The Pacific Northwest is known for its breathtaking beauty, lush greenery, and pleasant climate. Yet, Oregon and Washington residents are very familiar with the wet weather and often there is a wide pendulum of weather extremes that can happen throughout the year. These weather fluctuations can impact homes of all ages and styles – especially the foundation. Understanding how southwest Washington and Oregon weather affects foundations can help homeowners prevent expensive structural damage and ensure the long-term safety of their home.   

Persistent Rainfall or Flooding

Long rainy seasons are part of what makes the Pacific Northwest unique. However, excessive rainfall here can oversaturate the soil surrounding the home and cause pressure that builds against foundation walls.  

“Water is a consistent threat,” shared James Kershaw, Senior System Design Specialist for TerraFirma. “If you don’t have proper drainage for surface runoff or have downspouts that drain right near the foundation, the hole that your home’s foundation is built on will start to fill with water. This will destabilize the soil that your home sits on.”

Homes located on hillsides or those near streams, rivers, or other water sources prone can be at greater risk for problems during severe storms. Flooding and erosion can wash away the soil that supports a foundation, leaving it vulnerable.

Soil and Ground Movement

Many areas throughout Washington and Oregon contain clay-heavy soil. This type of soil expands as it absorbs moisture and then contracts during drier periods. This continued cycle of expansion and contraction can cause stress on foundations, often resulting in cracks, floor sloping, uneven settling, or misaligned doors or windows. Over time, even small movements can compromise the strength and integrity of the structure.

In addition, when water has nowhere to go due to poor drainage or compacted soil –water can make its way into foundation cracks, leading to leaks and moisture buildup. If those aren’t addressed, a gradual weakening of the foundation can occur.   

“Directing water away from the home is crucial for protecting the foundation, but it’s only one part of the picture,” James Kershaw said. “Good drainage reduces risk, but underlying soil and structural conditions can still cause movement over time.”

Warning Signs Not to Ignore

Early detection by a licensed foundation contractor is key to ensuring your home’s foundation stays safe and secure for years to come. Common warning signs include foundation cracks, dry wall nails protruding from under paint, stuck doors or windows, cupboards or drawers that open on their own, or water intruding into the basement or crawl space.

In addition, if you notice any damp, wet-forest odors in your home – especially on the first floor – take note. Nearly half of the air on your first floor comes directly from your crawl space or basement.

It’s important to address these potential concerns early on and not ignore them, as it can help save time and money on significant and inconvenient repairs.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Founded more than two decades ago, TerraFirma is a locally owned foundation company that has become a trusted resource for homeowners, providing solutions for home foundations, basement and crawl space moisture, concrete leveling, and earthquake retrofitting.

Whether it’s an assessment of a historic Portland home remodel or foundation repair, new construction of a home or building on land that may have a geologic history you’re unsure of, or you’re looking for advice on ensuring your crawlspace or basement stays mold-free, the experts at TerraFirma know Oregon and Washington climates well and gladly provide free comprehensive home assessments.

“We want to fix homes once and for all,” James Kershaw said. “We avoid Band-Aid solutions and want our customers have peace of mind. We understand that some homeowners fear the unknown when it comes to their foundations and our process is very consultative…we diagnose your problem and can work within budgets or provide phases that the project can be completed in.”

A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, and working with a reliable foundation contractor is worthwhile.  

James Kershaw said, “Credibility, and trustworthiness are at the forefront of our values. We work on informing our customers and building trust.”

James shared a simple in-home checklist to help Portland homeowners spot red flags before they become bigger problems. This 5-Step Structural Health Checklist and other helpful homeowner guides provide tips to keep your home safe, dry, and stable.