The PNW Seasonal Home Maintenance Calendar
What to do every January, April, July, and October to keep a Pacific Northwest home dry, warm, and worth more — month by month.
The Pacific Northwest beats up a house in a way Phoenix or Houston don't — constant wet, big firs, freeze-thaw at elevation, and salt air on the coast. Run this calendar and you'll dodge 90% of the expensive surprises.
🍃 Fall (Sept–Nov) — the most important season
- Clean gutters and downspouts (twice — early Oct and late Nov after needle drop)
- Have heat pump or furnace serviced before first cold snap
- Drain and shut off exterior hose bibs to prevent burst pipes
- Trim tree limbs within 10 ft of roof or power lines
- Reseal exterior caulking around windows and doors
- Sweep the chimney if you use the fireplace
- Test sump pump before atmospheric river season
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — defense mode
- Replace HVAC filter monthly (heating runs hard)
- Run bathroom fans 20 min after showers to fight mold
- Open cabinet doors under sinks during cold snaps
- Watch for ice dams on north-facing eaves — clear snow within 3 ft of the edge
- Don't ignore a small roof leak — winter is when 1 shingle becomes $20k
- Get a generator + propane if you're east of the Cascades
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🌷 Spring (Mar–May) — assess and repair
- Roof inspection from the ground (binoculars) — call a pro if you see missing or curled shingles
- Pressure wash decks, fences, and driveways
- Reseal deck every 2–3 years (PNW UV + rain is brutal on stain)
- Service A/C if you have central air or a heat pump for cooling
- Aerate, overseed, and fertilize the lawn
- Check the foundation for new cracks after winter freeze-thaw
- Replace smoke and CO detector batteries
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — exterior project window
- Exterior paint (it has to be ≥50°F and dry for 24 hr — June–early Sept only)
- Stain the deck while it's warm and dry
- Crawlspace inspection — check for moisture, rodents, vapor barrier integrity
- Power-wash the house siding
- Re-mulch landscaping to retain moisture
- Defensible space if you're in wildfire country (eastern WA, southern OR, all of Idaho)
- Schedule fall HVAC service now — pros book out by August
What to do once a year (any season)
- Flush the water heater
- Lubricate garage door hinges and chain
- Replace water filter cartridges
- Walk the entire roof line from the ground looking for anything off
- Test GFCI outlets
→ Most of these are 1-hour pro jobs. Get a quote from a vetted local pro.
Common questions
What home maintenance matters most in the Pacific Northwest?+
Moisture management: clean gutters before the fall rains, keep tree limbs off the roof, and check crawlspace drainage. Most expensive PNW home repairs start as water that had nowhere to go.
When should I clean my gutters in Washington?+
Late fall after the leaves drop, and again in spring. Homes under conifers often need a mid-winter check too.
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