Standing water can come from compacted soil, heavy clay, low grading, roof runoff, blocked drainage routes, buried construction debris, overwatering, or water arriving from a neighboring elevation. The correct repair starts with identifying the source and a safe discharge point.

Possible solutions include regrading, extending downspouts, adding surface inlets, installing a properly designed drain, improving soil structure, or creating a rain garden where appropriate. A drain without a dependable outlet may simply move the puddle underground or create a new problem elsewhere.

Observe the property during rainfall and note where water enters, how long it remains, and whether it is close to the foundation. Those details are extremely helpful when diagnosing drainage.yard drainage, standing water, clay soil, grading