A Duluth, Georgia homeowner had been dealing with basement water intrusion during heavy rain, with roughly ten visible foundation wall fractures and several suspected entry points. Other contractors had proposed a standard interior drainage system. Over five days in January, Schmitt Waterproofing installed a solution that addressed the interior, the exterior, and the structure itself. Here is what we found and what we did about it.
| Location | Duluth, GA 30097 (Gwinnett County) |
| Project Dates | January 19 to January 23 |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Project Type | Interior and Exterior Waterproofing, Foundation Reinforcement |
| Lead | Josh Schmitt, Schmitt Waterproofing, LLC |
| Warranty | Lifetime Transferable on Interior Waterproofing System |
The Challenge
A homeowner in Duluth, Georgia contacted Schmitt Waterproofing after experiencing water intrusion in their basement during heavy rain events. The homeowner had observed several cracks in the foundation wall and believed water may have been entering through the cove joint, where the basement floor meets the foundation wall.
Because the home featured a four-sided brick exterior, finger space leakage was also a potential source of water intrusion. The homeowner was unsure how long the problem had existed, though the condition of some areas suggested they had been leaking for years.
Prior to contacting Schmitt Waterproofing, the homeowner had received proposals from other contractors recommending a traditional interior drainage system.
Our Assessment
During our onsite evaluation, we identified multiple conditions that could contribute to basement water intrusion.
The home contained approximately ten visible foundation wall fractures that could potentially allow water to enter during periods of elevated soil moisture. We also identified exterior conditions that warranted further attention, including foundation waterproofing concerns and roof runoff management near the affected area.
Rather than focusing on a single symptom, we discussed both targeted repair options and comprehensive waterproofing solutions with the homeowner. Presenting both is deliberate: the homeowner should understand what a narrower repair would and would not address before deciding what to spend. After reviewing the available approaches, the homeowner elected to move forward with a full interior waterproofing system combined with exterior foundation waterproofing improvements and structural reinforcement.
Why the Basement Was Leaking
Like many homes in North Georgia, this property was experiencing hydrostatic pressure around the foundation. As soil becomes saturated during heavy rain events, water seeks the path of least resistance and can enter through foundation cracks, cove joints, construction joints, or finger spaces.
In this case, multiple potential entry points existed, making it difficult to attribute the issue to a single source without addressing the overall water management conditions surrounding the foundation. This is the practical problem with chasing one leak at a time: seal a crack while the cove joint and finger space remain open, and the water simply finds the next opening. The pressure has not gone anywhere.
To provide the highest level of protection, a comprehensive waterproofing strategy was selected.
The Solution: Interior Waterproofing System
Schmitt Waterproofing installed approximately 135 linear feet of Guardian subfloor drainage system around the basement perimeter.
To complete the installation, approximately 10 inches of concrete was removed along the foundation walls. The drainage system was installed beneath the slab to intercept groundwater before it could enter the basement living space.
The system was connected to a newly installed sump basin equipped with:
- 1/3 HP primary sump pump
- DC-powered battery backup pump system
- Check valve assembly
- Underground discharge line
- Freeze guard protection
- Pop-up emitter discharge location
The battery backup is not an upsell. Basements flood during storms, and storms are when power fails. A primary pump with no backup is a system that is offline at the exact moment it is needed.
Following installation, the concrete slab was restored to provide a clean, finished appearance. A 12-mil vapor barrier was installed on foundation wall surfaces throughout the system area to help manage moisture migration and improve overall basement conditions.
Foundation Reinforcement
During the project, foundation wall movement concerns were also addressed through the installation of four carbon fiber corner reinforcement straps.
The straps were installed approximately 12 inches on center to provide additional structural support and help stabilize the affected foundation wall area. Carbon fiber is used here because it resists the tensile forces that cause wall cracking without requiring the excavation and wall-anchor hardware that heavier interventions demand.
Exterior Waterproofing Improvements
To further reduce moisture loading against the foundation, approximately 20 linear feet of foundation wall was excavated to the footing.
The exposed wall surface was cleaned and prepared before receiving a new elastomeric waterproofing membrane.
A new exterior French drain system was installed at the footing level using perforated pipe and washed gravel to relieve groundwater pressure before it could reach the foundation wall.
Additionally, approximately 25 linear feet of underground drainage pipe was installed to collect and redirect roof runoff from a nearby gutter downspout away from the foundation. Roof runoff is one of the largest and most controllable sources of water loading a foundation, and it is routinely overlooked when the diagnosis stops at the basement wall.
Basement Ventilation
To improve air circulation and help manage basement humidity levels, a dedicated basement ventilation system was installed through the rim joist with a louvered exterior vent termination. Keeping liquid water out is only part of the job. Managing the humidity that remains is what keeps a basement feeling dry rather than merely being dry.
The Results
The completed project addressed multiple potential sources of water intrusion while providing long-term groundwater management both inside and outside the home.
The new subfloor drainage system now captures groundwater before it can enter the finished basement space, while the sump pump system safely removes collected water away from the foundation.
Exterior waterproofing improvements help reduce hydrostatic pressure against the foundation wall, and the newly installed footing drain provides an additional layer of protection by intercepting groundwater before it reaches the structure.
The addition of carbon fiber reinforcement straps further improved the long-term stability of the affected foundation wall.
By combining interior waterproofing, exterior waterproofing, drainage improvements, and structural reinforcement into a single project, the homeowner received a comprehensive solution designed to provide long-term protection against basement water intrusion. The project was completed in five days, and the homeowner was pleased that the system was installed exactly as outlined and proposed.
In the Homeowner’s Words
I had an excellent experience working with Schmitt Waterproofing. From the first conversation through completion of the job, they were efficient, transparent, and highly professional.
While other companies focused on selling their products and explaining why they were the best, Josh Schmitt took the time to understand my specific situation and recommend a solution tailored to my home’s actual needs. That level of honesty and focus on the right solution is hard to find these days.
I would absolutely recommend Schmitt Waterproofing without hesitation.
Verified homeowner, Duluth, GA
Project Highlights
Services Provided
- Interior Basement Waterproofing
- Guardian Subfloor Drainage System Installation
- Sump Pump Installation
- Battery Backup Pump System
- Foundation Crack Evaluation
- Carbon Fiber Foundation Reinforcement
- Exterior Foundation Waterproofing
- French Drain Installation
- Downspout Drainage Improvements
- Basement Ventilation System Installation
Materials Used
- Guardian Subfloor Drainage System
- 12-Mil Vapor Barrier
- Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane
- Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Straps
- Primary Sump Pump System
- DC Battery Backup Pump
- Perforated Foundation Drain Pipe
- SDR Drainage Piping
Warranty
- Lifetime Transferable Warranty on Interior Waterproofing System
Seeing Water in Your Basement?
If you are seeing water at the cove joint, cracks in a foundation wall, or moisture that returns every time it rains hard, the right first step is a proper diagnosis rather than a product pitch. Schmitt Waterproofing offers free, no-pressure inspections throughout Gwinnett County and North Georgia. We will show you what we find and explain your options, including the ones that cost less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why install both interior and exterior waterproofing on the same home?
They solve different halves of the problem. Interior drainage manages groundwater that has already reached the foundation and gets it out safely. Exterior waterproofing and footing drains reduce the water loading and hydrostatic pressure before it reaches the wall. With multiple potential entry points on this home, addressing only one side would have left the pressure in place.
What is the cove joint and why does it leak?
The cove joint is the seam where the basement floor slab meets the foundation wall. It is not a monolithic pour, so it is a natural path for water under hydrostatic pressure to enter. It is one of the most common intrusion points in North Georgia basements.
What do carbon fiber straps actually do?
They resist the tensile forces that cause foundation walls to bow and crack. Installed at roughly 12 inches on center, they add structural reinforcement to an affected wall area without the excavation required by heavier anchor systems.
Do I really need a battery backup sump pump?
Consider when a sump pump matters most: during a severe storm. That is also when the power is most likely to go out. A DC battery backup keeps the system running through an outage, which is precisely the scenario a primary pump alone cannot cover.
Is the warranty transferable if I sell the house?
Yes. The interior waterproofing system carries a lifetime transferable warranty, which passes to the next owner and can be a meaningful asset at resale.
How long does a comprehensive basement waterproofing project take?
This project took five days, from January 19 to January 23. Duration depends on the linear footage of drainage, the amount of concrete removal required, and whether exterior excavation and structural reinforcement are part of the scope.
