Crumbling basement walls | TerraFirma Foundation Systems

Crumbling Basement Walls and other Common Foundation issues

Your home often sends clear signs when its foundation is failing. Crumbling, cracked or buckling walls is a clear sign of stress in your home’s foundation and support system. Basements in the Pacific Northwest often have cracked and crumbling basement walls and floors.

Not all signs are symptoms of serious damage, but these signs are strong signals that it is time for a professional evaluation:

  • Leaking from your basement walls
  • Spelling and rust-colored cracks indicating corroding rebar
  • Efflorescence on concrete or cinder block walls

TERRAFIRMA IN ACTION

Our team has over 20 years of experience fixing foundations across Oregon & Washington.
Check out their helpful Homeowner Tips and some great Case Studies of our Foundation Repair work.

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REVIEWS

Don’t take our word for it – see what our clients have to say.
From Roseburg to Eugene, Portland to Seattle, our Foundation Repair work speaks for itself

A professional job was completed by the crew in Roseburg, Oregon. I was very pleased with the entire process. From the estimate to the finish, nothing but quality work. The job was quick and they made sure after the job was finished that my property was returned to the same or better condition. A very honest company. If I need additional foundation work I will definitely use them again.
As a residential broker in western WA I’m always interacting with different foundation & basement specialists. TerraFirma is the best I’ve come across. The team there, especially Seth, is top notch. I always get an accurate & reasonable solution from them regardless of the size of the job. I’m working with Seth on a project now & it’s been great. Highly recommend!
The crew finished up the planned three day project of supporting the pole barn foundation on the 30 foot long side that was starting to slip down a 15 percent hillside. Fortunately I noticed the slippage early in the process to save having to do a whole lot more to repair it or pay 10’s of thousand of dollars demolishing the building as a total loss! By luck, I contacted TerraFirma which is 100 miles away! Their rep Austin did the initial assessment and once accepted with the help of Sammy the Project Coordinator, their site assessment guy Joel came out and then the engineering assessment was done and the County permitting process was started. Within a short time the project was approved and the job plan was set and accomplished exactly as anticipated! The technology of their six foundation supports is outstanding and once they hit rock, about 2 1/2 feet down, they go an additional 6 feet! Also, the 6 inch angle iron running the entire length of the foundation makes absolutely sure nothing can go awry. The crew of Samuel, Arturo and Oscar G were terrific and stayed in the local area so they were well-rested for the work in 100F conditions! Every day the crew updated us on their progress and spent the time to answer questions and explain what they were doing. Among many expert work habits was their careful use of the huge equipment including backing their 30 foot trailer down a long twisting 200 foot long driveway! Thanks TerraFirma, can’t thank you enough!
We just wrapped up work with TerraFirma and have had a good experience working with them with regard to cost, professionalism, and follow-through on what's been communicated. First, their quote beat all others we received for the work we needed to do to shore up our home's foundation. Second, they were professional and effective in troubleshooting a few minor obstacles as the work date approached (Jonah T was the point of contact for us at TF). Third, they were professional and communicated clearly during the project, with both Oscar C and Tyler S managing communication with us and their crew and completing the work just as described. Fourth, the crew was just the right amount friendly and very professionally focused on the the work—appreciations for Arturo, Eddie R, Oscar G, and Augie. Fifth, the job cost almost exactly what TF originally quoted. And finally, they've been great about closing the job and responding to questions as we wrapped everything up. We would recommend working with TerraFirma for foundations issues. This company's good reputation is well warranted, in our experience. Thanks, TerraFirma!
I was referred to John from Terra Firma when I was looking to have our foundation inspected. John was very friendly and knowledgable and came out to our house to measure and inspect everything. In the end he was able to put our mind at ease and did a great job of explaining different scenarios and what he was looking for.John even inspected the crawlspace while he was out and provided great feedback there as well. Overall we got a lot of good information and never felt as though we were being pushed into unnecessary services.I will certainly be reaching out to Terra Firma for any future needs!
Our 100-year-old home was in dire need of foundation repairs and structural improvements, so we contacted 3 companies for bids. Of the 3, TerraFirma was the only one to get back to us with a detailed proposal, cost estimate, and financing options. Although there were no guarantees that the proposed improvements would level our floors, that is exactly what happened. We are very pleased with the result and have peace of mind that our home is much safer now and for many years to come.
Seth did a wonderful job on our foundation inspection and was very attentive to my clients needs. Thank you Seth.
Marcus performed the 5th annual checkup on our TerraFirma (TF) foundation system. Like all TF technicians we've dealt with, Marcus was very professional with a solid understanding of our system. He checked both pumps and the dehumidifier. He also assessed the general condition of our crawl space. When he finished the inspection, he reported his findings (favorable!) and showed us pictures where he cleaned up around the pumps.This is a great company. I recommend TerraFirma wholeheartedly.
We have utilized the services of TerraFirma multiple times. Most significantly we needed to repair/replace a pair of house support columns and their related foundations. This required a plan of repair, an engineer's stamp, drawings to relate to the relevant building authority and coordination with that authority.TerraFirma handled all the above in a diligent and competent manner. Their office staff was readily accessible and answered questions concisely. The on site crew prompt and capable.
Our house is nearly 100 years old, with crumbly concrete and bowing walls in the basement and lots of "do it yourself" work done on it. We love it. But it is a challenge. "Nothing in this house is square and everything is out of round." Terra Firma installed Everbrace steel walls and pillars to stabilize the foundation. Heather, Rocky, John and Anthony were all great workers, from customer relations to brute labor and skillful application. They were on time, polite, informative, and on task. Our house will stand another 100 years thanks to them.Pat S.
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Foundation Repair Homeowner Questions

Are cracks in a basement floor normal?

Cracks in concrete are common. However, cracks are symptoms of potentially larger issues. The size, placement, and direction of cracks in your basement floor or walls can give insghts into the nature of the issue. Schedule your free in-home inspection with TerraFirma to learn more.

When should I worry about cracks in my basement floor?

You should be concerned about foundation cracks if the cracks in your basement floor are wider than 1/8 inch, spread to and up the foundation walls, appear in a circular pattern, are wet or show signs of water intrusion, have mold around them, have a white flaky substance around them

Are foundation repairs covered by homeowner’s insurance?

Insuance policies vary from home to home and company to company. The best action is always to speak with your insurance company to understand what is covered under your specific policy. Generally, home owners insurance will cover repairs if the damage can be tied back to an event e.g. leaky water heater, tree fell on house etc.

Does foundation repair affect/increase home value?

Yes. A damaged foundation can cause significant loss in property value, as well as potentially scaring off interested buyers. Repairing a damaged foundation helps restore the lost value in a home, and can even increase value when the repairs carry a transferable and long term warranty.

How long does foundation repair take?

Scope, size, and type of repair can vary, as will the amount of time a repair can take. However, most repairs can be made within a few days.