Willamette Valley Home Owners (real estate, insurance, mortgage)

[Radio Flyer]

What are your biggest concerns?

What do you worry about the most and where do spend your money?

I'm aware of the mold issue, what else?

Thanks,
A winter weary New Englander

[gray horse]

I have to mow my lawn a lot in the Spring, when you can almost watch the grass grow. We have had a mild winter so we are mowing every 3-4 weeks.

If you have dogs, expect muddy footprints in the rainy season (unless you have a mudroom).

Moss.

[jjpop]

Water/moisture under the house.

Carpenter ants.

Large unstable/rotting trees during windstorms.

Roof maintenance.

[Radio Flyer]

This might sound like a dumb question, but what does the water/moisture under the house do, besides cause mold?

When we lived in CA, this wasn't an issue as it hardly rains...and here in Maine, most homes have basements, where flooding in the spring can be a problem, but that's another issue.

I hadn't thought of the unstable/rotting trees problem. That happens here too, but you've got some monsters out there, so I'm sure it's more of a worry.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Radio Flyer

This might sound like a dumb question, but what does the water/moisture under the house do, besides cause mold?

1) We have a lot of clay soil out here in Oregon. When it is wet it expands, when it is dry it shrinks. This puts a lot of pressure on foundations. As such, keeping water away from your foundation is helpful to keep the foundation in good shape.

2) If you have water and moisture in your crawlspace, it can cause the joists to rot if they are submerged in water or constantly wet. Wood isn't meant to be wet year round.

3) Water+ cellulose (ie wood)=happy termite potential.

[Larry Caldwell]

Damp wood is home to the dry rot fungus. Do not buy a home without a 6 mil plastic vapor barrier in the crawl space and adequate foundation ventilation.

If you are near a water source, dauber wasps are a big nuisance. They don't sting, but build mud nests in your eaves that you are continually having to hose off and brush down.

Oregon has lots of houses in flood plains. Avoid them. The feds are phasing out flood insurance subsidy. Your bank will require flood insurance, which could be more than the mortgage payment.

Likewise, be cautious of geohazard zones. Slides happen all the time. Home insurance doesn't cover dirt, so if your lot goes away you are sunk.

[Radio Flyer]

Thanks, everyone.

Concerning roofs...Are we talking moisture problems in this area too? In some real estate photos, it looks like moss is actually growing on some roofs.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Radio Flyer

Thanks, everyone.

Concerning roofs...Are we talking moisture problems in this area too? In some real estate photos, it looks like moss is actually growing on some roofs.

Yes. Moss grows on roofs here. Most people should do an annual treatment. Just regular homeowner maintenance.

[bler144]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

Yes. Moss grows on roofs here. Most people should do an annual treatment. Just regular homeowner maintenance.

Right - the moisture itself isn't the problem. It doesn't really pour here, and ice/snow is a rarity, particularly at the volumes needed to damage a roof.

The moisture facilitates moss growth- over time moss will grow into and under your shingling and through the underlayment, essentially poking holes in your water proofing, and acting as a sponge in the barrier over said waterproofing.

If you live in a shady lot or have roof that is north-facing, your rate of moss growth will generally be faster, and you'll have to be more proactive.