Dear James: Our last house had drainage problems after storms. When we select a lot to build our new house, what steps should be taken to evaluate possible drainage issues?—Jessica R. Dear Jessica: When selecting a lot for a new house, most people think poor drainage can just make the yard muddy or harm landscaping. The potential problems from poor drainage can cause much more severe damage to the house structure itself. It can also be unhealthy to have a chronically damp lot. Once you have located a lot that appears to meet your building requirements, evaluating drainage conditions should be one of your next steps. Many factors, such as the type of soil, local topography, orientation, and exposure to the sun and wind will impact how well and how fast a lot will drain after a storm. Hopefully, you have some time to make your lot selection decision. After …