Portland Home Inspection Blog

Real Answers from a Certified Master Inspector

Every article on this blog is written by Russ Motyko, a CMI and licensed general contractor with 3,000+ completed inspections in Oregon and Washington. No filler, no generics. Just the information that actually helps.

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Latest • Home Inspection

What Home Inspectors Can’t Inspect: The Limits Every Buyer Should Understand

Home inspectors are thorough but not all-knowing. Learn what home inspectors in Portland are and aren't able to inspect, so you know when to call in additional specialists.

Feb 19, 2026 8 min read Read Article
Home Inspection

How to Read a Home Inspection Report: A Buyer’s Complete Guide

Your inspection report can feel overwhelming. Here's how to read a home inspection report in Portland like a...

Feb 19, 2026 • 8 min read
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Home Inspection

Crawl Space Encapsulation in Portland: Sealed vs. Vented Crawl Spaces Explained

Crawl space encapsulation can protect your Portland home from moisture, mold, and structural damage. Learn what it involves,...

Feb 19, 2026 • 8 min read
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Home Inspection

Lead Paint in Portland Homes: What Buyers and Homeowners Need to Know

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint. Learn how Portland home inspectors identify lead paint risks, what...

Feb 19, 2026 • 7 min read
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Home Inspection

Asbestos in Portland Homes: What Home Inspectors Find and What to Do

Asbestos is common in Portland homes built before 1980. Here's where it hides, how inspectors identify suspect materials,...

Feb 19, 2026 • 9 min read
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Home Inspection

Double-Tapped Breakers: What They Are, Why They’re a Problem, and What to Do

Double-tapped breakers are one of the most common electrical deficiencies found in Portland home inspections. Here's what they...

Feb 19, 2026 • 8 min read
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Home Inspection

GFCI and AFCI Outlets: What They Are and Why Home Inspectors Flag Them

Missing GFCI and AFCI protection is flagged in nearly every older Portland home inspection. Learn what these outlets...

Feb 19, 2026 • 9 min read
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Attic

Attic Ventilation Myths: What Portland Homeowners Get Wrong

The default answer to attic moisture problems is always 'add more ventilation.' Building science says that's usually wrong....

Feb 19, 2026 • 25 min read
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Defects

Galvanized Steel Water Supply Pipe: What It Means When Your Inspection Report Flags It

Galvanized steel supply pipe was the residential plumbing standard before 1960. In older Portland homes it remains common,...

Feb 19, 2026 • 8 min read
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Attic

Night Sky Radiational Cooling: Why Portland’s Clear Winter Nights Are Rotting Your Roof From the Inside

On a clear 43°F October night in Portland, frost is forming on rooftops — and moisture is condensing...

Feb 19, 2026 • 11 min read
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