When Choosing a Lot for a House, Don’t Overlook Drainage Problems

Proper drainage is often overlooked when building a house, but poor drainage can lead to problems that cause severe damage to the house structure. Kamol Jindamanee/Shutterstock

Dear James: Our last house had drainage problems after storms. When we select a lot to build our new house, what steps should be taken to evaluate possible drainage issues?—Jessica R.

Dear Jessica: When selecting a lot for a new house, most people think poor drainage can just make the yard muddy or harm landscaping. The potential problems from poor drainage can cause much more severe damage to the house structure itself. It can also be unhealthy to have a chronically damp lot.