With the amount of rain coming down in our area, it is likely many water springs that lay dormant will begin to run. I believe this to stem from the increase of water running through the aquifers. When the aquifers dramatically increase their volume of water, springs that are dry 99% of the time come alive. With large tracks of farm and ranch land being developed, the potential for these springs to be in a backyard (or elsewhere near your house) are high.

One year, I had the right inspector locate one in the back yard of a house in Central Austin – 78703 zip code, just off Westover & Mopac. There is nothing you can do except extensive work toward directing the water around the improved structure/house.

French drains are commonly used, and are usually very expensive due to the time, labor, materials and expected performance. French drains are also used if the topograghy around the improved structure/house/building aims at the back of the house or front of the house – again to get the water around and continue its flow away from coming inside.

It was considered the spring located in Central Austin was the result of a number of newer houses being built on previously existing lots with smaller homes (smaller footprints, less concrete, less impervious cover ‘up hill’ than after the new larger homes were finished). Good referrals to Engineers, Hydrologists, Inspectors are great sources to learn more.