A Little Fall Home Love: Caring for Your Home in the Pacific Northwest

Fall in the Pacific Northwest is one of my favorite times of year. The leaves start changing, the rain returns, the days get shorter, and suddenly spending a little more time at home sounds pretty wonderful.

There's something about putting on a record, making something warm to drink, and watching the seasons change outside your window that makes this time of year feel special.

I'm personally looking forward to king tide season starting in November. Living near the water, I love watching how the landscape changes with the seasons, and there's something about the moody water, dramatic skies, and stormy days that I really enjoy. Of course, appreciating all that weather also means being prepared for it. At my building, that means making sure the drains are clear and having sandbags ready when needed.

It's a good reminder that while we're enjoying everything that makes fall so beautiful, our homes need a little extra attention, too.

We ask a lot of our homes here in the Pacific Northwest. Months of rain, wind, falling leaves, colder temperatures, and the occasional freeze can take a toll. The good news is that a little preventative maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your home comfortable and avoiding some expensive surprises down the road.

Whether you've owned your home for twenty years or just picked up your keys, here are a few things worth checking this fall.

Let's start with the gutters and drainage

If there's one thing we can count on in Seattle, it's rain. And if there's one thing our trees are generous with this time of year, it's leaves.

Unfortunately, those two things aren't always the best combination for our homes.

Leaves, pine needles, and debris can quickly clog gutters and downspouts, causing water to overflow where we don't want it. Fall is a great time to get those gutters cleaned and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation.

I also recommend taking a walk around your property during or after a good rain. It's one of the easiest ways to see how your drainage is actually working. Are there areas where water is pooling? Are the storm drains clear? Is water moving away from the building?

For those of us living near the water, king tides and winter storms add another layer to think about. I'm already planning to check the drains around my building and make sure our sandbags are ready. It's not the most glamorous fall activity, but it's a whole lot better than dealing with water where it shouldn't be.

Water is going to find somewhere to go. Our job is to help make sure it isn't finding its way inside.

A roofer's daughter is always going to tell you to look up

Here's a little something about me: I'm a roofer's daughter, so paying attention to what's happening above our heads comes pretty naturally.

I grew up understanding that a roof is one of the most important parts of protecting a home, and it's also one of those things people don't always think about until there's a problem.

Fall is a good time to take a look at your roof, especially before the heavier winter weather arrives. Keep an eye out for missing or damaged shingles, moss buildup, branches touching the roof, or anything that looks a little out of place.

And can we talk about skylights for a minute? I love them. Natural light makes such a difference in a home, especially during our darker months. There's something pretty wonderful about looking up through a skylight and seeing the fall colors.

But skylights, chimneys, vents, and other roof openings are also areas where flashing and seals deserve attention. If you notice staining, bubbling paint, or moisture around a skylight, it's worth having someone take a closer look.

You don't need to get up on your roof to do this. In fact, I'd encourage you not to. A visual check from the ground and a call to a trusted professional when something doesn't look right is a much safer approach.

Let's talk about moisture, because we live in the PNW

One thing I've learned from working with homes is that water has a way of finding the smallest opportunities.

And it's not always a dramatic leak that causes problems. Sometimes it's a slow drip under a sink, condensation collecting around a window, or a bathroom that never quite dries out after a shower.

Fall is a great time to take a closer look at the places in your home where water is regularly present.

Check under sinks, around toilets, tubs, and showers, and around visible plumbing connections. Look for signs of moisture, soft spots, peeling paint, or musty smells.

Make sure your bathroom exhaust fans are working properly and venting outside. If your mirror stays foggy long after you've finished showering, it might be worth checking whether your fan is doing its job.

And don't forget the caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks. It's a relatively small thing to maintain, but it can make a big difference in preventing water damage.

Give your heating system a little attention

That first chilly morning has a way of reminding us whether the heat is working.

Before we're relying on it every day, replace dirty air filters and consider scheduling seasonal maintenance for your furnace or heat pump. Regular servicing can help systems run more efficiently and identify small issues before they become bigger problems.

While you're thinking about heating, it's also a good time to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check whether any units need replacing.

Check your windows and doors

As temperatures drop, small drafts become a lot more noticeable.

Take a walk around your home and check the weatherstripping on exterior doors, the caulking around windows, and any areas where you can feel cold air coming through.

Pay attention to window frames and sills for signs of moisture, especially in older homes. Sometimes a small repair or a little fresh weatherstripping can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable your home feels.

Fireplace season is here

If you have a fireplace, there's something pretty wonderful about that first fire of the season.

Before lighting it, make sure your fireplace and chimney have been inspected and cleaned as appropriate, particularly if you have a wood-burning fireplace.

A cozy fire is a lot more enjoyable when you know everything is working safely.

Show your outdoor spaces a little love

Our yards, patios, decks, and landscaping need seasonal attention, too.

Clear leaves from walkways, stairs, decks, and drainage areas where they can become slippery or trap moisture. Take a look at trees and shrubs near the house, especially branches hanging over the roof or close to power lines.

If you have outdoor furniture or seasonal equipment, consider cleaning and storing anything that won't be used much until spring.

And while you're outside, check your exterior lighting. With the days getting shorter, it's worth making sure entrances, walkways, stairs, and house numbers are easy to see.

Don't forget outdoor plumbing

We might not get months of freezing temperatures in Seattle, but anyone who has experienced a Pacific Northwest cold snap knows how quickly frozen pipes can become a problem.

Disconnect garden hoses before freezing weather arrives, check outdoor faucets for leaks, and make sure vulnerable pipes are properly protected.

If you have an irrigation system, it's also worth looking into what needs to be done to prepare it for winter.

A little preparation now is much easier than dealing with a burst pipe later.

Check for unwanted houseguests

As the weather cools down, we're not the only ones looking for somewhere warm and dry.

Mice and other pests can find their way through surprisingly small openings, so take a walk around your home and look for gaps around pipes, vents, doors, windows, and the foundation.

Sealing small openings, while keeping required ventilation clear, can help prevent some unwelcome surprises later.

Be ready for a stormy night

If you've lived in the Pacific Northwest for a while, you probably have at least one story about losing power during a windstorm.

Fall is a good time to check your emergency supplies. Make sure flashlights work, batteries are available, and you have drinking water, first-aid supplies, and other essentials somewhere easy to find.

It's also worth knowing where your main water shutoff is located and how to use it. If a plumbing emergency happens, that knowledge can make a huge difference.

And if your property is in an area vulnerable to flooding or coastal high water, take some time to understand your risks and have a plan before the next big storm. Sandbags can help with minor water intrusion when used properly, but they aren't a substitute for a larger flood protection plan.

Hopefully, you won't need any of it. But it's always nice to be prepared.

Taking care of the place that takes care of you

I spend a lot of time helping people find homes, but I think there's another part of real estate that deserves just as much attention: caring for those homes once they're yours.

Having worked in both real estate and property management, I've seen how much of a difference a little preventative care can make. Homes have a way of telling us when something needs attention, and the earlier we listen, the better.

I also know that home maintenance lists can feel overwhelming. There is always something to do, something to fix, or something we want to improve. But I don't think taking care of your home needs to mean tackling everything in one weekend.

Start with a few things. Make a plan. Ask for help when you need it.

One of my favorite parts of working in real estate is connecting people with resources, whether that's a trusted roofer, plumber, electrician, or someone who can help figure out where to start. I'm always happy to share recommendations.

As for me, I'll be enjoying the changing leaves, putting on some good records, watching the moody water roll in, and making sure those drains are clear.

Keep taking care of the place that takes care of you.

Rachel Jarvis
Real Estate Broker | Coldwell Banker Bain