Irvington · Alberta · Concordia · Rose City Park · Hollywood
NE Portland Mold Removal — From Irvington’s Edwardians to Alberta’s 1920s Bungalows
We do more remediation work in NE Portland than any quadrant except SE. Two distinct housing eras drive two different mold profiles — pre-WWI Edwardians and post-WWII ranches. Same-day scheduling available.
Free NE Portland Assessment
★★★★★ 5.0 · Portland Homeowners
Quick Answer: NE Portland mold removal costs $1,500–$3,500 for crawl space jobs and $2,000–$4,500 for Irvington basement or mid-century attic work. Two distinct housing eras drive two different mold profiles: pre-WWI Edwardian and Craftsman homes (Irvington, Concordia, Alberta) with brick basements and passive crawl spaces; and 1940s–1960s ranch homes (Rose City Park, Hollywood) with attic ventilation failures. We assess NE Portland homes multiple times per week. Free written estimate, same-day scheduling available.
NE Portland’s Housing Eras — and Their Mold Profiles
Irvington · Alameda · 97212
Pre-WWI Foursquares and Edwardians — Full Brick Basements
Irvington was platted in 1887. The construction that defines it — large Edwardian Foursquares, Classical Revival homes, early Craftsmans — spans 1900 to 1925. These homes have full brick basements that SE Portland’s comparable-era bungalows do not. Original brick and lime mortar, now 100–125 years old, has been absorbing Portland’s annual rainfall for generations. We find mold in Irvington basements that has been growing since long before the current owners moved in. The Alameda Ridge adds a terrain drainage dimension: homes immediately downslope receive lateral water movement from the ridge during atmospheric river events, compounding the foundation moisture load.
Alberta · Concordia · Woodlawn · 97211
1910–1930 Craftsman Bungalows — Passive Crawl Spaces
The streets running north and south off Alberta Street — NE 15th, 22nd, 28th, 33rd — are lined with 1910–1930 bungalows with the same passive-vented crawl space design as their SE Portland counterparts. Alberta’s rapid development over the past 15 years has meant many homes were purchased and renovated without crawl space assessment. Renovation activity — new bathrooms, structural changes — sometimes accelerates mold development by changing airflow dynamics. Many were rental properties for decades with deferred maintenance: visqueen installed in the 1980s and never replaced.
Rose City Park · Hollywood · Beaumont · 97213
Mid-Century Ranch Homes — Attic Ventilation Problems
East of 42nd Avenue, NE Portland transitions to post-WWII ranch homes and California bungalows. Less basement mold (most are crawl space or slab), more attic mold. Bath fans vented to attic rather than to a proper roof cap — common in bathrooms added during 1980s–1990s renovations. The NE 42nd to 82nd corridor has the highest density of mid-century rooflines in NE Portland and consistently produces attic mold assessments during home inspection season. Roof replacement work in Rose City Park and Hollywood regularly disconnects bath fan ducts without proper reconnection.
Two Real NE Portland Jobs
Case Study 01 · Irvington · 97212 · Basement
1908 Edwardian Foursquare on NE 17th — Pulmonologist Referral
Owner developed unexplained respiratory symptoms in their second winter in the home. Their pulmonologist asked whether they had investigated indoor mold. The home inspection two years prior had noted “older basement with typical moisture conditions” and recommended monitoring.
We found a converted 1970s recreation room — framing installed directly against original brick, no vapor barrier. Moisture meter on the drywall: 34% on the lower 18 inches. Normal is below 16%. Thermal camera showed a cold band behind the lower wall consistent with sustained moisture. Demolished lower 24 inches of drywall on the full north wall: Cladosporium throughout the paper backing, Aspergillus at base plates. 160 sq ft affected.
Cost: $3,100 · Timeline: 2 days · Clearance: Pass ✔ · Owner: symptom improvement within 6 weeks
Case Study 02 · Concordia · 97211 · Crawl Space · Real Estate
1923 Craftsman on NE 26th — Inspection-Triggered, Sale Pending
Called by a buyer’s agent after home inspection flagged “significant mold growth in the crawl space.” The seller — a long-term owner of 22 years — had never accessed the crawl space. The report was accurate: Cladosporium across most floor joists and rim joists, insulation partially fallen, 4-mil visqueen in pieces.
One-day remediation: removed all failed insulation, HEPA-vacuumed all framing surfaces, EPA-registered antimicrobial applied, new 20-mil vapor barrier installed sealed to foundation walls. Passive vents discussed with seller — encapsulation recommended but not included in transaction scope. Clearance test: pass.
Cost: $2,600 · Timeline: 1 day · Clearance: Pass ✔ · Transaction closed on time
NE Portland ZIP Codes and Pricing
We serve all NE Portland ZIP codes. Here is what we most commonly find and the typical cost range by area.
ZIP 97211
Alberta · Concordia · Woodlawn
Crawl space Cladosporium dominant. Passive-vented 1910–1930 bungalows throughout. Alberta renovation activity frequently uncovers decades of deferred crawl space maintenance.
$1,500–$2,800
ZIP 97212
Irvington · Alameda · Beaumont
Full brick basement jobs — larger footprint, more complex. Alameda ridge terrain drainage. Beaumont dense canopy. Most expensive NE Portland scenario.
$2,500–$4,500
ZIP 97213
Hollywood · Rose City Park
Mid-century attic mold. Bath fan venting the primary cause. Roof replacement work frequently triggers the problem.
$1,800–$3,500
ZIP 97217
Woodlawn · Arbor Lodge
Near Columbia Slough — elevated groundwater year-round. Oldest housing in this section of NE Portland.
$1,500–$3,000
ZIP 97218
Parkrose · Madison South
Post-WWII mixed construction. Johnson Creek tributary drainage issues in lower elevation sections.
$1,200–$2,800
NE Portland Mold FAQ
What is the most common mold problem in NE Portland homes?
Two distinct problems by housing era: crawl space Cladosporium in the 1910–1930 bungalows of Concordia, Alberta, and Woodlawn; and basement perimeter framing mold in Irvington’s older Edwardian homes with finished basement walls installed without vapor barriers. Mid-century ranch homes in Rose City Park and Hollywood present a third pattern: attic mold from bath fan venting issues.
My home is in Irvington — is my basement at higher risk?
Yes. Irvington’s full brick basements, original lime-mortar construction, and 100+ year age make them among the highest moisture-risk basements in the city. If you have finished any portion of an Irvington basement without a vapor barrier between the framing and the brick wall, there is a meaningful probability of mold in the wall cavity — especially on the north and east-facing walls that receive no direct sun.
Mold was found during a sale inspection on our NE Portland home. What now?
Call us immediately. We assess transaction-related mold the same day in most cases and can complete remediation and clearance testing within 3–5 business days. Tell us the closing date when you call — it determines our scheduling priority.
Does the Alberta Arts District renovation activity create mold problems?
Yes. Older rental properties purchased for renovation frequently uncover decades-old crawl space mold that was growing under tenant occupancy. In some cases the renovation itself — new bathrooms, structural changes — temporarily changes airflow dynamics and activates previously stable conditions. If you are buying or renovating an older NE Portland home, crawl space and attic assessment should be part of your pre-construction evaluation.
Schedule a Free Estimate in NE Portland
We are in NE Portland multiple times per week. Same-day or next-morning scheduling available in most cases. Tell us the closing date if this is real estate related.
NE Portland ZIP codes served: 97211 · 97212 · 97213 · 97216 · 97217 · 97218 · 97220