How often should I clean my gutters in the PNW?

In Clark County, clean your gutters at least twice a year — once in late fall after leaves drop and again in late spring. If you have large trees nearby, you may need to clean them three or four times annually. Clogged gutters are the #1 cause of water damage in the PNW.

When should I have my HVAC serviced?

Schedule HVAC maintenance twice a year: A/C tune-up in April or May before summer heat, and furnace inspection in September before winter cold. Regular servicing extends equipment life, improves efficiency, and catches small problems before they become emergencies.

What monthly home maintenance saves the most money?

Changing your HVAC air filter monthly is the highest-ROI task — a $10 filter prevents $500+ repairs. Other high-value tasks: checking for water leaks, testing GFCI outlets, and inspecting your crawlspace for moisture after heavy rain.

How do I winterize my home in Clark County?

Focus on moisture management and heating efficiency: disconnect hoses, install hose bib covers, have your furnace inspected by October, reverse ceiling fans, check attic insulation, clean gutters, and insulate exposed pipes in crawlspaces.

Clark County Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Clark County sits in a unique climate zone. We get 40+ inches of rain annually — most of it between November and March — followed by dry, warm summers that can push 100°F. Your home takes a beating from both extremes. This seasonal checklist keeps you ahead of the weather and out of the emergency repair cycle.

Why Seasonal Maintenance Matters Here

The Pacific Northwest isn't like other regions. We don't get punishing winters like the Midwest, but our persistent moisture creates problems you won't find in drier climates: moss on roofs, mildew in crawlspaces, and wood rot on decks and siding. Meanwhile, our summer dry spells stress foundations and create fire-risk conditions. A home that's maintained seasonally lasts longer, costs less to run, and keeps its value.

Winter: December – February

Winter in Clark County means rain, occasional ice, and temperatures that hover just above freezing. Your focus: keeping water out and heat in.

Gutter cleaning: Do this at least twice between November and February. Clark County's trees — especially big-leaf maples and Douglas firs — drop an enormous amount of debris. Clogged gutters lead to water backing up under the roofline and into your fascia boards.
HVAC filter replacement: Change monthly during heavy heating use. Your furnace works hardest in December and January. A dirty filter reduces airflow, increases energy bills, and can cause the system to overheat and shut down.
Winterize outdoor faucets: Disconnect all hoses before the first freeze. Install insulated covers on hose bibs (available for $5–$10 at any hardware store). If you have a sprinkler system, it should already be blown out by November.
Crawlspace check: After heavy rain, peek into your crawlspace with a flashlight. Look for standing water, wet insulation, or visible mold. Clark County's high water table means many homes need sump pumps or French drains.
Attic inspection: On a cold morning, look at your roof from outside. If you see patches where frost has melted while the rest remains frozen, you have insulation gaps — warm air is escaping and melting the frost.

Spring: March – May

As the rains taper off, spring is your opportunity to repair winter damage and prepare for the dry season ahead.

Gutter cleaning (again): Spring blooms mean pollen, seed pods, and flower petals that clog gutters just as effectively as fall leaves.
A/C tune-up: Schedule professional HVAC maintenance in April or May — before the first heat wave when every tech is booked solid.
Dryer vent cleaning: Lint buildup is a leading cause of house fires. Clean the vent from the dryer to the exterior at least annually.
Window and door seals: Check weatherstripping and caulking that may have cracked during winter freeze-thaw cycles.

Summer: June – August

Clark County summers are warm and dry — ideal conditions for outdoor projects and catching up on maintenance you deferred during the rainy months.

HVAC filter: Change monthly during heavy A/C use. Your system circulates more air in summer to remove humidity, which loads up filters faster.
Condenser unit maintenance: Clear vegetation, grass clippings, and debris from at least 2 feet around the outdoor A/C unit. Wash the fins gently with a garden hose (not a pressure washer).
Roof inspection: Use binoculars from the ground to look for curling, cracked, or missing shingles. Check for moss — it thrives in shaded areas and retains moisture that damages shingles.
Attic ventilation: On a hot afternoon, your attic should feel roughly the same temperature as outside if properly ventilated. If it's significantly hotter, you may need additional ridge or soffit vents.

Fall: September – November

Fall is the most critical maintenance season in Clark County. What you do now determines whether your home sails through winter or develops expensive problems.

Furnace inspection: Schedule in September. Don't wait for the first cold snap — that's when HVAC companies are slammed and you might wait a week for service.
Gutter cleaning (the big one): Late October or early November, after most leaves have fallen. This is non-negotiable for Clark County homes with trees nearby.
Chimney and fireplace: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, schedule a chimney sweep before your first fire of the season.
Irrigation winterization: Have your sprinkler system blown out with compressed air before the first hard freeze — usually by mid-November.
Pipe insulation: Insulate any exposed water pipes in the crawlspace, garage, or exterior walls. Foam pipe insulation sleeves cost about $2 per 6-foot length.

A well-maintained Clark County home isn't just more comfortable — it's significantly cheaper to own. Regular maintenance prevents the cascade failures that turn a $200 fix into a $5,000 emergency.