Cedar shake and roof repair in Eastmoreland, Portland, OR 97202
Eastmoreland has some of the largest lots and tallest trees in Southeast Portland. That means cedar roofs worth saving, deep shade, heavy needle drop and the occasional limb through the eaves. We repair and replace roofs built for this setting.
Eastmoreland roofs sit under some of the densest street canopy in Portland, so the common calls are cedar shake repair and restoration, moss and needle buildup, limbs that come down in wind or ice, and reroofing older homes on large lots. Call (503) 917-5484, we answer 24/7, and every job starts with an on-roof look and a written estimate.
South of Woodstock Boulevard and east of Reed College, Eastmoreland was laid out with wide lots and planted with American elms, oaks and other big trees that now arch over the streets. The Eastmoreland Golf Course and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden border the neighborhood to the west. It is a beautiful place to own a house and a demanding place to keep a roof dry, because so much of each roof spends the wet season in shade.
A higher share of homes here still carry cedar, or did until recently. When a cedar roof is in decent shape, targeted shake replacement, cleaning and treatment can buy years. When it is past that point, we talk through new cedar, synthetic shake or architectural asphalt, and what each will look like on the house. Tree damage repair is the other big part of our work in Eastmoreland.
Why do so many Eastmoreland homes still wear cedar?
Most of Eastmoreland was built from the 1910s through the 1930s, with Colonial Revival, English Tudor, Craftsman and Dutch Colonial homes, plus some later mid-century houses on remaining lots. Many were designed with wood shingle or shake roofs in mind, and owners who care about period character have kept that look. Steep gables, gambrel roofs on the Dutch Colonials and large dormers give each house a lot of roof surface.
Lots are bigger than in most of inner Southeast, so houses sit back from the street with long driveways. The trees are the defining feature. Mature canopy over streets like SE Reed College Place and the blocks near the golf course drops needles, leaves and seed pods into valleys and gutters through fall and winter. Reed College campus and its canyon sit at the northwest edge, and the neighborhood is close to the Sellwood and Westmoreland business districts.
What wears out roofs under Eastmoreland's big trees?
Cedar shakes splitting and cupping
Shaded shakes stay damp, then dry unevenly, so they split, cup and lose thickness. We replace broken shakes one by one, slipping new ones under the course above, and clean and treat the field so the roof dries faster.
Limbs through roofs and eaves
Wind and ice bring down branches from mature trees. A heavy limb can crack rafters and punch through decking. We tarp right away, then rebuild framing, sheathing and roofing so the repair matches the rest of the roof.
Debris dams in valleys
Needles and leaves pile up in valleys and behind chimneys, holding water against the roof. Over time that rots the shakes or shingles and the decking under them. Regular clearing and wider valley metal prevent most of this.
Gutters packed with seed and leaf
Large lots under big trees fill gutters several times a season. Overflow soaks fascia and foundations. We install larger gutters and downspouts and fit sturdy mesh guards that shed needles and leaves better than cheap screens.
Roofing services in Eastmoreland
Eastmoreland homeowners lean on these services most, since cedar roofs and big trees set the terms for nearly every job.
Cedar Shake Repair & Restoration
A shake roof with moss in the gaps, a few split pieces and gray, tired wood often has years left in it. We repair and restore existing cedar roofs in...
Cedar Shake Roofing
Few roofs suit an old Portland house like real western red cedar. We install new shake roofs that look right on Craftsman, Tudor and lodge style...
Fallen Tree Roof Repair
A fir limb or whole tree on a Portland roof is a framing problem as much as a roofing problem. Rafters, ceiling joists and decking often need...
Synthetic Slate & Shake Roofing
Want the look of slate or cedar without the weight, the splitting or the yearly moss fight? Composite slate and shake give Portland homes 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.
Gutter Guards
Not every gutter guard can stop Douglas fir needles. We fit Portland homes with guards matched to the trees overhead, so gutters keep flowing through...
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...
Roof Maintenance
A regular tune-up keeps a Portland roof ahead of the rain. We clear debris, renew sealant, check every boot and flashing and flush gutters on a...
How do we work around trees and long drives in Eastmoreland?
Large lots help with staging, but trees close to the house mean we plan ladder placement and dumpster location carefully. When limbs overhang the roof, we suggest an arborist trim them before a reroof so we are not reroofing under branches that will drop again. On cedar roofs, roofers use soft-soled shoes and roof jacks to avoid breaking brittle shakes. We clear valleys and gutters at the end of every job, since they will already have new debris.
Roofing questions from Eastmoreland
Is my Eastmoreland cedar shake roof worth repairing or does it need replacement?
If most shakes still have thickness and only some are split or missing, repair and cleaning can extend its life several years. If shakes are thin, cupped and soft across large areas, or the roof leaks in several places, replacement is the better use of money. We inspect from the roof and show you photos before recommending either.
What roof materials look right on an older Eastmoreland home besides real cedar?
Synthetic shake, such as products from DaVinci Roofscapes, reads like weathered cedar from the street and resists moss and splitting. Thick architectural asphalt shingles in wood tones are a lower cost option. Standing seam metal suits some mid-century homes in the neighborhood. We bring samples so you can see them against your siding.
What should I do if a tree limb hits my roof in Eastmoreland at night?
Stay out of rooms under the damage and call (503) 917-5484. We answer 24/7 and come out to tarp and stop water as fast as conditions allow. Once the limb is removed, we rebuild any broken framing and decking, then match the roofing to the rest of the house.
Nearby places we roof
Roof trouble in Eastmoreland?
Call and describe what you are seeing. We answer 24/7 and send a roofer as soon as one is free.