Question
QUESTION: I live in League City and somehow my yard is higher than my patio and having flooding in other areas of yard. Who should I contact to fix the problem and heard of french drains do they work? Desperately need to know who to contact. My home is in a subdivision. There used to be a lot of forest land surrounding but that has given way to clearing and other homes being built. Could this have caused subsidence?

ANSWER: Hi Jerri, Any reputable landscape company can fix your problem.  It may be fixed by surface grading alone, or in may indeed need French drains.  French drains collect water and take it through underground pipes to a lower area.  Get several estimates and check their record with your local Better Business Bureau. French drains work well if they are installed correctly, but they are a nightmare if done wrong.
The rate of surface flow changes with any clearing.  Direction changes are usually associated with grading.  If nearby construction has recently caused the problem, I'd talk with the builders and see if they will willingly help solve your problem.
It sounds however from your description that your builder graded improperly.  Jim

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QUESTION: My house was built in 1997. About year and half ago neighbor next door put in a pool totally messed up my yard because I gave her permission to take fence down so machinery could dig out pool. Wish I had said no. Flooding is also on that side of house besides patio area that I mentioned near other side of house. Can you explain how a yard would get higher than patio slab I am baffled. Thank you for your info.

ANSWER: Water can undermine a patio slab causing it to settle or soil washes in and accumulates in your yard.  These are the only two things that can change true elevation.  However, I don't think either has happened.  I think the pool is the culprit.  Swimming pools significantly change the surface runoff. Previously, the existing grade handled the runoff.  Pools cause more water to drain through the same area, increasing the depth of the water.  If the slope prevents the speed of the water from increasing to accommodate the increased volume, then the water backs into areas where is hasn't before.
This is going to be your cure.  The water will need to be captured and channeled quickly to a lower spot.  I feel your pain.  I live on a corner lot with pools behind and beside me. My back yard floods in heavy rain, but drains within 24 hours.  Jim

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QUESTION: How do I capture and channel quickly when it rains, it floods immediately.
The person next door put a trench and it floods as well. I think the elevation in new pool yard is higher than mine now so I am just really need help. I thank you for all your advise and glad to know what have suspected that the pool; has caused this. For Godsakes anyone who asks for permission to take your fence down for a Pool PLEASE SAY NO....NO NO NO.

Answer
Here are your options:  
A dry creek.  This is my preference and what I've done in my yard.  During a rain I marked the deepest flow.  Then removed soil to make the path deeper, lined it with pond line(r (landscape fabric will work#, bordered it with large to medium fieldstone and filled the creek with smaller rock.  Then landscaped around it.
A french drain.  A trench #size depends on flow), lined with landscape fabric, one or more 4" perforated pipe from one end to the other that is encased in clean, coarse gravel. This will not drain as fast, but it does work well.  Only the heaviest of rainfalls may exceed the drain rate.  
Catch basins.  These are like underground trash cans with a grate lid, usually covered with landscape fabric or hardware cloth to keep out leaves and larger trash.  One or more of these are buried in the trouble area, water flows in the top and they all connect to underground pipe which carries the water to the lowest spot where you want it to go.
You may want to have a contractor or two come out and give you a bid even if you plan on doing the work yourself.  You'll know what they intend to do to solve the problem.  Jim