Most drainage issues are caused by an insufficient pitch or slope in your yard, which prevents water runoff from being channeled away from the home. A slope of 3% or greater is usually necessary to avoid drainage issues. It is best to utilize a French drain or catch basins. To move water away, you can also build a low region known as a swale (shallow gully). However, it is usually preferred to have runoff water flow naturally overland rather than using catch basins or French drains, which frequently choke over time.