Why is water pooling near my foundation or driveway after storms?

Pooling water usually starts as a small annoyance. Damp spots near the driveway, the soil patch looking darker than the rest. After a few storms, the area stays wet longer than it should. In Scottsdale, this happens often because rain arrives fast and even leaves quickly. This gives water very little time to soak in. CR Gutters, Inc.™ regularly hears from property owners who assume the concrete or soil is at fault, when the real issue usually starts higher up.

Most drainage problems don’t begin at ground level. They begin at the roofline.

How roof runoff ends up near the foundation

When the gutter system works efficiently, water flows away from the building. When it does not, runoff gets released too close to the building. In Scottsdale, that’s a problem because desert soil is compacted and slow to absorb moisture.

Downspouts that end near slab edges or driveways push water directly toward vulnerable areas. If the surrounding soil slopes even slightly toward the structure, runoff follows that path and collects where it shouldn’t. CR Gutters, Inc.™ often finds the gutter system itself is fine, but the discharge point was never designed to move water far enough away.

Over time, the pattern usually unfolds the same way:

• Water exits close to the wall
• Soil becomes saturated during storms
• Moisture lingers near concrete edges
• Cracks or shifting start to appear

Why extensions and grading matter more than people think

Even properly sloped gutters can cause issues if runoff is not redirected far enough. In Scottsdale, extending downspouts four to six feet away from the building is often enough to prevent pooling near foundations and driveways.

When extensions are not practical, tying downspouts into underground drainage piping can help. That approach moves water to a safer discharge point and keeps surface areas drier during storms. CR Gutters, Inc.™ evaluates slope, soil behavior, and discharge distance together, not as isolated fixes.

What happens when pooling is ignored

Standing water can create long-term hazards for the property. Repeated pooling near slab edges often causes soil movement, settling, or cracking. The resulting damage can require expensive repairs.

Driveways are affected too. Water undermines the base material below concrete, leading to uneven sections and visible fractures. These issues often trace back to runoff that was never redirected properly.

Cost of fixing drainage problems

Depending on length and placement, the cost of downspout extensions generally is $50 to $150. Drainage piping tied into downspouts is typically priced at $1,000-$3,000+, based on distance and excavation needs. In Scottsdale, early drainage corrections are almost always less expensive than repairing structural damage later.

Fixing the issue at the source

Water pooling isn’t random. Once runoff paths are identified, the solution becomes clearer. We work with residential and commercial properties to pinpoint where water is landing and why it’s staying there.

If you’re seeing pooling near your foundation or driveway in Scottsdale, call CR Gutters, Inc.™ at (602) 671-3476. We’ll trace how water moves across your roof and ground surfaces and help protect your Scottsdale property before minor drainage issues grow into costly repairs.