When recent tree removal changed how stormwater moved across a Cumming, Georgia property, the homeowner was left with concentrated runoff, eroding soil, and water collecting in multiple low areas. Schmitt Waterproofing designed and installed a comprehensive drainage system over four days in June 2026. Here is how the project was assessed, engineered, and confirmed after several heavy rain events.
| Location | Cumming, GA (Forsyth County) |
| Project Dates | June 2 to June 5, 2026 |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Project Type | Yard Drainage System, Dry Creek Bed, Erosion Control |
| Lead | Josh Schmitt, Schmitt Waterproofing, LLC |
| Follow-Up Visit | July 2, 2026 |
The Challenge
A homeowner in Cumming, Georgia was dealing with significant stormwater runoff moving across the property during heavy rain events. Water was collecting in multiple low areas, contributing to erosion, overwhelming landscape beds, and creating concerns about long-term property damage.
The property’s natural topography concentrated runoff from several areas of the yard, including roof drainage from multiple downspouts. Existing drainage measures were unable to effectively manage the volume of water being generated during major storms.
The problem was recent rather than long-standing. Tree removal on the property had changed how water moved across the site, and the root systems that once helped anchor soil and slow runoff were no longer there to do that work. Homeowners often notice drainage problems appear within a single season after significant tree loss, which is exactly what happened here.
Our Assessment
After evaluating the property, we determined that the drainage issues required more than a simple French drain or isolated catch basin. The amount of runoff being generated called for a comprehensive drainage system capable of collecting water from multiple sources and safely transporting it to an appropriate discharge location.
To provide long-term performance, we designed a system that combined surface water collection, underground stormwater conveyance, erosion control measures, and landscape restoration. Sizing matters on a site like this one: undersized pipe is one of the most common reasons a drainage system underperforms during the storms it was built for. We specified 8-inch mainline pipe rather than the more typical 4-inch to give the system capacity headroom during peak flow.
The Solution
Schmitt Waterproofing constructed a custom drainage system featuring:
- Approximately 140 linear feet of 8-inch SDR-35 storm pipe
- Approximately 65 linear feet of 4-inch SDR-35 storm pipe
- One 18-inch catch basin
- Three 12-inch catch basins
- Four gutter downspouts tied directly into the underground drainage system
- Individual cleanouts installed at each downspout connection
To address erosion and safely manage concentrated surface runoff, we also constructed a decorative dry creek bed system measuring approximately 150 feet long by 4 feet wide. The creek bed was built using commercial-grade silt fabric and a combination of 4-inch to 12-inch river rock to create both a functional drainage feature and an attractive landscape element.
A secondary dry creek bed discharge area was constructed near the wooded portion of the property to allow collected water to disperse naturally while minimizing erosion concerns.
Additional grading improvements were performed throughout the project area using excavated soil where possible, and disturbed areas were restored with seed, straw, and long-needle pine straw mulch.
The Challenge Behind the Challenge: Working Around Septic Lines
Septic lines ran directly through the area of work. That constraint shaped the entire installation. Every trench line and basin location had to be planned and excavated with care to avoid disturbing the septic system, which meant hand work in sensitive areas and routing decisions that balanced hydraulic performance against what could safely be dug.
This is the kind of detail that separates a drainage plan drawn on paper from one that survives contact with a real property. A crew that trenches first and asks questions later can turn a drainage project into a septic repair. Our crew located the lines, worked around them, and delivered the designed system without incident.
The Results
The completed drainage system now captures runoff from multiple collection points across the property and transports it through a high-capacity underground pipe network. The dry creek bed provides controlled surface water management while helping protect the landscape from future erosion.
By combining large-diameter SDR-35 piping with strategically placed catch basins and engineered dry creek beds, the homeowner received a comprehensive drainage solution designed to manage significant stormwater volumes and provide long-term protection for the property.
The project was completed on schedule in four days, and the homeowner was pleased with the outcome.
Verified After Real Rain: The 30-Day Follow-Up
We returned to the property on July 2, 2026 for a standard follow-up visit. On any project involving fresh grading and backfill, some settlement is normal in the first month as soil consolidates. The purpose of the visit was to find those spots and correct them before they became problems.
We addressed a few areas that had settled slightly and made minor corrections. More importantly, the homeowner reported that after several rain events the system was working well and had solved the issues she originally called us about. That is the confirmation that matters: not a dry-weather walkthrough, but performance during the actual storms the system was designed to handle.
A follow-up visit is standard practice on projects like this one. Drainage systems are judged by how they perform under load, and the only honest way to verify that is to go back after the rain has come.
Project Highlights
Services Provided
- Yard Drainage System Installation
- Dry Creek Bed Construction
- Catch Basin Installation
- Downspout Drainage Connections
- Erosion Control
- Property Grading and Restoration
Materials Used
- 8-inch SDR-35 PVC Pipe
- 4-inch SDR-35 PVC Pipe
- River Rock (4-inch to 12-inch)
- Non-Woven Geotextile Fabric
- Seed, Straw, and Pine Straw Restoration
Dealing With a Similar Drainage Problem?
If tree removal, grading changes, or heavy North Georgia storms have left water moving across your property in ways it did not before, the fix starts with an honest assessment of where the water is actually going. Schmitt Waterproofing offers free, no-pressure inspections across Forsyth County and the surrounding North Georgia area. We recommend the solution your property needs, not the one that sells best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was an 8-inch storm pipe used instead of a standard 4-inch pipe?
The volume of runoff on this property justified the larger diameter. An 8-inch mainline carries substantially more water than a 4-inch line, which gives the system capacity to handle peak flow during major storms rather than backing up when it matters most. Pipe sizing should follow the water volume, not a default spec.
Can a dry creek bed actually handle drainage, or is it just decorative?
A properly built dry creek bed does real work. Ours is built on commercial-grade geotextile fabric with graded 4-inch to 12-inch river rock, sized and sloped to carry concentrated surface runoff to a controlled discharge point. The decorative appearance is a bonus, not the purpose.
How does tree removal cause drainage problems?
Trees intercept rainfall, slow runoff, and their root systems hold soil in place. When mature trees come out, that water has to go somewhere and the soil holding the slope loses its anchor. Homeowners frequently see new erosion and pooling within the first rainy season after significant tree removal.
How long does a project like this take?
This one took four days, from June 2 to June 5, 2026. Timelines depend on linear footage, site access, soil conditions, and obstacles such as the septic lines on this property. We provide a realistic schedule with the estimate.
What happens if the ground settles after the work is done?
Some settlement is normal in the first weeks after trenching and grading. That is why we schedule a follow-up visit, as we did here on July 2, 2026, to correct any settled areas and confirm the system is performing after real rain.
