The yard can look perfectly ordinary until it rains. Then a low spot
fills beside a basement wall, a downspout outlet sends water across a
walk, or mulch hides the bottom of the siding. I like to walk the
property after a good rain because those paths are visible then.
From safe ground, note where water collects and how long it remains.
Check that downspouts discharge away from the building without creating
a hazard for a neighbor or public walkway. Look for soil that has
settled near the foundation and landscaping that blocks a drain inlet.
Take a photo and mark the date and rainfall. One puddle after an unusual
storm may differ from water at the same spot after every rain.
Keep simple fixes simple
Moving an accessible splash block back into place and clearing leaves
from a surface inlet can be straightforward. Regrading, underground
piping, retaining-wall drainage, and recurring basement seepage call for
an appropriate drainage contractor. Don’t direct water into a sanitary
sewer or cut a new channel without checking local requirements and the
effect on adjacent property.
The EPA’s
moisture-control guidance connects site drainage and roof runoff
with keeping water out of building assemblies. Indoors, staining or
musty odor is a reason to investigate promptly, even when the exterior
issue seems minor.
My Helpful
Resources page includes contractor contacts. I also list
ground-level drainage supplies on Homeowner
Tools & Supplies. Buy the extension only after you know where it
can safely send the water.