Mountlake Terrace homes often struggle with basement leaks, damp walls, and water intrusion from rain and soil moisture. Wet Basement Services provides permanent waterproofing, drainage, crawl space, and mold remediation solutions tailored for Mountlake Terrace properties.
Geology and Soil Conditions
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Mountlake Terrace lies in the glaciated Puget Lowland. The City’s Environment & Sustainability Element states that many soils in Mt. Lake Terrace are associated with “hydric soils, erosion hazard areas, steep slopes” which imply underlying soils that include fine‑grained or poorly drained layers.
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While a specific detailed soil map for every parcel wasn’t included, the regional soil studies for nearby western‑Washington glacial landscape note that glacial till deposits often form “a dense, compacted layer … at an average depth of 24‑36 inches … This hardpan … can form a perched water table” in hills and upland lots.
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Implication: Because soils include dense tills or low‑permeability fine‑grained layers, water entering the ground may not drain downward easily — leading to accumulation adjacent to basement walls or under floor slabs.
Rainfall and Seasonal Moisture Load
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Climate data for Mountlake Terrace show ~173 rainfall days per year.
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Monthly rainfall: e.g., November averages ~3.35″ of rain and ~18.4 rainy days in Mt. Lake Terrace.
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Implication: Frequent rainfall combined with slow‑draining soils means the ground remains moist or saturated for longer than in free‑draining sites, heightening basement water risks.
Topography and Drainage Characteristics
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The city’s Environmental Element identifies many slopes exceeding 15 % and geologic hazard designations (erosion/landslide) within Mountlake Terrace.
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Sloped lots and site fill are present, which can redirect surface/subsurface water toward foundations if grading or drainage is not properly designed.
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Implication: Homes built on or near slopes or fill may have surface and subsurface water directed toward their foundation walls — especially problematic when soils drain slowly.
Combined Effect
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Basements adjacent to dense glacial till or fine‑grained soils combined with frequent rainy days plus sloped or fill‑adjacent lots equates to elevated hydrostatic pressure, longer durations of saturation, higher risk of seepage, cracks or flooding.
Mountlake Terrace basements often experience seepage through foundation walls and floors. We install:
- Interior French drains
- Vertical drain wall membrane
- Sump pumps and battery backups
- Exterior drainage solutions
Mountlake Terrace homes typically deal with:
- Water seepage during heavy rain
- Standing water from seepage in cold joints
- Damp walls and floors
- Musty odors
- Mold growth on wooden framing
✔ Local Mountlake Terrace waterproofing specialists
✔ Permanent solutions and warranties
✔ Certified mold remediation experts
✔ Quick response for emergency leaks
Serving all neighborhoods in Mountlake Terrace, WA
Request a free waterproofing estimate today.