The 1990s were a decade of major changes in home design, but some of the materials and methods used during this era turned out to be serious problems. The Portland area was hit especially hard by two specific construction failures that inspectors still find in 1990s homes every single week.
LP Siding Is Falling Apart
Louisiana-Pacific, or LP, siding was one of the most popular exterior siding choices of the 1990s. It is a composite wood product made from wood strands and resins pressed together. The problem is that when the factory-applied primer and paint fails, which it eventually does, the edges of the siding panels absorb moisture like a sponge. Once moisture gets in, fungal decay spreads quickly through the material.
Homes with LP siding in the Portland area are often well past the point where painting can save them. You can see the damage as bubbling, swelling, softness when pressed, or visible dark staining at the bottom edges of each course of siding. In some cases the damage extends into the wall framing and sheathing behind the siding.
There was a class action settlement over LP siding. The settlement period has ended, but replacement siding is still the correct solution. Replacing the full exterior of a home is a significant cost, typically $15,000 to $40,000 or more depending on the size of the house and the amount of damage beneath the surface.
EIFS Synthetic Stucco Traps Water
EIFS stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish System. It is sometimes called synthetic stucco or Dryvit. The product looks great when new, but the original installation method did not include a drainage plane behind the foam panels. That meant any water that got behind the system had nowhere to go.
Water finds its way in at windows, doors, trim joints, and roof intersections. Once behind the EIFS, it sits against the OSB sheathing and framing. OSB, which is the engineered wood panel used for wall sheathing in 1990s construction, has very low tolerance for extended moisture exposure. It breaks down relatively quickly compared to old-growth plywood. By the time the damage is visible inside the house, the rot behind the EIFS can be extensive.
Homes with EIFS should have a moisture probe inspection in addition to the standard visual inspection. A competent inspector will probe behind the surface at vulnerable locations to check for elevated moisture levels. Thermal imaging is also very effective at identifying cold, wet areas behind EIFS that cannot be seen otherwise.
Polybutylene Plumbing Still Common
Polybutylene pipe, the gray plastic supply pipe with silver crimp fittings, was installed through the mid-1990s. If a 1990s home still has its original plumbing, check for polybutylene. Chlorine in Portland’s water supply degrades the material from the inside over time, leading to failures at the fittings. Budget for full replumbing if polybutylene is found.
ABS Drain Pipe Issues
The 1990s also saw widespread use of ABS plastic drain pipe. ABS is generally reliable, but improper installation and the use of off-brand or incompatible cement can cause joints to fail over time. A sewer scope inspection will reveal any bellied sections, root intrusion, or joint failures in the drain system that are not visible from above.
Challenger Electrical Panels
Challenger electrical panels were installed in some 1990s homes and have since been recalled. Like Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels from earlier decades, Challenger breakers can fail to trip during an overload, allowing wires to overheat. If a 1990s home has a Challenger panel, replacement is recommended. An insurance carrier may require it before issuing or renewing a policy.
Complex Rooflines Create Multiple Leak Points
1990s home design favored complex roof shapes with multiple gables, valleys, and dormers. Every one of those intersections is a potential leak location. The kick-out flashing that is supposed to direct water away from the wall at the end of a roof valley was frequently installed improperly or left out entirely. When it rains 36 inches per year, even small flashing failures lead to significant water intrusion over time.
OSB Sheathing Is Moisture Sensitive
Even in homes without EIFS, the switch to OSB sheathing in the 1990s creates a vulnerability. If any water gets into the wall assembly through siding, roofing, or window flashing failures, the OSB can swell and break down much faster than older plywood sheathing would have. A leak that would have been a minor inconvenience in a 1970s home can become a structural repair in a 1990s home.
Fogging Double-Pane Windows
The 1990s used double-pane windows extensively. These windows have a sealed argon gas space between the two panes that provides insulation. When the seal fails, the argon escapes and moisture enters the space between the glass. The result is foggy, cloudy glass that cannot be cleaned because the moisture is inside the sealed unit. Failed window seals do not affect the structure, but they do affect energy efficiency and visibility. Replace the glazing units or the full windows as budget allows.
What You Should Do Before Buying
A 1990s home inspection should specifically identify the siding material. If it is LP siding or EIFS, probe it carefully for moisture and rot. Check every roof valley and flashing location. Check the electrical panel brand. Look for gray polybutylene supply pipes. Add a sewer scope inspection. Test for radon. Thermal imaging is especially valuable on 1990s homes because it can find moisture trapped behind siding and around windows that a visual inspection will not reveal.
Contact Trusted Home Inspections to book your inspection. Free thermal imaging is included with every inspection because we know how important it is for homes from this era.