Home Maintenance in the Pacific Northwest

Just as we care for our physical health, as homeowners, it is important to remember to schedule home maintenance as a part of keeping up on your home’s well-being and to prepare for harsher weather.

More than other areas in the U.S. the Pacific Northwest experiences wet weather, and as a result water damage can become a major issue.  To guard against water damage, take some time early in fall to tighten up your home to keep it dry and warm for the winter months.  So as the leaves change color and begin to fall, think of it as your signal to “check up” on some key home maintenance tasks for outside and inside your Pacific Northwest home.  If you would like a more in-depth checklist, please click here to download our Ultimate Guide to Home Maintenance in the Pacific Northwest.

OUTSIDE INSIDE MAINTENENCE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Rake Leaves
• Aerate lawn
• Fertilize your lawn
• Weed, rake, compost and mulch your garden beds
• Plan next year’s spring bulbs while the soil is cool (and not yet frozen)
• Trim back dead branches from trees in your yard
• Prune your plants to ensure strong healthy growth in the Spring
• Remove any loose wood that is close to your home (to help keep Pacific Northwest carpenter ants at bay)
• Make sure you have a working snow shovel and stock up on ice melt
• Remove moss from your roof
• Inspect shingles and skylights for damage or leaks; click here for a DIY guide to roof inspections
• Clean and store your summer outdoor equipment (think BBQ’s, lawn chairs, umbrellas and children’s toys)
• Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping
• Drain and cover pipes/exterior faucets
• Power-wash sidewalks/driveway
• Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway, as needed.
• Look for signs of rotting or damage in/on wood decks.
• Power wash deck, stain/paint and seal with a water-repellent sealer.
• Remove leaves and debris from your gutters to ensure efficient run-off for the upcoming heavy rains and snow.

INSIDE MAINTENENCE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Check doors and windows to make sure no air is coming through. If it is, replace your weather stripping. Click here to learn more about winterizing your home.
• Test your thermostat and make sure it is working properly
• Clean your windows. Click here for tips on window maintenance.
• Drain your water heater and clean out any debris that may have settled in the tank.

• Replace your furnace filter; click here to learn about the signs of failing HVAC systems
• Do a deep clean on your carpets, window coverings and upholstery
• De-clutter your home of unwanted items and donate to a local charity
• Organize each room of your home for maximum efficiency
• Clean windows (inside and out) to enhance interior lighting with natural light
• Replace batteries in smoke detectors and make sure you have a smoke detector on every floors of your home, including the basement.
• Replace carbon monoxide detectors, as needed (unlike smoke detectors, these typically do not require battery replacement because they last 5 years and then need to be thrown out and replaced.)
• If you didn’t get your chimney cleaned and inspected in the spring do so now, before you will be using your fireplace.
• Stock up on seasoned firewood if you plan to use your fireplace during the winter (note: Stack wood on pallets, so it does not sit on the moist ground. Don’t pack the wood to tightly, or fungus could grow. Cover the wood with plastic sheeting, making sure it does not touch the ground).

NOTE: Most home maintenance items can be accomplished without the help of a professional, however the following items should be inspected and serviced annually by a professional:

• HVAC (Heating, Venting Air Conditioning)
• Fireplace
• Septic Tank
• Roof
• Pests
• Garage Door

If you are curious about what home maintenance tasks should be done in the Spring, click here.

If all this home maintenance talk has prompted you to dream about remodeling your home, give us a call at 425.870.8123 and our team at VanderBeken Remodel would be happy to discuss with you the possibilities of bringing those dreams to life.