Home Maintenance for New Owners

Spring — recover from winter, prep for the dry season

The wet season did its damage; now's the time to find and fix it before summer.

• Service your heat pump / AC before the first warm stretch.
• Clean gutters and confirm downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
• Inspect the roof for moss, lifted or missing shingles, and winter damage — moss holds moisture and shortens roof life.
• Check exterior caulking and touch up paint where weather has worn it.

Summer — the dry window for exterior work

Our reliably dry summers are the only stretch for projects that need things to actually stay dry.

• Pressure-wash siding and decks; reseal or stain wood before fall rains return.
• Reseal windows and doors; check weatherstripping.
• Service irrigation and trim trees and shrubs back from the house and roofline.
• Test exterior drainage and clean any French drains or catch basins while they're dry.

Fall — the most important season in the PNW

Everything you do now pays off across months of rain. If you only get serious once a year, make it now.

• Clean gutters again right before the heavy rains — clogged gutters cause the region's most common (and costly) water damage.
• Schedule a furnace/heat-pump inspection and replace filters before heating season.
• Treat roof moss and clear drains, downspout extensions, and yard catch basins.
• Check grading so water flows away from — not toward — the foundation.

Winter — protect against cold snaps and moisture

Cold is occasional here, but moisture is constant — manage both.

• Insulate exposed pipes (and know where your main water shutoff is) before a freeze.
• Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors; replace batteries.
• Watch for condensation and mold in bathrooms, closets, and poorly ventilated rooms — run bath/kitchen fans and crack windows occasionally.
• Keep an eye on crawlspaces and basements for standing water during heavy rain.

Build a simple system

Keep a one-page home binder: appliance ages and warranties, paint colors, filter sizes, and a list of trusted local pros (roofer, plumber, electrician, HVAC, handyman). When something breaks at 9pm, you'll be glad you have a number to call instead of a panicked search. A little structure turns ownership from stressful to routine.