Surface Drains

Gutters play a vital role in protecting your home by channeling rainwater away from the roof and foundation. Without them, water runoff can collect at the base of your home, causing:

• Soil erosion around the perimeter
• Cracks or weakening of the foundation
• Basement or crawl space flooding
• Damage to landscaping and walkways
• Mold or mildew growth from moisture seepage

Installed just below the edge of the roof, gutters capture rainfall and direct it through a downspout, where it’s released a safe distance away from your home. This system ensures proper drainage, reduces splashback against siding or windows, and prevents water from pooling near your home’s base, which is especially important in areas with expansive clay soil like much of Texas.

By managing rainwater effectively, gutters extend the life of your siding, roofing and foundation — while also reducing puddles and slippery surfaces around your property.

Gutter maintenance depends on seasonal conditions and your surrounding landscape, but most homeowners should aim to clean their gutters at least twice a year — ideally in spring and fall.

Here’s why those times matter:

• Fall: Leaves, pine needles, and twigs shed from trees and quickly clog gutters, especially after a windy day.
• Spring: Trees bloom and shed debris like seed pods or blossoms, which can also block proper water flow.

In areas with heavy rainstorms, like Texas during spring or early summer, more frequent cleanings may be needed — especially if overhanging trees are near your roof. Signs you may need an extra cleaning include:

• Overflowing water during rain
• Sagging or detached gutters
• Visible plant growth or nesting debris
• Water pooling near the home’s foundation

Routine inspection and cleaning help extend the life of your gutter system and prevent costly water damage.

An exterior drain is an outdoor drainage solution designed to remove excess surface water from your yard, landscaping or paved areas. These systems are commonly seen in areas prone to pooling, such as:

• Near downspouts
• Patios and walkways
• Driveways
• Low-lying lawn areas

Typically, these systems consist of surface-level grates that allow rainwater to enter and flow into a network of underground pipes. From there, the water is directed away from your home and into a designated drainage area like a storm drain, swale or dry well.

Exterior drains help:

• Prevent erosion and standing water
• Protect home foundations from saturation
• Maintain healthy landscaping and lawn conditions

Compared to passive runoff, exterior drains move water away more efficiently, making them a popular choice for properties with poor natural drainage.

A French drain is a highly effective and discreet system used to manage water drainage in yards and around foundations. It’s ideal for homes in Texas, where heavy rains and expansive clay soil can lead to oversaturation and foundation stress.

Here’s how it works:

• A perforated pipe is placed in a sloped trench dug beneath the soil surface.
• The pipe is surrounded by gravel or rock to help water filter down.
• A water-permeable fabric surrounds the system to block soil and debris from entering the pipe.
• As water soaks into the ground, it flows into the pipe and is carried away from the property to a drainage outlet.

French drains are subtle — often covered with sod or decorative gravel — and they prevent standing water, reduce hydrostatic pressure near the foundation, and help keep crawl spaces or basements dry.

Because French drains are buried underground, clogs can be more difficult to detect and fix compared to surface drains. Clogs usually occur due to:

• Soil buildup
• Root intrusion
• Sediment accumulation from unfiltered runoff

Here’s how to address a clog:

• Inspect the outlet end of the drain (often near the edge of the yard or street) to check for visible blockages.
• Use a drain snake or auger to break up any clogs inside the pipe.
• Flush with a hose or pressure washer to help move sediment and debris through the system.

For stubborn or deep clogs, it’s best to contact a professional. At G.L. Hunt, our team uses advanced tools like video inspections and hydro jetting equipment to locate and safely remove clogs — all without damaging your yard or pipe system. Timely maintenance can restore the drain’s performance and protect your property from water damage.

Your home’s foundation depends on consistent, balanced moisture levels in the soil surrounding it. Without proper drainage or functioning gutters, water can pool around the base of your home, leading to serious structural issues. In areas with expansive clay soil — like much of Texas — the risks are even higher.

Here’s why water management matters:

• Excess moisture causes soil to expand, pushing against the foundation and potentially leading to cracks, shifting, or heaving.
• Dry conditions cause the soil to shrink, creating voids under the foundation that can lead to settling.
• Cycles of wet and dry soil put your foundation under constant stress, weakening its structural integrity over time.

Gutters and drainage systems redirect water away from your foundation, maintaining stable soil conditions and preventing erosion, mold growth and long-term foundation damage. They are your first line of defense in preserving your home’s stability and value.

Gutters are meant to protect your foundation — but if they’re clogged, poorly installed or discharging water too close to the house, they can do more harm than good.

Here are warning signs your gutters may be part of the problem:

• Overflowing water during rainstorms
• Downspouts that end near the foundation (within 3 feet of the house)
• Standing water or muddy patches near the base of your home
• Erosion or gullies in flower beds or mulch
• Cracks in the foundation or walls, particularly after heavy rains
• Sagging gutters or detached sections that allow uncontrolled runoff

If you notice these signs, it’s time to inspect and clean your gutters, extend your downspouts or consider a more robust drainage solution. Left unchecked, improper water flow can accelerate foundation deterioration.

Adding soil around your foundation can offer a short-term improvement in grading, but it’s not a substitute for a proper drainage system. Here’s why:

• Soil alone cannot manage heavy rain runoff — without a way to redirect water, it will still accumulate near the foundation.
• Over time, added soil compacts and erodes, especially during Texas storms, leaving your foundation exposed again.
• Without controlling water flow, you risk moisture intrusion, soil expansion and future erosion, even if the slope looks good temporarily.

While regrading is part of a comprehensive water management strategy, it’s most effective when paired with gutters, downspout extensions, French drains or surface drains. The goal isn’t just to move water away — it’s to keep it from returning.

Drainage pipes should always discharge at a safe distance from your foundation and in a location that won’t cause water to flow back toward your home or affect neighboring properties.

Best practices include:

• At least 5–10 feet away from the foundation (more if possible)
• Into storm drains, dry wells or grassy swales that promote safe absorption
• Sloped downward to encourage gravity-assisted water flow
• Never into areas with poor soil absorption or where water will pool and stagnate

In some municipalities, there may be regulations on where and how drainage can be discharged, so it’s important to work with a contractor familiar with local building codes.

At G.L. Hunt, we design custom drainage systems that are both effective and compliant — ensuring that your foundation is protected without compromising your landscaping or local infrastructure.

Fixing drainage and gutters is a crucial step in protecting your foundation, but it may not reverse existing structural damage. Instead, it:

• Stops the root cause of foundation deterioration (excess water and soil movement)
• Prevents further damage from occurring over time
• Improves conditions for additional foundation repairs to last longer

If your foundation has already settled, cracked or shifted, you’ll likely need both:

• Foundation repair (e.g., piers, leveling, crack sealing)
• Drainage and gutter upgrades to prevent recurrence

At G.L. Hunt, we provide comprehensive assessments that look at both structural damage and the underlying moisture issues — offering a full solution to protect your home long term.

You should call a foundation and drainage specialist — not just a landscaper or roofer — when it comes to protecting your foundation. These professionals understand how soil, water and structural systems interact and can design targeted solutions.

Look for companies that:

• Offer foundation and drainage assessments together
• Have experience with Texas-specific soil conditions
• Provide custom solutions like French drains, surface drains, sump pumps and downspout extensions

At G.L. Hunt, our experts specialize in integrated foundation and drainage solutions. We evaluate the full picture — from surface runoff to subsurface water pressure — and tailor repairs to protect your home’s stability, comfort and value.