Bellingham Parking Deck Coatings
A lot of property in Bellingham and Whatcom County sits on a slope, from the hillside lots in Sudden Valley to the bluffs and grades around South Hill. When a slope starts to move, it threatens everything built on or below it. Foundation Restoration stabilizes slopes and hillside properties across the area, holding the ground in place with retaining structures, drainage, and engineered support so the slope stops sliding and stays put.
No pressure. No upselling. Just honest assessments and slope stabilization built to last.
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Give us a call at (360) 383-7500 or fill out the form below for a free quote. Need more info? No problem! Just keep scrolling.
What Is Slope Stabilization?
Slope stabilization is the work of stopping a hillside from moving. On steep slopes, gravity, water, and soil type all pull the soil downhill over time. Heavy rains saturate the ground, hydrostatic pressure builds behind the slope face, and the soil begins to creep, slump, or slide. Left alone, slope instability can undermine a foundation at the top of the slope or bury what sits below it.
Stabilizing a slope means controlling the water and holding the soil. We combine retaining structures, proper drainage, and engineered support to resist the forces moving the slope, then manage surface water so the problem does not come back. The right system depends on the slope angle, the soil conditions, and what is at risk above and below.
Warning signs of slope instability:
Soil creep, slumping, or bare patches on the slope face
Cracks or separation near the slope crest or top of the slope
A leaning or bulging retaining wall, or signs of wall failure
Water seeping from the slope, or pooling from poor drainage
When Slope Stabilization Is the Right Solution
Not every slope needs the same scope, so we assess the site first and recommend only what the slope actually calls for.
Slope stabilization is commonly recommended when:
Soil movement or soil erosion is reshaping the slope
Heavy rainfall and winter rains keep saturating the hillside
Poor drainage is building hydrostatic pressure behind the slope
An existing retaining wall is failing or undersized for the slope
A property owner needs to protect a structure above or below the grade
We evaluate the slope, explain what we see in plain language, and lay out the options so you can decide without pressure.
ALREADY HAVE A QUOTE FROM ANOTHER COMPANY?
We are happy to review it with you and provide a straightforward second opinion.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS.
SOLID SOLUTIONS.
No pressure. No upselling. Just steady, professional guidance and installation. If you have noticed a crack in your foundation, a sloping floor, moisture in the basement, or a musty crawlspace, it can be hard to know where to start. We help you understand what you are looking at and work with you to find a solution that fits both your goals and the home.
Every person we asked referred Foundation Restoration. The guys were thorough in their initial evaluation, respectful of our home while working, and they had great communications at every step of the process. We’d be happy to work with FR again in the future.”
- Nicole, homeowner, Bellingham
How We Stabilize a Slope
Every slope is different, so we match the system to the grade, the soil, and the water moving through it.
Retaining Structures
We build and repair retaining structures, from concrete walls to segmental block walls, that hold the soil on steep slopes and take the load off the grade behind them.
Anchoring and Deep Support
Where a slope needs to be tied back to stable ground, anchoring and deep support like pin piles carry the load past the moving soil to a competent layer below.
Drainage and Water Management
Because water drives most slope failures, drainage is central to every job. We install drainage systems that relieve hydrostatic pressure and control water flow, including french drains, horizontal drains, and connections to storm drains, so water moves off the slope instead of through it.
Erosion Control
We control surface erosion by regrading, armoring soil surfaces, and directing water away from exposed areas, so the slope stops shedding soil with every storm.
Engineered Designs
For complex or high-risk slopes, we work from detailed geotechnical evaluations and coordinate with geotechnical engineers on an engineered design, which may call for tie-back anchors, soldier piles, or soil nails as part of the stabilization system.
Why Slopes Fail Here
Local slopes face a hard mix of conditions. Heavy winter rains raise groundwater levels and the water table, the glacial till common across Whatcom County holds and sheds water in ways that stress a slope, and freeze-thaw cycles loosen the soil near the surface. Add a steep grade and poor drainage, and a hillside that looked stable for years can start to move. We read those local conditions and build the stabilization system to match them.
Residential and Commercial Slope Stabilization
We work across the full range of hillside properties.
Residential
Slope and hillside stabilization for homes on sloped lots, protecting the house, the yard, and the grade around them. We work with minimal disruption to the property.
Commercial
Slope stabilization, retaining structures, and drainage for commercial projects and construction projects across the region, including work alongside general contractors and engineers. We bring the same standard to every project across Whatcom County.
Not sure whether your problem is the slope or the soil under your foundation? Contact us and we will give you a straightforward answer.
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you contact us, you’ll likely speak with Janeah or Kelsey. They’ll ask a few questions, gather basic information, and schedule a site visit. If you have a prior report or estimate, they will review it so our team arrives prepared.
During the visit, you’ll meet with Eric or David. They’re experienced builders, not commissioned sales staff. They’ll evaluate the issue and surrounding conditions and explain what they see in plain language.
Afterward, you’ll receive a written proposal with recommended solutions and costs. If there’s more than one option, we’ll walk you through it so you can decide without pressure.
We’re owner-led, and your estimator stays involved through completion so the work is carried out as discussed. Our crews keep a clean job site.
DEEP LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. PROVEN EXPERIENCE. CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY.
Behind every Foundation Restoration project is Matt Shaver, whose hands-on leadership and long commitment to quality and community help set the standard for how work gets done.
Locally owned & operated by Matt Shaver
Serving Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish counties
Licensed, bonded, and insured
Project continuity
Your estimator is the project manager from start to finish
Clear, written warranty terms
Structural Specialists
Thousands of local foundations evaluated and repaired since 2009
Extensive experience with Western Washington soil, moisture, and settlement conditions
Commercial-grade systems installed in residential homes
Involved in our communities
Supporting local organizations and community initiatives
David Burkett
Residential Estimator
& Project Manager
Kelsey Riley
Director of Admin
Eric Simonsen
Residential Estimator
& Project Manager
LOCAL EXPERIENCE YOU CAN SEE
Since 2009, we have evaluated and repaired thousands of homes throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish counties. From older foundations on South Hill to hillside properties in Sudden Valley and historic homes in the Lettered Streets, we understand how Western Washington rainfall and changing soil conditions affect structures over time.
We have worked on homes built on rocky bluffs in the islands, on expansive soils in the Skagit Valley, and on mixed fill common in parts of Bellingham. Each site presents different conditions, and each requires a careful, site-specific approach.
Many of our projects are in neighborhoods you likely know. We are often referred by homeowners, real estate professionals, inspectors, and local contractors who have seen our work firsthand.
My wife and I thought they were excellent from start to finish. Knowledgeable, competent, accommodating, quick to respond, and always able to answer questions. And just genuinely nice people. Honestly, Foundation Restoration is one of the best companies I’ve worked with…highly recommend going with them.”
- Chris, homeowner, Fountain District, Bellingham
THOUSANDS OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
FAQs
What causes a slope to become unstable?
Water is usually the driver. Heavy rainfall saturates the soil, hydrostatic pressure builds behind the slope face, and the soil begins to creep or slide, especially on steep slopes with poor drainage. Soil type, freeze-thaw cycles, and a high water table all add to it. Stabilizing the slope means controlling that water and holding the soil in place.
1
What is the difference between slope stabilization and soil stabilization?
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Slope stabilization holds a hillside or grade in place with retaining structures, drainage, and anchoring. Soil stabilization strengthens the ground directly under a foundation, often with injection grouting. They solve different problems, and we will tell you which one your site actually needs
Can you repair a failing retaining wall on a slope?
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Yes. A leaning or cracked retaining wall is often the first sign a slope is overloaded. We assess whether the wall can be repaired and reinforced or needs to be replaced with a structure sized for the slope, and we address the drainage behind it so the same failure does not
Do you work with geotechnical engineers?
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Yes. For complex or high-risk slopes we work from detailed geotechnical evaluations and build to the engineer's design, so the stabilization system meets the requirements for the site.
Watching a slope move or a retaining wall lean?
Reach out and we will assess the hillside, explain what we find, and put together a clear plan. Foundation Restoration stabilizes slopes and hillside properties across Bellingham and Whatcom County.