Most homeowners focus on the pool itself—the shape, the finish, the features.
Very few think about what happens when it rains.
But in South Louisiana, drainage isn’t a small detail—it’s one of the most important parts of your entire project. And it’s also one of the areas where builders are most likely to cut corners.
Water Always Wins
This isn’t an opinion—it’s reality.
If you don’t control where water goes, it will:
- Run under your decking
- Collect against your pool shell
- Wash out soil over time
- Find low spots and create standing water
You can build a beautiful pool, but if the drainage isn’t handled correctly, it won’t stay that way.
What Good Drainage Planning Actually Looks Like
Proper drainage isn’t just throwing in a drain or two. It’s a system.
A builder who takes this seriously will:
- Plan elevations before construction starts
- Ensure water flows away from the pool and home
- Use channel drains, catch basins, and proper piping where needed
- Tie everything into a discharge point that actually works
It should all be intentional—not an afterthought.
The Problem With “It’ll Be Fine”
A lot of drainage issues come from one mindset: “It’ll be fine.”
That usually leads to:
- Flat decking with nowhere for water to go
- Drains that don’t actually drain anywhere
- Low spots that hold water after every rain
These aren’t expensive problems to prevent—but they can be expensive to fix later.
Why Cheaper Builders Skip This
Drainage takes time, planning, and additional material.
It’s not something you can show off in a quick sales meeting, and it doesn’t always stand out in photos. So when a builder is trying to lower their price, this is one of the first areas to get minimized.
The problem is—you don’t notice it until after the project is done.
How to Protect Yourself as a Homeowner
You don’t need to be an expert—but you should ask the right questions:
- Where will water go when it rains?
- How is the deck graded?
- What happens to water collected in drains?
- Where does it discharge?
If a builder can’t clearly answer those questions, that’s a red flag.
Final Thought
A pool should add to your backyard—not create problems every time it rains.
Drainage isn’t the most exciting part of a pool build, but it’s one of the most important. When it’s done right, you never think about it.
When it’s done wrong, you deal with it every time it storms.
LET’S GET STARTED
For any inquiries, questions or commendations, please call: (225) 274-7321 or submit the form below.