A Cumming, Georgia homeowner had water streaming into a finished basement during prolonged rain and expected to be told they needed an interior drainage system and sump pump. A proper diagnosis showed otherwise. Schmitt Waterproofing traced the water to a specific defect in the poured concrete foundation, sealed it with polyurethane injection, corrected the exterior grade, and finished the entire project in a single day.
| Location | Cumming, GA 30028 (Forsyth County) |
| Project Date | July 22, 2026 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Project Type | Polyurethane Crack and Penetration Injection, Exterior Grading |
| Lead | Josh Schmitt, Schmitt Waterproofing, LLC |
| Warranty | 10-Year Transferable Warranty on Polyurethane Injection Repairs |
Project Overview
A homeowner in Cumming, Georgia contacted Schmitt Waterproofing after experiencing significant water intrusion into their finished basement during prolonged rainfall. Water was actively streaming through the foundation where the municipal water service entered the home, causing concern about hidden damage behind the finished walls.
The homeowner initially believed they might require an interior waterproofing system with a sump pump due to the severity of the leak. After performing a detailed evaluation, we determined that the water intrusion was coming through a specific defect in the poured concrete foundation, not from groundwater rising beneath the floor.
By accurately identifying the source of the leak, we were able to recommend a targeted repair that permanently addressed the problem without installing an unnecessary interior drainage system.
The Challenge
The basement leak occurred around the water service line penetration, one of the more common locations for water intrusion in poured concrete foundations. Utility penetrations are a natural weak point because the foundation is cast around a pipe rather than poured as one continuous mass, leaving a seam that can open over time.
During our inspection we identified two contributing factors:
- Water was entering through the water line penetration and an adjacent foundation fracture.
- The exterior grade along the side of the home allowed rainwater to collect against the foundation, increasing the amount of water reaching the wall during heavy storms.
Because the basement was finished, a small section of drywall needed to be removed to expose the affected area for repair. Finished basements add a step to any foundation repair, and it is worth knowing about that step before work begins rather than discovering it mid-project.
Our Assessment and the Interior Repair
Rather than recommending an interior drainage system, we addressed the actual points where water was entering the home. After carefully preparing the wall surface, our technicians injected:
- One foundation fracture extending approximately 9 feet.
- One leaking water service line penetration.
Low-pressure polyurethane injection completely penetrated the thickness of the foundation wall, expanding inside the voids to create a watertight seal that prevents future water intrusion. The low-pressure method matters here: it gives the material time to travel the full depth of the defect and fill the voids rather than being forced past them, which is what produces a seal through the wall instead of a patch on its face.
Both repairs were completed with our 10-year transferable warranty.
Exterior Grading Improvements
To reduce the amount of surface water reaching the repaired area, we also:
- Delivered approximately one cubic yard of compactable fill dirt.
- Regraded roughly 75 square feet along the side of the home.
- Compacted the new soil to promote positive drainage away from the foundation.
- Finished the disturbed area with grass seed and straw for erosion protection.
Although the grading adjustment was relatively small, improving surface drainage helps reduce unnecessary water against the foundation during heavy rainfall. Compaction is the part that is easy to skip and costly to skip: loose fill settles into a low spot within a season and recreates the exact condition the grading was meant to fix.
Why Proper Diagnosis Matters
Not every basement leak requires an interior waterproofing system.
When water is entering through a crack or utility penetration in a poured concrete foundation, polyurethane injection often provides the most direct and cost-effective long-term solution by sealing the defect through the full thickness of the wall.
Interior drainage systems serve an important purpose when groundwater is entering beneath the floor slab, but they are not designed to stop water from passing through a foundation wall. The two approaches solve different problems. An interior system manages water that has already reached the home and routes it out safely, which is the correct answer when hydrostatic pressure is pushing groundwater up under the slab. It is the wrong answer when a single identifiable defect in the wall is the entry point.
Correctly identifying how water is entering the basement ensures homeowners receive the right repair instead of paying for a system that does not address the source of the problem. In this case, the difference was a one-day targeted repair rather than a multi-day system installation.
The Results
The entire project was completed in a single day.
By combining polyurethane injection with minor grading improvements, we eliminated the source of water intrusion without requiring an interior drainage system or sump pump.
This project demonstrates why proper diagnosis is critical. Many basement leaks can be solved by sealing the actual defect in the foundation wall rather than simply managing the water after it has already entered the basement.
Project Highlights
Services Provided
- Polyurethane Foundation Crack Injection
- Water Line Penetration Repair
- Exterior Grading Correction
- Seed and Straw Restoration
Materials Used
- Low-Pressure Polyurethane Injection Resin
- Injection Ports and Surface Sealer
- Compactable Fill Dirt (approximately 1 cubic yard)
- Grass Seed and Straw
Warranty
- 10-Year Transferable Warranty on Polyurethane Injection Repairs
Water Coming Through Your Foundation Wall?
If water is entering around a pipe penetration, a visible crack, or anywhere along a poured concrete wall, the repair you need depends entirely on where the water is getting in. That is a diagnosis question before it is a product question. Schmitt Waterproofing offers free, no-pressure inspections across Forsyth County and North Georgia, and we will tell you when the smaller repair is the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did this basement not need a sump pump and interior drainage system?
Because the water was not coming up from beneath the floor slab. It was passing through a defect in the foundation wall, specifically the water service line penetration and an adjacent fracture. An interior drainage system collects groundwater below the slab, so it would not have stopped water entering through the wall above it. Sealing the defect addressed the actual entry point.
What is polyurethane crack injection and how long does it last?
Low-pressure polyurethane resin is injected into the crack or penetration, where it travels through the full thickness of the wall and expands inside the voids to form a watertight seal. Because the material fills the defect rather than coating its surface, the repair is permanent. These repairs carry our 10-year transferable warranty.
Why do leaks happen at water line penetrations?
The foundation is cast around the pipe rather than poured as one continuous mass, which leaves a seam. Over time, minor settlement, vibration, or shrinkage can open that seam enough for water to pass through under pressure. It is one of the more common intrusion points we see in poured concrete foundations.
Will you have to cut into my finished basement wall?
Sometimes, yes. On this project a small section of drywall was removed to expose the affected area. We identify that need during the inspection and tell you before work begins so there are no surprises.
Does regrading alone fix a basement leak?
Usually not on its own. Grading reduces how much water loads against the foundation, which is valuable, but it does not seal an existing defect in the wall. Here we did both: injection sealed the entry point, and grading reduced the water reaching it. Correct compaction of the new fill is essential, otherwise it settles and the low spot returns.
How long does a project like this take?
This one was completed in a single day, including the interior injection and the exterior grading work. Targeted repairs are typically much faster than full system installations, which is another reason accurate diagnosis is worth the time.
