drainage assessment we do.
French Drain Installation
French drains are the most common drainage solution we install in Austin. A French drain is a perforated pipe in a gravel-filled trench that intercepts subsurface and surface water along its entire length and moves it by gravity to a designated outlet. See our detailed French drain installation page for full installation details, depth guidance, and Austin-specific considerations.
We install French drains around foundations, in yards with standing water, behind retaining walls, beneath driveways, and in any area where subsurface water needs to be intercepted and redirected.
Surface Drain Systems
Surface drains, such as channel drains, area drains, and catch basins, collect water that pools on the surface at specific points and route it through a solid pipe to an outlet. These are used where surface water concentrates at a low point, at garage aprons where water sheets across the driveway approach, at patio edges, and at the base of sloped yard areas.
Surface drains work as part of an integrated drainage system alongside French drains. In most Austin residential drainage problems, the solution combines a subsurface French drain to manage groundwater with surface drains to capture concentrated surface runoff at its points of collection.
Foundation Drainage
Foundation drainage is the most structurally consequential drainage work on any Austin residential property. Austin’s clay soil expands significantly when it absorbs water, pushing against foundations, slabs, and any structure in contact with the soil. Perimeter foundation drains intercept water before it saturates the soil adjacent to the foundation, reducing the moisture cycling that causes foundation movement.
When we install foundation perimeter drainage, the drain runs along the footing depth, is wrapped in filter fabric with crushed gravel, and discharges to a safe point. We coordinate this work with the broader site grading to ensure that the surface drainage around the structure works with the subsurface drain rather than against it.
Drainage Regrading
In many cases, the most effective drainage correction is regrading to establish a proper slope away from the structure before any drain is installed. If the ground slopes toward the house by 2% over a 10-foot span, redirecting the slope to a 1% outward pitch eliminates the water source saturating the soil near the foundation.
We assess whether regrading alone is sufficient or whether drainage infrastructure is also needed. Properties with heavy clay and limited outlet paths usually need both regrading and a drain system. Properties where the grade issue is the primary problem and the soil has adequate drainage capacity can often be corrected with regrading alone.
Drainage for Retaining Walls
Retaining walls in Austin require integrated drainage to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup behind the wall. We install French drains behind retaining walls, structures as part of the standard wall construction scope, and we also address drainage as a separate corrective scope for existing walls showing signs of water damage or movement.
Drainage During Construction
We coordinate drainage system installation with the grading and site prep sequence on new construction projects so the drainage infrastructure and the drainage grades work together from day one. Drainage systems added after construction is complete are always more expensive and more disruptive than drainage planned and installed during the site preparation phase.
Drainage coordination is part of our scope for concrete driveways and concrete patio work. The slab drainage slope, any channel drain at the low edge, and the connection to the site drainage system are all addressed before forming begins.
Serving Austin and Central Texas
Ace Construction Texas provides drainage contractor services across the full Austin metro, including South Austin, East Austin, North Austin, Central Austin, and West Austin. We also serve Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Hutto, Buda, Kyle, and Manor.
Get a Drainage Estimate
If you have a drainage problem on your Austin property, request an estimate, and we will walk the property with you. We can also be reached at 512-265-1198.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drainage services does Ace Construction Texas provide?
Ace Construction Texas provides French drain installation, surface drain systems, channel drains, catch basins, foundation perimeter drainage, yard regrading for drainage correction, drainage trench excavation, and coordination of drainage systems with retaining walls and concrete work throughout Austin, TX, and Central Texas.
How do I know if my property needs a drainage contractor?
Signs that you need a drainage contractor include: standing water in your yard more than 24 hours after rain, water pooling against your foundation or slab edge, water entering a garage or crawl space, soil erosion along fence lines or slopes, retaining walls showing signs of hydrostatic pressure, and basement or slab moisture that cannot be attributed to a plumbing leak.
What is the most common drainage problem in Austin?
The most common drainage problem in Austin is a negative grade — ground that slopes toward the structure rather than away from it. Austin’s clay soil retains water rather than draining it, so even a slight negative slope can create persistent moisture problems for foundations and slabs. The second most common problem is inadequate outlet paths: water is correctly intercepted by a drain, but has nowhere useful to go.
What is the difference between a French drain and a surface drain?
A French drain is a subsurface system that intercepts groundwater and subsurface water movement. It consists of a perforated pipe in a gravel trench and collects water along its entire length. A surface drain, such as a channel drain or catch basin, collects water that pools on the ground surface at a specific point and routes it through a solid pipe to an outlet. Most Austin drainage solutions use both types in combination.
Can regrading fix a drainage problem without installing a drain?
Yes, in some cases. If the drainage problem is caused entirely by a negative grade — the ground slopes toward the structure — corrective regrading alone can direct water away from the structure and resolve the problem. If the ground has adequate slope but the soil is too saturated to drain (which is common with Austin clay), a subsurface French drain is needed, either in addition to or instead of regrading.
How much does drainage work cost in Austin?
Drainage costs in Austin vary based on the type of system, the length of drain runs, outlet complexity, soil and rock conditions, and whether the project involves grading corrections or concrete work. We provide site-specific written estimates after walking through the drainage problem on each property.
Do I need a permit for drainage work in Austin?
Simple residential French drain and surface drain installations generally do not require permits. Drainage systems that significantly alter drainage patterns across property lines, connect to city storm infrastructure, or are associated with new construction may require permits from Austin Development Services or Austin Watershed Protection. We confirm requirements before any work begins.
How do I get a drainage estimate from Ace Construction Texas?
Call 512-265-1198 or use our contact page to schedule a site visit. We walk the property, identify the root cause of the drainage problem, assess outlet options, and provide a written estimate for the full solution before any work begins.