You moved into your new construction home envisioning a perfect lawn and a solid, dry foundation. But after every Florida downpour, you see water pooling against your house, a perpetually soggy yard, or worse—water seeping into your garage or ground floor. This isn't just a nuisance; it's a clear sign of a fundamental construction defect: improper site grading and drainage.

At Green Home Builders, we are experts in diagnosing and permanently correcting the drainage and water intrusion issues that builders leave behind. Your home's foundation is its most critical component; don't let a builder's oversight compromise its integrity.

Poor drainage is a silent threat that can cause catastrophic damage over time. The problem starts outside, but the most severe consequences are often seen inside your home. Look for these critical warning signs:

• Standing Water: Puddles or pooling water that remains for hours or days near your foundation after it rains.
• Soggy or Marshy Lawn: Areas of your yard that are constantly wet, even when it hasn't rained recently.
• Soil Erosion: Dirt washing away from the area directly around your foundation, exposing the concrete slab.
• Water Stains on Foundation: White, chalky residue (efflorescence) or dark water stains on your exterior foundation walls.
• Leaks in Your Garage or First Floor: Water seeping in where the wall meets the floor, especially during heavy rain.
• Cracks in Foundation or Walls: Horizontal or stair-step cracks in your concrete slab or block walls due to soil shifting and hydrostatic pressure.
• Musty Odors & Mold: A persistent damp smell or visible mold growth on baseboards and lower sections of drywall.

If your property exhibits any of these signs, the grading and drainage system designed to protect your home has failed.

Proper water management is one of the most important aspects of home construction, yet it's frequently overlooked in the race to build. Every homesite must be carefully graded to ensure water flows away from the structure. When this is done incorrectly, your home becomes the lowest point, and gravity becomes your enemy.

Common drainage and grading defects include:

• Improper Site Grading: The land around your home should have a positive slope, falling at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet away from the foundation. Many new homes are left with a flat or even a "negative grade," which actively channels water towards the house.
• Compacted Soil: Heavy construction machinery compacts the soil around the foundation, preventing it from absorbing water effectively and causing runoff to pool against the walls.
• Inadequate or Clogged Drainage Systems: Gutters may be too small, downspouts may discharge water right next to the foundation, or necessary systems like French drains were never installed.
• Hydrostatic Pressure: When water saturates the soil around your foundation, it creates immense pressure. This "hydrostatic pressure" forces water through microscopic cracks and joints in the concrete, leading to leaks, major cracks, and structural damage.

Important Notice for Florida Homeowners: You have a limited time to hold your builder financially responsible for fixing construction defects. Under Florida Statute 95.11(3)(c), the Statute of Repose for filing a claim for latent construction defects like improper grading is now 7 years (previously 10 years).

This means you have only 7 years from the date your home was completed to take action. Ignoring a drainage problem doesn't just allow more damage to occur—it can also mean you forfeit your right to have the builder pay for the expensive repairs.

Green Home Builders provides a permanent fix, not a temporary patch. We address the root cause of your water problem with a comprehensive, engineered approach.

Step 1: Comprehensive Drainage & Site AnalysisOur experts conduct a full site evaluation. Using professional-grade tools like a transit level, we measure the slope of your entire property to identify grading deficiencies. We assess soil conditions, existing drainage systems, and map the path water takes during a storm.

Step 2: Detailed Remediation PlanBased on our analysis, we design a custom-tailored solution for your property. We provide you with a clear, detailed plan that outlines exactly what needs to be done to solve your water intrusion issues for good. This documentation is vital for your records and any potential claims.

Step 3: Expert Drainage System Installation & Damage RepairOur experienced crews execute the plan with precision. This can include:

• Re-grading the soil around your foundation to create the proper slope.
• Installing French Drains or Swales to capture and redirect surface and subsurface water.
• Waterproofing foundation walls with professional-grade membranes.
• Extending Gutters and Downspouts to discharge water safely away from the home.
• Repairing any Foundation Cracks and restoring Interior Damage caused by water intrusion, including mold remediation.

• Drainage & Grading Specialists: We are not general contractors; we are experts in water management and building science.
• Florida Water Experts: We design solutions built to withstand Florida's intense rainfall and high water tables.
• Foundation Protection First: Our primary goal is to protect the structural integrity of your home for the long term.
• Comprehensive Solutions: We handle everything from the initial site survey to the final interior restoration.