Roof replacement and repair for older homes in Forest Grove, OR 97116
Forest Grove has some of the oldest houses in Washington County near Pacific University, plus newer subdivisions and farm buildings that take the wind off the open fields. We replace and repair all of them.
In Forest Grove, the most common jobs are full replacements on older homes near Pacific University, which often need new decking over original board sheathing, along with wind repairs on homes and barns facing open farmland and moss work under big oaks and firs. A replacement on an older one and a half story home often runs $13,970 to $24,680. Call (503) 917-5484 for an on-roof look and a written estimate.
Forest Grove sits at the west end of the Tualatin Valley, where Highway 8 and Highway 47 meet and the Coast Range foothills begin. The town grew up around Pacific University, and the blocks around campus still hold Victorian, Craftsman and early 1900s homes with steep roofs and tall chimneys. Around that core are postwar ranches, newer subdivisions on the north and south sides, and farms, nurseries and vineyards that stretch out toward Gales Creek and Cornelius.
That mix keeps our work varied. Older homes need careful tear-offs, new decking and proper flashing at chimneys and dormers. Newer homes need first replacements and leak repairs. Farm buildings and homes on the edge of town deal with wind coming across open fields during winter storms. Moss grows heavily under the old oaks and firs near campus and along the creeks, so cleaning and prevention are a regular part of our Forest Grove work.
Historic campus blocks, postwar ranches and farm country
The streets around Pacific University and downtown along Main Street and Pacific Avenue have many homes built from the late 1800s through the 1930s. These usually have steep gable roofs, dormers, board sheathing, old brick chimneys and sometimes several roof layers. Tear-offs on these homes often uncover old cedar shingles under asphalt, and we lay new plywood before the new roof goes on. Box gutters and wood fascia on some of the oldest homes need careful repair.
Further out, postwar ranches and split levels fill the blocks between downtown and Highway 47, and newer two story subdivisions spread along the north and south edges of town. Those homes mostly carry architectural shingles that are now on their first or second replacement. On the rural edges, barns, equipment sheds and nursery buildings often have metal roofs or older composition roofs that take the brunt of winter wind.
Roof problems Forest Grove homes run into
Hidden layers and board decks
Many older Forest Grove homes have asphalt laid over original cedar shingles on spaced board sheathing. The layers trap moisture and the boards cannot hold modern nails well. A full tear-off and new plywood give the new roof a solid base.
Wind off open farmland
Homes and barns on the edges of town face open fields with nothing to slow winter storm winds. Shingles lift at the rakes and ridges, and metal panels loosen. We repair damaged areas and use high wind nailing on new roofs.
Moss under oaks and firs
Big Oregon white oaks and firs near campus and along the creeks keep roofs shaded and wet. Moss builds up thick in a few seasons. We remove it by hand and soft wash, then add zinc strips at the ridge.
Rotted fascia and box gutters
Older homes with built-in wood box gutters or thin fascia boards rot where water has overflowed for years. We replace the rotten wood and install new seamless gutters sized for the leaf and needle load.
Roofing services in Forest Grove
These services fit the older homes, newer subdivisions and farm buildings we work on most around Forest Grove.
Roof Replacement
When patches stop holding and the shingles are bare, curling or shedding granules, a full reroof is the smarter spend. We replace Portland roofs from...
Dry Rot & Roof Deck Repair
A soft spot underfoot on the roof or a sag you can see from the street points to rotted sheathing below the shingles. We open Portland roofs, remove...
Wind & Storm Damage Repair
After an east wind event or a Portland ice storm, the damage on a roof is often subtle: creased tabs, broken seal strips and loose ridge caps that...
Roof Moss Removal
Moss on a Portland roof is almost a given under the firs. We take it off by hand and brush, treat what is left and add zinc so it grows back slower.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Portland's old brick chimneys are the single most common leak point we see. Proper chimney flashing uses two layers of metal, one woven into the...
Fascia & Soffit Repair
Soft fascia behind the gutter, peeling soffit paint or birds nesting in the eaves usually means water has been getting past your roof edge. We...
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs shrug off the things that wear Portland roofs down: constant rain, moss, fir needles and wind. We install standing seam and ribbed metal...
Seamless Gutter Installation
Seamless aluminum gutters formed on site to fit your Portland home, sized for our long rainy season and fitted with downspouts that move water away...
How we work on Forest Grove older homes and farm sites
Older homes near campus often sit close together with mature trees overhead, so we tarp landscaping well, protect old windows and plan where the debris chute will go. Steep pitches mean roof jacks and harnesses on every job. Farm and acreage properties usually have plenty of room for the trailer, but we check gravel drives and gate widths ahead of time. We do a nail sweep at the end of every day, including around barns and livestock areas.
Roofing questions from Forest Grove
What is under the shingles on an older Forest Grove house?
On many older Forest Grove homes near Pacific University, we find one or two layers of asphalt over the original cedar shingles, all on spaced board sheathing. We tear everything down to the boards, replace rotted pieces, lay new plywood and then install underlayment and new shingles.
Can you repair wind damage on a barn roof near Forest Grove?
Yes. Around Forest Grove we repair metal and composition roofs on barns, shops and nursery buildings after winter storms. That means replacing torn panels or shingles, new fasteners with fresh washers, and resealing ridge caps and laps. If the roof is past repair, we replace it.
How often should moss be cleaned off a Forest Grove roof?
Under the big oaks and firs in Forest Grove, many roofs need moss treatment every two to three years. We brush off the growth by hand, soft wash to kill the roots and install zinc strips that slow regrowth. Trimming branches back from the roof helps a lot too.
Nearby places we roof
Roof trouble in Forest Grove?
Call and describe what you are seeing. We answer 24/7 and send a roofer as soon as one is free.