Redefining Home Maintenance: 
The Proactive & Essential Guide for Homeowners

As a homeowner in the Pacific Northwest, you face a particular set of challenges related to the climate we live in. Wet, cold, and wind are not kind to housing materials. Without putting some thought into home maintenance, small problems can become big ones before you know it.

Maybe you notice wood rot on your siding or window trim. Or you see discoloration on the drywall in an upstairs bedroom–telltale signs of water damage. During the winter months, you may notice the heating system is not working as efficiently as it once did. You have two options: ignore these problems or find a way to fix them.

With life pulling you in every direction, how can you manage home maintenance so these problems can be prevented altogether or noticed before they expand into major home restoration projects? With a bit of forethought, you can manage these tasks and keep the homeownership mayhem to a minimum.

A: If there are signs of water damage or you see water leaking in, that is an obvious sign that replacement or at least repair is needed. Different materials, like asphalt shingles, slate, or metal, have different grades of quality and different lifespans.

In areas like the Pacific Northwest, with frequent rain and high humidity, moss can grow on roofs and cause problems. Regular cleaning and proactive repair can extend the life of a roof.

A: Most of the time, yes. Almost all glass can be replaced and upgraded with newer multi-pane glass. You can also get “Low-E” (Low Emissivity) glass which blocks ultraviolet radiation. Those UV rays are what cause furniture and carpet to fade.

If the inside of a multi-pane window is foggy between the panes of glass, that is a sign that moisture is getting in and the seal has failed. This is another sign that the glass may need to be replaced.

A: Window repairs or replacements are needed when existing windows do not properly function or do not perform well in terms of energy efficiency. Replacements are also needed if the window is not in good condition or you are ready for a new look for your home.

A: Finding a leak is a tactical process that takes time and patience. Identifying the path of water infiltration might require a “surgical demolition” from where the effects of a leak are noticed (warping wood, wet and discolored drywall, or flooring) to the source of the leak.

If you discover a leak, it is important to work with a qualified general contractor to correct it because the proper resolution will often require multiple tradespeople to complete it.

A: On the coast, you need building materials that will stand up well to salt water, heavy rain, and wind. In most cases, hardwoods like teak, ipe, mahogany, and other common boat-building woods perform well in saltwater locations.

Cement board siding also works well in coastal environments. Composite and plastic materials can be viable alternatives but are expensive and not available for all applications. Hard-wearing exterior paint will serve you well in protecting materials against the elements. Pay close attention to areas where two pieces join, as this is where problems tend to start.

A: The first step is to establish a budget. There is a balance between the aesthetic you want and the maintenance required of the materials. You can find less expensive low-maintenance materials, but these may not be as visually appealing as pricier alternatives. Cedar shakes are low maintenance if the gray tone they take on with age is the aesthetic you are looking for. They can be painted, but that will require more maintenance. Brick will require less maintenance than metal, plastic, or even cement composite siding. Remember, “low maintenance” doesn’t mean “no
maintenance.”

A: There are lists available that identify several electric panels known to be fire hazards. Panels on this list should be replaced. The typical lifespan of an electric panel is 30 years, and it should be replaced at that point. Temperature variations can cause a panel to fail over time. The metals used in close proximity corrode and cause the panel to fail. Circuit breakers tripping or making funny noises is also a sign of potentially needing replacement. You should always consult with a qualified general contractor or licensed electrician before any work on your electric panel.

A: On the advantage side, a metal roof will, with proper maintenance, last a very long time. They reflect heat away instead of absorbing heat, which is helpful in the summer and less so in the winter. On the downside, installation and maintenance should be left to a professional. The cost of a metal roof is significantly higher than traditional asphalt shingles.

Being proactive about maintenance is great, but at some point, problems move from a maintenance issue to a repair or renovation issue.

When you catch things early, you have a number of options. You can try to fix the problem yourself. Maybe it is just a matter of replacing a leaky feed line into a toilet–no problem. But perhaps you’ve noticed some soft spots around the base of the toilet - which may be more plumbing and carpentry than you feel ready to tackle. When you do take on a project that is beyond your expertise, it can become a recurring problem. If a repair is not done properly, it will only get worse and more expensive to fix over time.

Sometimes you notice problems but want to wait for the “right time.” While this is understandable, problems might escalate from discoloration around a window to bubbling paint and drywall, to a soaked floor, and worse.

Waiting for the right time can also be called “deferred maintenance.” Simply put, deferred maintenance will decrease the value of the home.

While the cost of general upkeep of a home can be a source of frustration, the greater cost comes when you let things go for too long. Out of sight, out of mind is not a good home maintenance strategy.

Sometimes a repair project grows beyond one skill. Like if you think a repair will be a matter of replacing some drywall and repainting, that’s one thing. But if you find wood rotting under the drywall, and it extends from an upstairs window down into the first floor, a number of trades now are going to be needed.

A handyman might be skilled in one element of the project but not the range of skills needed to properly fix the issue.

Some companies specialize in doing one thing very well. They may replace windows, install or repair roofs, or build you a nice deck. When it comes to home repairs, these standalone companies won’t be able to do any adjacent work like framing, drywall, painting, or plumbing. Usually, a home repair involves several trades to fix the problem correctly. The challenge here is similar to the handyman challenge. Expertise in one area does not necessarily translate into a well-managed project with multiple trades involved.

If the job is to simply replace a few windows, or if you are confident that the job is just replacing a roof, a standalone company makes

The up-front cost may appear to be more; however, you will have the proper solution the first time, not be left chasing solutions over years and throwing money at the problem when it appears again. A reputable general contractor will be forthcoming if they are not the cost-effective choice.

If a maintenance issue goes from a small repair to something more major, especially if you decide that a renovation is in order since you are having work done anyway–a general contractor is the right choice.