How an Exterior Waterproofing Company Failed Homeowners in Ft Mitchell, Kentucky
Challenge
In the harsh February of 2025, we were called to a home in Villa Hills, KY, to help a frustrated couple. They had lived in their home for 30 years and first noticed basement leaks about six years ago. At that time, they hired a waterproofing company to install an exterior waterproofing system along the problematic side of their home.
Fast forward six years, and the wall started leaking again. When the homeowners contacted the company that had installed the system, they discovered it had gone out of business. Left without options, they tore out their drywall themselves—only to find not just a leaking wall but large cracks in their poured foundation.
This couple's story highlights why exterior waterproofing systems are inferior to interior solutions. When the exterior system was installed, the company excavated around the home, exposing the entire wall. They placed drainage tile near the footer to divert water, but, as with most exterior systems, the drainage tile eventually clogged. This caused the water table outside the wall to rise. Even if the original company were still in business, the only way they could "fix" the issue would have required digging down to the footer again.
The trapped hydrostatic pressure outside the wall didn’t just cause leaks—it forced the wall to bow inward, creating structural damage that could have been avoided with a proper interior system.
Solution
Once our office received the call for help, we sent one of our inspectors for a free diagnosis. While we already had a strong idea of how to fix the problem, we wanted to meet the homeowners in person, take exact measurements, and confirm their experience.
When our inspector examined the exposed wall, they ran their hand along the crack to check for inward movement. The slight bump in the crack depth confirmed that the wall was indeed bowing inward. Given this, we recommended not only waterproofing the basement but also stabilizing the wall to prevent further structural damage.
Side Note:
Running your hand over a crack in a poured foundation wall can help determine whether it was caused by settling (downward movement) or bowing (inward movement). In this case, the difference in depth between the areas above and below the crack confirmed inward movement.
The Installation:
We began by installing our interior waterproofing system, a far less invasive solution than exterior waterproofing. First, we dug a trench along the basement floor next to the problematic wall to house our subfloor drainage system. We then installed our WaterGuard® drains in the trench and connected them to our TripleSafe™ sump pump. The TripleSafe™ includes three separate pumps: a primary pump, a secondary backup pump, and a battery-powered third pump for emergencies—making it the most secure option, especially for finished basements.
Next, we stabilized the wall using our PowerBrace™ system. Unlike standard steel I-beams, our PowerBraces™ are designed to prevent floor joist damage while providing exceptional durability. Coated in zinc, they resist rust, scratches, and corrosion. These beams were placed in trenches at the base of the wall and secured to the floor joists at the top. Thanks to their adjustable design, PowerBraces™ can even straighten walls over time in certain cases.
Once both systems were installed, we sealed the trench with a fresh layer of concrete, effectively concealing the drainage system and the base of the beams. Our waterproofing system and PowerBraces™ work together seamlessly—the waterproofing system relieves hydrostatic pressure on the wall, while the PowerBraces™ ensure the wall stops shifting inward (and may even help straighten it).
The homeowners were incredibly relieved, knowing their basement was now protected by a company with 38 years of experience and counting. If this interior drainage system were to have some kinks in the future, we will be able to service them swiftly and easily, thanks to our interior design.
