Do you really offer a free mold inspection in Portland?

Yes. Because PNW mold is so common, we come out, inspect visible growth and moisture readings, and give you a written scope at no cost across the Portland metro.

Some species produce mycotoxins and can trigger allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues. The CDC recommends professional removal for any visible indoor mold.

Will insurance cover mold?

Coverage varies. Mold caused by a sudden covered loss (like a burst pipe) is often covered up to a sub-limit; long-term crawl-space moisture is usually excluded.

Do you really offer a free mold inspection in Portland?

Yes. Portland's climate makes mold so common that we come out, inspect visible growth and take moisture readings, and provide a written scope at no cost across the full Portland metro service area.

Is black mold actually dangerous?

Stachybotrys chartarum (often called black mold) gets the headlines, but many common indoor molds - Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium - can cause allergic, asthmatic, or respiratory issues. The CDC notes that any visible indoor mold should be removed regardless of color.

Should I test before remediation?

Usually no. If you can see growth or smell it, the next step is to identify and stop the moisture source and remediate. Testing is most useful when there is no visible growth but symptoms suggest a hidden source, or when you need third-party clearance documentation.

Will my insurance cover mold remediation?

Coverage depends on cause. Sudden, accidental losses (burst pipes) often have a mold sub-limit of $5,000 to $10,000. Long-term crawl space humidity, deferred maintenance, and flood-related mold are typically excluded.

Can you remediate without tearing out drywall?

Sometimes, when growth is surface-only on non-porous materials. Mold that has grown into the back of drywall, into framing, or behind insulation requires removal per IICRC S520. Surface treatment alone is insufficient.

How long does the work take?

Most contained residential projects complete in 3 to 7 days plus dry-out and rebuild.

Portland & the Portland Metro, OR · 24/7

Mold Damage Remediation

Free mold inspection, IICRC S520 containment and removal across the Portland metro.

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IICRC Certified
S500 / S520 standards
EPA Lead-Safe (RRP)
Certified renovator
Insurance Approved
Direct billing
BBB Accredited
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Portland homeowners

Mold Damage Remediation in Portland & the Portland Metro

The Portland metro is one of the mold-friendliest climates in the country. Nine months of wet-season rain, vented crawl spaces sitting on saturated Willamette Valley soils, and thousands of pre-1950 homes with plaster-and-lath walls create ideal conditions for indoor mold growth. Most calls we get are reactive: homeowners smell something musty in a basement, spot staining behind baseboards, or fail a real-estate inspection.

Our IICRC-certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) follow the IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation. We do not just remove visible growth. We identify the moisture source, contain the work area to prevent cross-contamination, and verify clearance after remediation.

We offer a free mold inspection across the Portland metro. Because we do not perform our own clearance testing on projects we remediate, you avoid a conflict of interest. When third-party testing is required, we recommend an independent industrial hygienist.

Free mold inspection across Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Vancouver WA
Containment with negative-air HEPA filtration
Safe removal of contaminated materials per IICRC S520
Antimicrobial treatment of all surfaces
Moisture-source identification and repair

Mold Damage Remediation crew working in Portland, OR - Independent Restoration Services

Free Mold Inspection Portland

No-cost mold inspection across the Portland metro

Free written scope. No obligation. Serving Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Vancouver WA, and every city in our service area.

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Common Causes

What causes mold damage remediation in Portland homes

Vented crawl space humidity

Portland crawl spaces routinely run 75 to 90 percent relative humidity during wet season, well above the 60 percent threshold where mold thrives on joists and subfloor.

Undetected slow leaks

A pinhole supply line, failed shower pan, or roof flashing leak can feed mold in a wall cavity for years before becoming visible.

Improper bathroom ventilation

Bath fans that vent into attic space rather than outside deposit moisture into insulation and dry to mold growth in Portland's damp climate.

Roof leaks and moss lift

Northwest moss lifts shingles, letting wet-season rain saturate attic decking and insulation.

Window and single-pane condensation

Original wood windows in older Portland Craftsmans drip onto sills and frames every winter.

Basement seepage

Perimeter drains that fail during atmospheric river events push chronic moisture into finished basements throughout SE, NE, and North Portland.

Warning Signs

How to tell you have a problem

Visible black, green, white, or pink growth on walls, ceilings, or framing
Persistent musty or earthy odor, especially near the crawl-space hatch
Worsening allergy or asthma symptoms while at home
Discoloration on drywall or behind furniture against exterior walls
Peeling paint, bubbling wallpaper, or soft baseboards
Recent water damage that was not professionally dried

What To Do Right Now

Before our crew arrives

1
Do not disturb visible growth
Brushing, scrubbing, or bleach-spraying mold releases millions of spores into the air and spreads the problem.
2
Reduce humidity
Run dehumidifiers and avoid adding moisture. Vent showers, run bath fans 30-plus minutes after bathing, and do not use humidifiers indoors.
3
Contain the area
Close doors to affected rooms. Avoid running HVAC if growth is near returns.
4
Find and stop the moisture source
Mold cannot grow without moisture. Removing growth without fixing the source guarantees it returns.
5
Get a free inspection
Visible growth larger than 10 square feet, or any growth from a Category 3 water source, requires professional remediation per IICRC S520. Our Portland inspection is free.

Call (503) 883-8429 24/7

How It Works

Our Process

1
Free inspection
We inspect the growth, identify the moisture source, and provide a written scope at no cost.
2
Contain
Seal the area with poly and negative-air HEPA scrubbers to protect the rest of the home.
3
Remove
Safely demo and bag affected materials per IICRC S520 standards.
4
Treat and verify
Antimicrobial application and post-remediation verification.

On The Job

Recent mold damage remediation work in Portland

Real photos from IRS crews on the Portland metro job sites - not stock imagery.

Mold growth on wall and floor corner in a Portland home — Containment built before any disturbance

IRS technician fogging an area for mold remediation in Portland — Antimicrobial fogging after physical removal

Extensive mold growth on kitchen cabinet and wall in a Portland home — Cabinet and finish removal when contamination is heavy

Professional Equipment

The equipment we bring on every job

Consumer-grade tools won't reach professional dry standard or meet industry remediation requirements. Our crews arrive fully equipped from a Portland-based fleet - no waiting on rented gear from out of town.

Negative-air HEPA filtration scrubbers
Six-mil polyethylene containment with zipper doors
Personal protective equipment (full-face APR, Tyvek)
HEPA vacuums certified for microbial work
Moisture meters and infrared cameras
EPA-registered antimicrobials and biocides
Soda blasting and damp wiping for framing decontamination

Standards & Certifications

Held to documented industry standards

All projects follow the IICRC ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation and reference the EPA's mold remediation guidance. We do not use bleach as a remediation tool. The EPA does not recommend it on porous surfaces, and IICRC S520 does not list it as an effective mold remediation product.

Local & Independent

Why Portland homeowners choose a local restoration team

Portland housing stock is unique. Pre-war NE Portland Craftsmans and Foursquares, mid-century Beaverton and Milwaukie ranches, and newer Bethany, Bull Mountain, and Happy Valley subdivisions all have characteristic moisture issues we see weekly.

We know which inner Portland neighborhoods sit on high water tables, which 1990s builders vented bath fans into attics, and how proximity to the Willamette and Columbia rivers affects basement humidity in Sellwood, St. Johns, and downtown Vancouver WA.

About IRS of Portland Info for insurance agents Info for property managers Commercial Mold Remediation

Insurance & Pricing

Direct insurance billing - and what to expect on cost

Mold caused by a sudden, accidental, covered loss (a burst pipe, a broken supply line) is typically covered up to a sub-limit. Long-term crawl-space humidity, deferred maintenance leaks, and flood-source mold are usually excluded.

We document the moisture source carefully, which often makes the difference between a covered and denied claim.

Typical project ranges

Small contained mold remediation jobs in the Portland metro (one bathroom, a closet) start around $1,500. Full crawl space remediation with vapor barrier replacement typically runs $4,000 to $9,000. Large basement or whole-house projects with significant containment and demolition can reach $10,000 to $25,000-plus. We provide a written scope after our free inspection.

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