1. Take a good look at your roof
You do not necessarily need to climb up there. From the ground, look for missing or damaged shingles, moss buildup, damaged flashing or anything that looks different from last year. If the roof is getting older or you have noticed any signs of leakage, August is a much nicer time to have it inspected than November during the first major rainstorm.
2. Clean gutters and check downspouts
Leaves haven't all fallen yet, but gutters can already contain needles, moss and debris. Make sure water can move freely and that downspouts discharge away from the foundation. On the North Shore, where we get so much rain, this one is particularly important.
3. Walk around the house and think about drainage
Look for areas where soil has settled, drains are blocked or water could pool beside the house. Clear catch basins and perimeter drains where accessible, and make sure landscaping isn't directing water toward the foundation.
This could be one of your strongest points because homeowners often don't think about drainage until there is a problem.
4. Check exterior caulking and seals
Have a look around windows, doors, exterior penetrations and siding. Cracked or missing caulking is relatively inexpensive to address but can allow moisture into places you really don't want it.
5. Service the furnace or heat pump
Before everyone switches the heat back on, change or clean filters and consider booking routine servicing. It is also a good time to check thermostats and make sure vents aren't blocked by furniture.
6. Deal with the fireplace before you want to use it
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, chimney or gas fireplace that hasn't been serviced in a while, deal with it now rather than the first cold weekend of the year.
7. Give decks, stairs and railings a once-over
Look for loose boards, rotting wood, peeling finishes, unstable railings or areas where water tends to sit. Late summer is still a good window for staining, sealing and exterior repairs.
8. Trim back trees and landscaping
Cut vegetation away from the house, roof and gutters. Check for branches that could become troublesome during fall windstorms and make sure exterior drains aren't hidden underneath overgrown plants.
You could also mention that larger tree work is best left to a qualified arborist.
9. Look for the little things you've been ignoring
A dripping exterior tap, slow drain, cracked seal, loose handrail, small stain on a ceiling or musty smell may seem insignificant now. Small clues are often much easier and less expensive to investigate before they become larger problems.
Pay Particular Attention to Water - Gutters, drains, grading, roofs, caulking and vegetation all come back to the same issue here: keeping our considerable rainfall outside the house and moving away from it.
Keep a record of the work you do.
Receipts, warranties, servicing records and invoices are worth keeping. They help you maintain the home properly, and if you eventually sell, they can also give a buyer useful reassurance that the property has been cared for.
Homes rarely need everything done at once. The trick is noticing the little maintenance items early and dealing with them before our wet West Coast weather turns them into something bigger.
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