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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
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.

Before and After

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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.

Basement Waterproofing in Portland, OR

Basement Waterproofing in Portland, OR

5 Step In-Home Structural Health Checklist

How to Address Leaky Floors and Wall Cracks in Your Basement

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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.

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Merry
Seth C. was really helpful this morning. It has been raining so much lately and he was able to walk me through all the issues my daylight basement and garage can have and how TerraFirma fixes them. Really appreciate you--/thanks so much Seth
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taiboo S.
My mother-in-law’s house was built in 1962 and has had basement water issues for more than 40 years. We’ve spent so much money trying to fix it over the years, but TerraFirma Foundation Systems completely transformed the situation—it feels like magic.

Thank you to the team: Casey from sales and the crew members Antonio, Jessi, and Casey. The three musketeers worked efficiently and truly operated as a team. Thank you for bringing such an incredible change to my mother-in-law’s home!

One suggestion for management: please focus on bringing happiness to your customers rather than worrying too much about potential lawsuits.
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Nick B.
I had Bailey come out to do an estimate for crawlspace encapsulation and some drainage work in the basement. Bailey spent 2 hours at the house and on the phone with me in total (not counting the work he did on his own), doing a very thorough work up of the house and patiently explaining what my options were, and what might be better for my renovation contractor to do. I really appreciated Bailey's willingness to think through different options - some that didn't include work for his company - and teach me about crawlspaces!
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Lake James P.
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!
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Jonny B.
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.
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Ricky T.
Sam was able to provide an excellent inspection and honest report of my crawlspace waterproofing needs. Didn’t feel rushed or pressured. Was able to educate me to better understand the issues and risks. Thank you so much Sam
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Josh L.
I purchased two waterproofing systems from them a few years back. After the rain the past couple days its time to leave a glowing review. They did an interior drain in my basement and a separate drain tile system in my crawlspace. Both systems have been working flawlessly for 3 or 4 years now with zero water intrusion into my basement that I totally renovated after their install. They've also come out every year as promised for servicing. Thankful for connecting with them. After hearing the river of water enter into the pump and it go off every minute or so for nearly 12 hours yesterday, they deserve 5 stars. I would recommend them to anyone.
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Tim S.
We had a great experience with TerraFirma. The crew that waterproofed our basement were Aris, Manuel, and Cristian, and they were super pro and cleaned up everyday after work. This crew was just great, they were friendly and worked hard every day. Give these guys a raise!
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Nadine S.
If you hire this company to put sump pumps in your basement, make sure you know exactly where they are going to put them and where the pipes that will pump the water outside will be coming out of your house.
Even though one guy gives you a diagram ahead of time, that doesn’t mean the guy actually doing the work follows it.
One sump pump was put in our basement just as we expected. The second one was not. We provided new electrical outlets dedicated for use to the sump pumps. The second pump now has cords hanging in mid air barely reaching the new plugs because that pump was not put where they told us it would be. Also, the pipes that take the water away from the house, we expected those to go through the foundation, not through the expensive cedar siding and be exposed on the front of our house! I was horrified to see those holes and said so. My husband redirected them to drill through the foundation so the pipes could not be seen once the work was done. They did that, but now we are left with holes to repair. They did not offer to repair them.
The young men who did the work were kind and respectful and did what they thought were expected of them, but if you hire this company, make sure you know exactly where they are going to put everything and not assume anything even if you have a diagram!
ACg8ocLmwYiAVv nZYRG6x2LKRaZCPUHu OhPDKx2QMmAmPvAiWcDu8=s32 c rp mo ba3 br100 Waterproofing
Emilio C.
We had some basement flooding in our house and after learning the cause, we started the work of getting quotes and inspections from Foundation specialists. When we called TerraFirma, Bailey was able to make time for our inspection within the week. From the jump, Bailey was very communicative, and set expectations upfront. He asked what was going on, looked at some suspected intrusion points and then let me know he'd carry on with the inspection and would let me know when he was ready for me. No awkward standing around or wondering how long it would take. Bailey was very thorough with his inspection and had an impressive presentation once he'd made a diagnosis. He told me his ideas and then asked me mine and we both felt good about the plan walking away from it. Ultimately our timeline didn't work out and we personally had to go a different direction, but if it did I'm confident we'd be in good hands with Bailey and TerraFirma!

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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