Basement Waterproofing Signs

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Signs your
basement needs waterproofing

Unwanted water or moisture in your basement ruins everything it touches. A home with a wet basement is also one of the biggest red flags to prospective home buyers.

These are some signs that you need to stay alert for:

Basement floor cracks and leakage
Wet basement walls
Musty smells
Damp drywall and carpet
Rusty appliances or floor vents
Cove joint seepage
Efflorescence, yellow, orange, or black stains

Signs your
basement needs waterproofing

Unwanted water or moisture in your basement ruins everything it touches. A home with a wet basement is also one of the biggest red flags to prospective home buyers.

These are some signs that you need to stay alert for:

Basement floor cracks and leakage
Wet basement walls
Musty smells
Damp drywall and carpet
Rusty appliances or floor vents
Cove joint seepage
Efflorescence, yellow, orange, or black stains

Leaky Floor

Leaky Floor &
Wall Cracks

Settling can cause your basement floors to crack. Additionally, water can build up outside your foundation resulting in hydrostatic pressure, pushing against foundation walls and forcing leaks into your basement.

When water comes up through the floor or basement walls you need to address it. Installing a perimeter drain system and drainage channel, and sump pump will help direct any water that comes through the cracks and away from your valuables.

Stains

The white chalky powder on your basement walls, also known as efflorescence, is a common sign of moisture in your basement. Usually accompanied by yellow, orange, and/or black stains, moisture is a problem that if not addressed, can make your foundation walls crack and even cause your basement to present leaks.

Even after waterproofing your basement, concrete walls and floors continually absorb moisture from the soil and release it into the air. A reliable, low-maintenance dehumidifier system will ensure your basement and home will stay dry.

tf stains image Waterproofing

Poor Air Quality

Basement Air Quality

Most indoor air quality issues start in dark, wet areas of the house, like the basement or crawl space. Mold thrives in this kind of environment and will commonly be accompanied by a nasty smell. In addition to mold, excess moisture can lead to wood rot, attracting pests like termites and rodents that further compromise your basement air quality. High humidity levels can also exacerbate allergies and respiratory issues, especially for those with asthma. Addressing basement air quality problems not only improves air quality but also creates a healthier living environment for your family.

After removing any organic materials (mold) and making sure your waterproofing system is working correctly, you should still consider other airborne hazards, such as dust mites and bacteria. These can also affect your basement air quality and potentially endanger your health. Fortunately, you can prevent them with the use of a dehumidifier.

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TERRAFIRMA IN ACTION

Leaky basement? Moldy odors? You’re not alone. We’ve helped families across Oregon & Washington breathe easier with our Basement Waterproofing Systems. Check out some tips and examples of our waterproofing work here.

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Basements WATERPROOFED,
HOMEOWNERS HAPPY

We take pride in our years of experience making homes dry, safe, and stable. From Ashland to Corvallis, Beaverton to Olympia, our Basement Waterproofing clients have given us great feedback.

I love TerraFirma. We had a new foundation with a sump pump and dehumidifier four years ago. First, it is so great having a dry basement! Each year, TerraFirma sends someone to check the sump pump and the dehumidifier. Jeff did the inspection last year and this year. He showed me what he was doing, documented with pictures, answered my questions and showed up on time! This has been my experience with every interaction I have had from the beginning of the project to the follow-up. Here is a picture of the new foundational wall and my workout area.

Repairing issues in our foundation was a huge project for us. Their staff were prompt, professional, respectful and friendly. We are very happy with their work and working within a narrow crawlspace is not easy! I would recommend this company for your foundation weatherproofing needs.

We discovered water in our basement this past April and first called the competitor who had installed a waterproofing system back in 2015 for the previous owners. Unfortunately, their visit wasn’t very helpful -- they didn’t offer a clear solution or give us much confidence that they even wanted to do any work on our 115-year-old house. That’s when we reached out to TerraFirma for a second opinion, and it was the best decision we could have made. From the very beginning, Jaden, our System Design Specialist, was outstanding. He was thorough, thoughtful, and really listened to our concerns. He walked us through options, answered all our questions, and came up with a solution that felt right for our home. Scheduling with Sammy was easy and helpful - she worked around our vacation schedule, and we always knew what was happening and when. When it came time for the work, Rocky and his team did an excellent job installing our new egress window, while Jorge, Juan, and Scott rebuilt our failed irrigation system from the under-ground up. Both teams were incredibly professional: always on time, tidy, communicative, and respectful of our neighbors (no small feat on our tight street with all the equipment and materials). Rocky went above & beyond with the window - making adjustments to the position and reinforcing our load bearing areas, and Jorge offered alternative and better solutions for our new sump-pump location that would ensure the functionality of our new system for decades to come. Every step of the process with TerraFirma exceeded our expectations. We honestly wish we had found them sooner for all our home projects. They turned what started as a stressful basement issue turned into a smooth and positive experience. Highly recommend! Thank you all for your help - we're so happy with how everything turned out!

After I bought a 115 year old house built partially into a hill near the top of Council Crest in Portland and discovered that the walls bled water when it rained, two walls were built into a hill and had endured the pressure of water and mud for a century, causing cracks and turning the foundation to crumbles, I called Terra Firma when an neighbor with an old house told me about her experience. Terra Firma has a great reputation. During the first meeting, Hannah walked the property and made a detailed proposal, explaining how Terra Firma would ensure that the walls do not cave in by shoring them up and anchoring them, supplemented with a vapor lock system to keep the water out of the house. NO MORE MUSTY SMELL, THANK YOU! Hannah explained the plan thoroughly, using her iPad to ensure that I understood. It could not get any better than this...I signed the paperwork immediately and contracted for the foundation repair and upgrade. This week, Geovany and his team spent four days working very hard and very smart to finish the project on time, and without any hitches. And they were working hard, very thoughgoing and steadfast. I am extraordinarily pleased with the work of the TerraFirma team, and how they did it. It is obvious by looking at the work that my basement walls are solid, secure, and dry. THANK YOU TerraFirma!

I had a consultation with Riley for some water damage in my basement. He was courteous (took his shoes off before coming in the house), informing and on time. It seems like this team has great communication and I will use them in the future should the need arise! My issue was a smaller drainage problem and door framing issue that needs to be addressed by a different specialty.

We had Terra Firma out to assess some exterior foundation cracks and our concrete entryway settling unevenly. Sam Bryant assisted us and he was incredibly professional, personable, and helpful! Sam walked us through everything he saw, and was direct about what does/does not need attention; we didn’t feel like he was trying to “hard sell” services, more that he was here to help us understand the situation and what’s necessary to resolve it. He spent some time on his own taking measurements and drew up his recommendations, then walked us through them in great detail, including the exact price of each line item. We asked him to give us a quote for basement waterproofing too, and the price was very reasonable. For a free consultation, we got way more than we expected. We feel confident Sam will take care of us and are excited to work with Terra Firma!

TerraFirma is the best. The corner of our older home where the fireplace is located had settled quite a bit. These folks came in, reinforced the area, built supports and were able to raise the corner as if it never happened. I was kept informed of everything being done. Once the job was completeled, they did a follow up inspection to verify it was done correctly and the site cleaned up properly. Amber, our project manager, was absolutely fantastic. Actually, everyone who worked with us was amazing. The crew who came out was friendly, and worked as a great team. I am confident the job was done by the best professionals. If you have any foundation, subfloor or basement problems, these are your go-to guys to have it done once and done right. Thank you, TerraFirma!

Terra firma Oregon City Completed my basement waterproofing project. I want to give a shout out to Antonio , Kameron, Jesse For doing a very fast and efficient job Completing my waterproofing system.

From beginning to end, we experienced professional attitude and work ethic. All the employees we interacted with were pleasant. They finished the job in two days even though they ran into an issue. All work was completed and cleaned up very nicely. We are pleased with the finished product. It is reassuring to know we will NEVER have water intrusion in our basement ever again!

It’s always been a joke in our house: “If you don’t want to be a responsible adult, you’re welcome to live in your mom’s basement.” It was funny because all I had was a dark creepy crawlspace with sharp rocks and whatever the last construction crew left behind. Unlit now. The Terra Firma team did exactly what they promised to do: in a matter of days, they terraformed the entire space under my house into an encapsulated sparkling-clean climate-controlled beauty. With the heat waves coming later this summer, I may be setting up guided tours for curious minds. The tour will include admiring a sump pump and earthquake braces, enjoying the cool clean air, and sliding like penguins on the white encapsulation layer. I haven’t decided on the fees yet, but it will definitely be a no-shoes, white socks-only service and I am NOT kidding about it. Thanks to Terra Firma, “living in yo-momma basement” turned from a threat into a perk.

Terrafirma just completed the EverBrace wall system on our basement and we couldn't be happier. The house has stopped shaking when the tenant upstairs does laundry. Rocky, our project foreman was outstanding to work with. His communication was fantastic. The project site was well managed. He was always realistic about the daily impacts we might feel while the project was underway (it can get quite noisy) and he was able to flex the project noise level so it wouldn't impact our upstairs tenant. Sammy, their project coordinator, stayed in communication with me from the moment our contract was signed through the project completion. The only suggestion we have if you're considering the Everbrace wall system, is that you may need to manage some additional work to prepare for the system. Plumbing electrical and HVAC systems will most likely need to be moved. Factor this in both financially and timewise.

Last year our house flooded due to rising ground water in a daylight basement that we had assumed was sealed and waterproof. Well it wasn't! We hired Terra Firma to do a waterproofing job that included drain lines below ground, drain track around the inside corners, and a sump pump. Our install team (Andrew, Zach, Joey, and Kayden) were amazing. They arrived on time every morning, worked hard all through the day, and were done ahead of schedule. They answered all of our questions and even helped us plan the best way to resurface our finished basement floor so any future water damage would not create long term damage. We could not be happier with Terra Firma and our amazing install crew. Five stars for sure.

Basement Waterproofing Homeowner Questions

Should I be concerned about damp spots on my basement carpet? What should I do?

If you have wet carpet in your basement or damp spots on the floor or baseboards, this could be a sign that you have a leaky basement issue. Wet basements create more problems than just wet carpet. Mold or mildew could be growing under the carpet, which fills the air you breathe with musty odors and hazardous mold spores.

The first step in fixing your leaky basement is finding the source of the water intrusion. Save yourself the hassle. One of our basement waterproofing experts will inspect your basement for waterproofing problems and recommend the best solution for your home.

Why should I trust your methods to waterproof basements?

TerraFirma is more than just your local waterproofing contractor. We are proud to be part of The Basement Systems® International Network, which comprises more than 300 elite basement waterproofing and crawl space repair contractor companies all across the United States and Canada.

As a member of the Basement Systems® International Network, TerraFirma is able to provide our customers with industry-leading products and warranties, while remaining committed to personalized service and custom solutions.

My basement has flooded in the past. What can I do to prevent this?

Basements can flood from a number of areas, including: floor cracks, leaking or burst pipes, leaking windows, hatchway doors, sump pump failure, and water heater failure. Our local experts will help you understand and address the cause of your basement flooding.

How should I handle a wet, leaky basement?

Avoid any electrical hazards – Avoid touching any devices or wires
If possible, pump out any standing water
Dry out and discard any wet non-essential organic materials such as wood
Find the cause of leaking and flooding. Our local experts will help you find the causes and provide you with a tailored solution to your basement.

What are footing drains?

Footing drains are installed just outside the foundation of your home’s basement. These are thick pipes with holes designed to let water flow inside. A layer of stones is put on top of the drainpipe to prevent soil backfill from blocking the pipe. However, with time, backfill can seep through the stones and clog the pipe. Improperly maintained footing drains can lead to a leaky basement.

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