Flat roof repair and plex roofing in Richmond, Portland, OR 97214
Richmond packs Old Portland houses, Craftsman bungalows, plexes and mixed-use buildings between SE Hawthorne and Division. We repair flat roofs, reroof older homes and handle the multi-unit and storefront roofs that make this neighborhood different.
Richmond has more roof variety than most Portland neighborhoods: steep Old Portland homes with boxed eaves, bungalows, converted houses split into units, and flat-roofed storefronts and apartment buildings on Division and Hawthorne. We repair and replace flat roofs in TPO, torch-down and EPDM, reroof pitched homes, and work around tenants and businesses so the building stays open while we're up there.
Richmond stretches across inner Southeast Portland from SE Hawthorne Boulevard down to Powell, with SE Division Street running through as its busiest corridor of restaurants, shops and newer four and five story buildings. Behind the main streets, the blocks are lined with tall Old Portland homes from around 1900 to 1915, rows of Craftsman bungalows, and plenty of older houses converted into duplexes and triplexes over the decades.
That density means a lot of our Richmond work is on roofs that serve more than one household or business. A leak in a fourplex hits a tenant first, and a failed membrane over a Division storefront can shut down a kitchen. We move quickly on those calls, tarp or patch the same day when needed, and follow up with a written estimate for the permanent fix. We answer 24/7 at (503) 917-5484.
How do Richmond's roofs vary from block to block?
The Old Portland homes on Richmond's side streets are tall, often two and a half stories, with steep hipped or gabled roofs, boxed eaves and big front porches with their own low-slope roofs. Those porch roofs are a common leak point because they sit just below the main roof and catch its runoff. Craftsman bungalows fill in between, with low gables, dormers and brick chimneys, many showing their age at the flashing.
Along Division and Hawthorne, the older one and two story commercial buildings have flat roofs behind parapets, draining through scuppers or internal drains. Newer mixed-use buildings carry TPO membranes with rooftop units and decks. Between them are converted houses and small apartment buildings where a roof might combine a pitched main section with flat additions at the back, each needing different materials and flashing where they meet.
Which roof problems hit Richmond buildings hardest?
Ponding water on flat storefront roofs
Older flat roofs on Hawthorne and Division have low spots where water sits for days. Standing water breaks down the membrane and finds every seam. We add crickets or tapered insulation and clear scuppers so the roof drains.
Leaky porch roofs on Old Portland homes
The low-slope porch roofs on tall Richmond homes catch water from the main roof above. Shingles were often used where a membrane belonged. We replace them with torch-down or EPDM and flash the wall joint properly.
Pitched and flat roofs meeting
Converted plexes often have a flat rear addition tied into a pitched main roof. The transition is a common leak point. We rebuild it with membrane carried up under the shingles and metal flashing over the joint.
Worn roofs on rental plexes
Multi-unit roofs in Richmond often run past their life because repairs were patched year after year. We inspect the whole roof, give owners a clear picture of remaining life, and schedule replacement around tenants.
Rooftop units and penetrations
Mixed-use buildings have HVAC curbs, vent stacks and roof hatches. Each penetration needs a sealed boot or curb flashing. Failed sealant around them is one of the most common leaks on Richmond commercial roofs.
Roofing services in Richmond
In Richmond we work on flat and low-slope roofs as often as pitched ones, so this list leans toward membranes, plexes and storefronts alongside full home reroofs.
Flat Roof Repair
Low-slope roofs in Portland hold water for months at a time. We find where it's getting in, repair the membrane, seams and drains, and get your flat...
Flat Roof Replacement
When a Portland flat roof has more patches than original membrane, it's time to start over. We strip it to the deck, fix the drainage and install a...
Apartment & Multifamily Roofing
Roof work on Portland apartments, condo buildings and fourplexes, planned around tenants, parking, board approvals and the wet season so residents...
Commercial Roof Repair
A drip over a register, a server room or a stack of inventory can't wait. We respond to commercial roof leaks around Portland, stop the water, and...
TPO Roofing
TPO is a single-ply membrane with seams welded by hot air instead of glued. On Portland low-slope roofs that sit wet for months, those fused seams...
Torch-Down & Modified Bitumen
Torch-down covers a huge share of older Portland flat roofs, from porch roofs on Craftsman homes to storefront buildings on Hawthorne. We install new...
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...
EPDM Rubber Roofing
EPDM is the black rubber sheet on thousands of Portland garages, dormers and additions. We install new fully adhered rubber roofs and repair the...
How we schedule work in busy Richmond
Parking near Division and Hawthorne is tight, so we plan deliveries early in the day and keep our trailer footprint small. For storefronts, we coordinate roof access and noisy work around business hours. For rentals, we give owners a schedule to share with tenants and protect porches and walkways during the job. Tall Old Portland homes need taller ladders and safety setups, which we price into the estimate. Every job starts with a written estimate based on what we found up top.
Roofing questions from Richmond
What flat roof material works best on a Richmond storefront?
For most Richmond storefronts on Division and Hawthorne, TPO or a two-ply torch-down system both work well. TPO reflects heat and has heat-welded seams, while torch-down handles foot traffic and patches easily. We look at your drainage, rooftop equipment and budget before recommending one, and price both if it's close.
Can you reroof a Richmond fourplex without disrupting tenants?
Yes. On Richmond plexes we work section by section and dry in each part the same day, so no unit is left exposed. We give owners a schedule for tenant notice, keep entries clear and clean up nails and debris daily. Most small plex reroofs take a few working days depending on size and decking.
Why does the porch roof on my Richmond house keep leaking?
Porch roofs on older Richmond homes are usually low in slope and catch runoff from the main roof above. When they were shingled instead of covered with a membrane, water backs up under the shingles. Replacing the surface with torch-down or EPDM and reflashing the wall joint usually ends the leaks.
Do you repair roofs on Richmond mixed-use buildings with rooftop units?
We do. Richmond mixed-use buildings often have HVAC curbs, vents and hatches on TPO or modified bitumen roofs. We reseal or replace curb flashing, install new pipe boots, and patch damaged membrane around the equipment. If the membrane is aging overall, we'll give you a separate price for replacement.
Nearby places we roof
Roof trouble in Richmond?
Call and describe what you are seeing. We answer 24/7 and send a roofer as soon as one is free.