Basement Waterproofing Solutions

Learn More

How to Fix leaky and wet
basements?

The technicians at TerraFirma understand that water is a basement’s nemesis. It’s easy for moisture to slip through the cracks, causing mold and mildew growth alongside expensive foundational damage. If leaking water is a problem in your home, we have plenty of basement waterproofing solutions to fix and prevent this reoccurring complication.

The flood drain channels water away from the foundation and directs it to a designated drainage system. A sump pump activates when water levels rise to immediately remove excess water and prevent flooding. Lastly, the vapor barrier prevents mold growth and water damage by blocking moisture in the space.

Based on the condition of your basement, we can find the best basement waterproofing solution for you! Homeowners from Eugene to Keizer, and Vancouver to Tacoma are breathing easier thanks to our systems. Contact TerraFirma today for services in Oregon and Washington.

Drain System

If there is water leaking into your basement, a perimeter drain could be the right option for you. At TerraFirma, we offer a variety of interior drainage systems to help keep your basement dry and clean.

Drain System

WaterGuard® Below Floor Drain

Our most popular drainage system, WaterGuard®, is the ideal solution for most basement waterproofing applications. This interior drain is designed to be installed below the floor slab, resting on top of the foundation footing.

Advantages

  • Installed with minimal invasion of the slab and all concrete is restored after installation.
  • Includes wall flange with 3/8″ opening to collect water from walls.
  • Able to waterproof concrete block foundation walls.
  • Water is collected without the risk of clogs that would halt your system.

Drytrak® BASEBOARD DRAIN PIPE

If your house has a monolithic foundation, or a foundation that comes with the floor and footing as one piece, jackhammering to install a drain system can be very difficult. In those cases, we use our DryTrak® system to avoid any problems. This system installs over the top of the floor, eliminating the need for excessive excavation.

DryTrak® provides the same protection and drainage for water seeping through foundation walls, while also giving the clean, finished appearance of a baseboard. The drain is secured to the floor with only a slight opening at the top, allowing water to flow in and drain to your sump pump. DryTrak® comes with a lifetime written warranty.

FlowGuard® Thin Floor Drain System

Sometimes the concrete floor in a basement is too thin for a drain to be installed on top of the footer. We usually address this challenge with our FlowGuard® Thin Floor System. This system is designed to sit in front of the footing in a bed of drainage stone.

Advantages

  • Quick installation and seamless finish. After installation, the concrete floor is restored over the drain.
  • Includes wall flange with 3/8″ opening to collect water from walls.
  • This system avoids the “mud zone” to prevent any clogging issues.

TrenchLock™ Drain Inserts

TrenchLock™ is an insert that can be installed in an existing trench drain to allow water down without allowing air to come up. The system comes with balls that fit over the drainage holes, which create an airtight seal when there is no water.

Advantages

  • Designed to block unwanted ground air and gasses from entering the basement and home.
  • Easy installation.

VaporLoc Elite Crawl Space Vapor Barrier

VaporLoc Elite is a 100% waterproof, 120 mil thick plastic liner that is perfect for unfinished crawl spaces preventing leaks and mold growth. This crawlspace liner creates a clean, dry, sanitary, usable area. With correct installation it can insulate your crawlspace and reduce energy costs.

Advantages

  • Greatly reduces musty smells, with an EVOH layer that seals out odors.
  • Reduces allergens such as mold and dust mites, improving indoor air quality throughout the home.
  • Seals out soil gasses while eliminating excessive, destructive moisture, which could lead to wood rot.

Lifetime warranty.
Guaranteed.

WaterGuard & DryTrak drainage systems come with a lifetime transferrable warranty. Terms apply.
Lifetime Warranty

Lifetime warranty.
Guaranteed.

WaterGuard & DryTrak drainage systems come with a lifetime transferrable warranty. Terms apply.
Lifetime Warranty

Lifetime warranty.
Guaranteed.

Lifetime Warranty
WaterGuard & DryTrak drainage systems come with a lifetime transferrable warranty. Terms apply.
Sump Pump

Sump Pumps

When water gets into your basement, the sump pump is what protects you from a flood or any leaking that could cause expensive property damage. We offer powerful, quiet and reliable pumps and only professional grade, cast iron equipment.

A sump pump system with dual pumps inside a beige container.

TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System

The TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System provides three levels of protection for your basement and your peace of mind. For normal functioning, the TripleSafe™ has a powerful, Zoeller® ⅓ horsepower sump pump set at the lowest level. For heavy volumes of water or in case of primary pump failure, a second, more powerful Zoeller® ½ hp pump set a bit higher in the liner will take over. In case of a power outage, our UltraSump® battery backup sump pump, set at the highest level, will pump 11,500 gallons or more on a fully charged battery.

Advantages

  • ⅓ hp primary pump can discharge 2,220 gallons of water per hour at an 8-foot head.
  • ½ hp secondary pump can discharge as much as 3,900 additional gallons of water per hour at an 8-foot head.
  • In the case of a tripped circuit, power outage, or sump failure, your TripleSafe™’s UltraSump® Battery Backup System will kick in.
  • Can support a second battery to achieve extended running time.
Battery backup sump pump system with components laid out.

UltraSump® Battery Backup System

UltraSump® Battery Backup System ensures continued protection in the event of power loss. The battery backup will automatically kick in and begin removing water from your basement, preventing a flood. The UltraSump® system can pump out in excess of 11,500 gallons of water on a fully charged battery.

Advantages

  • Comes with an alarm in case of power failure, sounding when the backup pump is running and silencing when power is restored.
  • The alarm also protects you in case the main system is accidentally unplugged.

SuperSump® Premier Sump Pump System

If you have had occasional water issues but not severe leaks or flooding, the SuperSump® is an effective and more economical solution option for your home.

Advantages

  • ⅓ hp primary pump can discharge 2,220 gallons of water per hour at an 8-foot head.
  • Optional UltraSump® Battery Backup Sump Pump, which can pump out 11,500 gallons or more on a single charge.

Wall Vapor Barrier

Even if you’re not planning on finishing your basement, our wall panels can create a cleaner, brighter appearance while insulating and waterproofing your basement walls.

VaporLock Wall Vapor Barrier

VaporLoc Wall system

VaporLoc Elite is a 100% waterproof plastic vapor barrier that is perfect for unfinished basement walls preventing leaks and mold growth. Unlike paint and materials that adhere to the walls, VaporLoc is mechanically attached to your basement walls and it will never chip, peel, or flake away from the concrete

Advantages

  • VaporLoc Elite will direct any water coming through the wall into your drainage system.
  • Great way to cover large boulders, uneven surfaces or dirt sections of basement walls and floors.
  • With a 25-year warranty for wear and tear, it’s durable, washable, and has UltraFresh antimicrobial protection.
  • Quick Install. Between 1-2 days.

What’s the Best Fix for Leaky, Wet Basements?

Homeowners in Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, and across the damp Pacific Northwest know that preventing leaks and mold growth is essential for healthy living. TerraFirma is the region’s exclusive provider of the industry-leading VaporLoc Elite vapor barrier system.

Let’s see how TerraFirma’s VaporLoc Elite vapor barrier stacks up to other solutions:

    VaporLoc Elite BrightWall® CleanSpace®
Applications Basement Waterproofing tf expert check barrier tf expert check barrier tf expert check barrier
  Crawl Space Encapsualation tf expert check barrier    
Benefits Visual appeal at install tf expert check barrier   tf expert check barrier
  Complete Seal tf expert check barrier    
  Mold Resistant tf expert check barrier tf expert check barrier tf expert check barrier
  Off gassed odors (VOCs) None   Has off gassing
  Cost $$ $$$ $
Material & Installation Flexible Waterproof Sheeting tf expert check barrier   tf expert check barrier
  Vapor barrier thickness 120 mil   20 mil
  Rigid plastic panels   tf expert check barrier  
  Double sealed waterproof seams tf expert check barrier    
  Install on unfinished walls tf expert check barrier tf expert check barrier tf expert check barrier
  Install around even surfaces and irregular walls tf expert check barrier   tf expert check barrier

25-year warranty.
Guaranteed.

VaporLoc Elite has transferrable 25 year warranty for a 100% seal of soil odor and gasses.
25 Year Warranty

25-year warranty.
Guaranteed.

VaporLoc Elite has transferrable 25 year warranty for a 100% seal of soil odor and gasses.
25 Year Warranty

25-year warranty.
Guaranteed.

Lifetime Warranty
VaporLoc Elite has transferrable 25 year warranty for a 100% seal of soil odor and gasses.

Schedule your free
Basement Evaluation

Book Now

Dehumidifiers

Even a basement with an effective waterproofing system can still develop moisture, and mold problems and may feel damp. Our latest generation SaniDry™ dehumidifiers circulate dry air throughout the space, aggressively drying out your basement or crawl space. Collected water can be drained into a sump pump pit, a section of your perimeter drain, or away via a condensate pump.

Dehumidifiers
SaniDry Sedona Dehumidifier

SaniDry Sedona Dehumidifier

The SaniDry Sedona is the world’s most efficient, high-performance dehumidifier and filtration system, without a bulky heat exchange core. With its small size, it takes up less space in a basement and easily fits in small crawl spaces.

Advantages

  • Automatic drainage and humidity sensing.
  • Filters mold spores, dust mite droppings, dust and other particles.
  • Removes up to 95 pints of water per day moving over 300 cubic feet of dry air per minute.
  • Can be ducted to reduce noise levels.
SaniDry

SaniDry XP Upright Dehumidifier

The SaniDry™ XP Basement Air System is a powerful and effective dehumidifier that’s designed to perform in extremely damp environments such as basements or crawl spaces. This model can easily be stored in a corner or closet so it doesn’t interfere with a finished basement.

Advantages

  • Controlled by a dehumidistat with digital settings and a variable setting range from “45%” to “90%”.
  • 10x more powerful than traditional dehumidifiers.
  • Removes up to 109 pints of water per day.
  • Direct gravity drain hose to floor drain, WaterGuard®, or sump pump. Drain hose can be extended using 1/2 inch PVC pipe.

Window wells

You can easily add value to your property by adding a window, or upgrading an existing window opening that meets current egress code requirements. Egress windows provide an emergency escape and rescue opening. They come in a variety of colors and styles and an optional lid can keep debris out and provide safety when needed.

SunHouse Below Floor Drain

In addition to adding egress to your basement the SunHouse Window Wells are designed to transform dark, dirty and deteriorated window wells into clean, bright spaces that bring loads more light into your basement.

Advantages

  • Protects window from wind, rain, and snow, helping to prevent leaks.
  • Reduces build-up of dirt to ensure a clean, clear view from the window.
  • Prevents pests and rodents from getting to the window.
  • Durable plastic won’t rot or rust over time.

WellDuct Window Well Drain

Designed to prevent basement flooding due to window well leakage, WellDuct® is a low-profile drainage channel that connects the base of the window well to your interior drainage system.

Advantages

  • Prevents a water-filled window well from flooding your basement.
  • Works effectively on all sizes & types of window wells.
  • Quick and affordable to install.

Air Purifiers

The air in your home can contain pollutants that cause allergies, asthma, and an increased risk of long-term illness. A professional Air Purifier is great for cleaning your air and battling against allergies, smoke, pet dander, mold, viruses, and more.

Aspen Air Purifier

Aspen is a professional-grade air purifier that covers 1,500 square feet using 100% safe purification methods. Other air purifiers use technology that can be harmful or have adverse effects on your health, such as UV lights, ionizers, or ozone generators.

Advantages

  • Removes more than 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns.
  • Reduces allergies, asthma, and risk of long-term illness.
  • Uses up to 85% less electricity than your traditional AC fan.
  • 3-stage air filtration process for maximum air purification.
  • 10-year warranty with filter subscription and a 2-year standard warranty.
aspen air purifiers

Inventor Tanner Janesky describes Aspen’s journey from start to finish, and his determination to address a broad range of allergens with a compact, efficient, easy-to-install purification system.

Unique 3-Stage Air Filtration Process

Aspen’s three custom-designed filters allow maximum airflow and filtration effectiveness. Each stage of the purification process uses a different filter to remove different pollutants from your air. The rest of the unit is designed around the filters. The filters include:

  • Allergy Filter: Removes mold, pet dander, pollen, dust mite droppings, asbestos, & more!
  • Activated Carbon Filter: Removes VOCs, odors, formaldehyde, chemicals, tobacco smoke, & more!
  • Microparticle HEPA Filter: Removes 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including smoke, soot, bacteria, smog, viruses, & more!

Efficiency And Safety

Other air purifiers use technology that can be harmful or have adverse effects on your health, such as UV lights, ionizers, or ozone generators. Our unit keeps your health in mind and is safe to use. Aspen Air Purifiers use 100% safe purification methods and are guaranteed not to produce ozone.

TerraFirma takes efficiency seriously, just like your health and safety. Aspen Air Purifiers are built with EC fan technology and use up to 85% less electricity than your traditional AC fan. The efficiency gains are even more pronounced at lower fan speeds, which are used most frequently. An efficient air purifier will save you money on electricity while effectively cleaning your air.

Our unit is safe, easy to use, and includes easy-to-change filters, making it a great option for use anywhere in your home where you want clean air. They cover up to 1,500 square feet. Our Aspen Units also include a 10-year warranty with filter subscription and a 2-year standard warranty.

Ducts distributing the air into and out of the room means the Aspen will positively impact the entire house.

Airfilter Cleaning Air
Aspen Sedona house

The Ultimate Indoor Air Quality Solution: Aspen & Sedona

Undoubtedly, the Aspen Air Purifier offers a wide variety of benefits, including its ability to remove over 99.97% of particles from the air and its easy-to-use design. However, with the help of the SaniDry Sedona, a highly effective dehumidifier that keeps the relative humidity down all year round, you can achieve the absolute healthiest indoor air quality available. Each of these two systems has been deemed a “Miracle Machine” for the unbeatable results they provide to homeowners, and for good reason!

When the Aspen Air Purifier is paired with the SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier, the results are astounding. The SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier is the world’s most efficient high-performance dehumidifier, eliminating water from the air using less electricity. While the Sedona keeps air dry, the Aspen Air Purifier uses three-stage custom designed filters to remove even the smallest particles from the air in your home. The combination of the Aspen Air Purifier and the SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier offers an uncompromising way to get extraordinary results, allowing you to reap the benefits of clean, healthy air.

The Aspen Air Purifier pairs with the SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier to provide optimum indoor air quality throughout your entire home.

Schedule your free
Basement Evaluation

Book Now

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.

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.

We had successfully used Terra Firma about 10 years ago, so when we had a water incursion this year in a different part of the house we naturally turned to them again. To address water coming through a wall in our daylight basement, they installed their Water Guard and Vapor Lock products, plus a sump pump system. The result looks solid and neat. Haven’t yet had a chance to test it in a downpour, but I’m very confident that if there’s an issue, TF will make it right. I know that because some of our rickety plumbing got dislodged during this process and started to leak. TF stepped up and sent 2 high-quality plumbers, and they found every issue and fixed them all. The install crew themselves were super-courteous and tidy, and they worked overtime to get the job done timely. Kudos to Antonio Rodriguez, Jacob Rodriguez, Rico Aguilar, and Jonathan Heredia.
Very professional to work with. They seemed to have a better grasp of our home’s foundation health than competitors, including how we needed to modify our approach to make it safe. Luis, Sebastian, and Rudi did a great job on our basement and kept us informed of their progress each day.
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!
Bryon and Michael did a great job finishing up our hillside retaining walls, making them sturdy and looking finished. They cleaned up the job site and left us with a well-done project. Hope to work with this crew again as we continue with crawlspace waterproofing later!
Bridget came over for a free consultation and it was one of the most incredible customer experiences I've ever had. She was an absolute wealth of knowledge. She took the time to explain everything to me, making sure I understood why things happen, what to look for...she even drew pictures for me. When she left I felt empowered and her passion for building and old Portland houses was truly infectious. Yes, TerraFirma was professional and timely, but Bridget was truly a home-whisper! While I haven't gone with any of their solutions for my basement yet, I have full trust in their expertise.
Terra Firma did a great job! We had several leaks in our basement and an old brick foundation. We felt like we were living in a house of cards. I really appreciated the “can do” attitude and great communication. The basement looks great with the brace too.
Very professional. Good job and less expensive than I thought it would be to have a dry 50 y.o., finished, walk out basement with a lifetime transferable warranty Thank you!
I have used Terra Firma on 4 (soon to be 5) projects over the last few years. They offer a variety of services relative to foundation issues, drive and walk ways and basement issues. They do great work (as recently evidenced by Mike McCarthy and his installation crew on my sport court and driveway) and they have a great warranty, both of which justify their cost. I have a couple of other projects in mind and won't hesitate to call them for one of their free estimates and to discuss options as they have done in the past. Highly recommend for peace of mind.
I had a difficult project to install an egress window in my finished basement. Great communication from the team and positive attitude from the crew (despite significant challenges!) from initial estimate through completion. Terrific work. Would highly recommend Terra Firma.
The best. Hands down. TerraFirma came out and inspected our leak in the basement and I couldn't be more impressed with the service. We are new homeowners and didn't know anything about how their system actually worked. Travis and his partner (sorry I didn't get your name!) took the time to explain how our system works and answered all of the questions we asked. 10/10 would recommend TerraFirma to anyone. *The leak was unrelated to the system TerraFirma put in, but they stuck around to answer questions anyways*
Our house is over 100 years old and the basement was very humid. I had laid down a vapor barrier but it wasn't sealing out all the moisture from the walk-in crawlspace. So we decided to have our walk-in crawl space encapsulated by Terra Firma after getting quotes from 3 companies. I knew that we needed a pro to get all the weird angles done correctly. We chose TF because they were professional, communicative, and their quote was reasonable in comparison to the others. They got the job done and have stayed in contact afterwards to make sure everything was correct. As a homeowner, I appreciated how they listened to my issues and expectations while also giving me needed expertise about how to get the job done. After the encapsulation was finished, the difference was clear. Our home smells better and the air is nice and dry.
I contracted Terrafirma to waterproof the crawlspace of our 1940s home. Jorge (the foreman), Jose and Fernando came out and did an excellent job. They had the work done in about a week and half and removed over 20 cu.yd. of dirt from underneath the house. Jorge gave us updates at the end of each day and let us know of their progress and the work yet to be done. His crew was friendly and professional and anyone to get them on their job will not be disappointed. After first receiving a quote from one of their competitors only to have them raise the price $10k just before the work began I went back to my second quote with Terrafirma and asked for a few changes, like the addition of a sump pump. Terrafirma not only delivered but in the end came in under their competitors original quote. They delivered where the competition could not and I will recommend them to friends, family and anyone looking for crawlspace/waterproofing work. Thank you Terrafirma!

Basement Waterproofing Homeowner Questions


Which vapor barrier is best for weeping walls?

The VaporLoc Elite Wall System is better for weeping walls than other commonly used vapor barriers. The VLE system has double sealed seams, waterproof material (not water-resistant), and is much thicker than vapor barriers available at retail stores.

Basement waterproofing: interior vs exterior – which is better?

Interior waterproofing generally provides the most serviceable, comprehensive, and longest lasting solution.

Will a wet basement pass inspection?

Home inspectors cannot pass or fail a home, but only call out defects and make suggestions to consult a qualified contractor.

How long does basement waterproofing last?

TerraFirma-installed waterproofing systems are expected to last decades with regular care & maintenance. We also warranty our installations, our WaterGuard and DryTrak drainage systems come with a transferrable lifetime warranty. Terms apply, view the details here. We stand by our work and the quality of the systems we install.

Should I consider a vapor barrier if I’m not planning to finish my basement?

Even if you’re not planning on finishing your basement at this time, our wall panels can create a cleaner, brighter appearance while insulating and waterproofing your basement walls.