When spring finally rolls in, it’s not just flowers and fresh grass that start popping up. The season has a way of revealing everything winter left behind—frozen soil shifts, clogged gutters and standing water where it shouldn’t be. And if you’ve got a drainage system in place, this is the moment it either proves itself or starts throwing up red flags.
At Hydroscapes, we’ve worked with homeowners all across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast who face the same thing every year: pooling water, soggy lawns and basement headaches that could’ve been prevented with a little springtime maintenance. Getting ahead of drainage issues right now helps you avoid bigger repairs when summer storms start rolling in.
Let’s walk through a few must-dos that should be on your radar this spring.
Start with Your Gutters and Downspouts
You’d be surprised how often drainage problems begin right at the roofline. When gutters are clogged with leaves or downspouts have pulled loose over the winter, water goes precisely where it shouldn’t—down the walls, into the foundation or straight into your basement.
Spring is the time to get up there (or hire someone who can) and ensure gutters are clear, downspouts are connected and extensions are in place. The goal is simple: water should move away from your house, not settle around it. This could be your first fix if you spot signs of erosion at the base of your home or constant dampness along the walls.
French Drains Aren’t “Set It and Forget It”
If your yard already has a French drain, surface drain or dry well, don’t assume it’s still working perfectly. These systems do a lot of heavy lifting underground and spring is a great time to check how they’re holding up.
Look for clogged grates or blocked inlets. If geotextile fabric covers the pipe, it can get packed with debris or roots over time. And if a section has collapsed—or shifted due to freeze-thaw cycles—you might not see the signs until there’s standing water in places that used to stay dry. Keeping your system flowing now means you won’t be digging up half your yard come June.
Take a Lap and Spot Trouble Zones
Walk your yard a few days after a rainstorm. Look for soggy patches that stick around longer than they should, especially in areas that used to drain well. These swampy spots might be caused by compacted soil, subtle grading issues or a blockage further down the line.
You might think, “It’ll dry out on its own.” But persistent water buildup can lead to turf damage, erosion or even mosquito infestations once the weather heats up. If the same spots show problems year after year, it’s worth getting a professional eye on the grading to see what’s going on under the surface.
Hidden Systems Need Attention, Too
Some of the most critical parts of your drainage system are the ones you never see. Pipe extensions buried beneath the soil, catch basins tucked into landscaping and trench drains that feed into underground systems—they all work quietly in the background until they don’t.
Freeze-thaw cycles can shift pipes out of alignment. Soil buildup can block flow. Roots can sneak in and cause clogs where you least expect them. If water’s not moving as it used to, don’t wait for it to worsen. These systems are designed to last but only if you ensure they’re still doing what they were built to do.
Check Your Sump Pump Before It’s Too Late
When we talk about spring drainage, most people think of the yard. But let’s not forget the basement. After sitting mostly idle all winter, sump pumps deserve a little attention before the rainy season hits.
Test it by pouring water into the pit until it kicks on. Make sure the discharge pipe is clear and sends water away from the house—not right back into the foundation. And if you don’t already have a battery backup system, consider adding one. Power outages and spring storms have a habit of arriving together and the last thing you want is a flooded basement because the pump lost power right when you needed it most.
Spring is a Wake-Up Call for Lawns and Foundations
It’s easy to forget how much damage water can do until it starts making a mess of your property. Cracks in the foundation, bare patches in the lawn, slippery walkways—these things don’t happen overnight. They build up over seasons of unchecked runoff, clogged drains and minor problems that grow bigger with time.
Getting your drainage system checked and cleaned now helps protect everything from your home’s structure to the curb appeal you’ve worked hard to maintain. Whether or not you’ve had water issues, spring is the smart time to pay attention.
Putting It Off Comes With a Price
We get it—drainage maintenance doesn’t top most to-do lists. It’s out of sight, usually out of mind and honestly, most folks don’t call us until there’s already damage. But waiting often means more expensive repairs later.
We’ve seen what happens when homeowners try to troubleshoot major water problems on their own or worse, ignore them altogether. Improper grading, poorly installed drains or patchwork fixes can make things worse instead of better. That’s where professional eyes make all the difference.
Our team looks at how water moves across and under your property—not just where it ends up. That’s how we catch small problems before they become disasters.
Let’s Get Ahead of It This Year
Spring is the best time to get ahead of drainage problems before they soak into your summer plans. If you’re unsure what to check or you’ve noticed signs that something’s off, reach out to us. We’ll walk your property, inspect your systems and ensure everything works the way it should—so you can enjoy the season without worrying about what’s happening underground.