Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in the Portland Area

What Makes Portland Different

Portland’s rain is steady rather than dramatic. From about October through May, roofs, gutters and siding stay wet for weeks, and moss on shingles holds moisture against the roof deck. Slow leaks around windows, chimneys and skylights often show up as a stain months after they start. Clean gutters in the fall and look in the attic after the first long stretch of rain.

Many older homes sit over basements or crawlspaces with dirt floors, and damp air under the house feeds mold on joists and subfloors. A vapor barrier on the crawlspace floor and working vents, or a sealed crawlspace with a dehumidifier, make a real difference. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, and older basements often have asbestos wrap on old heating ducts and pipes.

Winter ice storms and cold east winds out of the Columbia River Gorge can freeze pipes in homes that were never built for much cold. Summer brings a different risk. Wildfire smoke has settled over the metro in recent years, and fine ash and odor get into carpets, ducts and soft furniture.