If you have lived through even one Pacific Northwest winter, you know the drill: gray skies, steady rain, and the occasional windstorm that rattles your gutters. But few homeowners realize how much quiet damage these months can cause until spring arrives.
Here’s a clear, month-by-month guide from Gold Shield Exteriors in Vancouver, WA, to help you stay ahead of leaks, rot, and costly repairs before they start.
October: Roof Check Before the Storms Arrive
October is your last calm stretch before the rain settles in for months.
Use a dry weekend to do this:
Inspect from the ground first.
Look for shingles that appear darker (they are water-soaked), curled edges, or shiny nail heads reflecting light. These are early signs of wear.
Use binoculars instead of climbing up.
You are not looking for perfection, just uniformity. Any “patchwork” look means past repairs or aging shingles.
Clean off debris.
Pine needles and moss trap moisture. Sweep with a soft broom; never pressure wash.
Check flashing and penetrations.
Pay special attention around chimneys, skylights, and plumbing vents. These are the most common leak points in our climate.
If you see lifting shingles or flashing gaps wider than a quarter inch, call a professional Vancouver roofing contractor. Those tiny openings can let in gallons of water during a single winter storm.
November: Gutter and Drainage Tune-Up
This is when leaves come down hard and clog every downspout in the county. Before the first freeze:
- Clean gutters completely. Scoop out by hand, then flush with a hose. Watch the water. If it backs up, your downspout is likely clogged at the elbow.
- Check the slope. The gutter should drop roughly one-quarter inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout. Standing water means you need to adjust hangers.
- Inspect joints and corners. Any seam drip will freeze, expand, and tear the metal apart by February. Seal with exterior gutter sealant rated for below-freezing temperatures.
- Confirm extensions. Downspouts should discharge at least five feet from the foundation to prevent crawlspace flooding.
If your home has large roof planes or a metal roof, consider upgrading to 6-inch seamless gutters. They handle about 50% more water than standard 5-inch systems.
December: Siding and Trim Defense
Now moisture is constant, and wind drives rain sideways under siding laps.
Here’s what to check:
- Look along the bottom course of siding. Soft or discolored wood means water is wicking up from splashback.
- Inspect caulking at vertical joints and around windows. Any gap wider than a credit card should be recaulked with a paintable, elastomeric exterior sealant.
- Tap on trim boards with a screwdriver handle. Hollow sounds indicate hidden rot.
- For fiber-cement siding, confirm the cut ends are sealed. Unpainted edges absorb water and delaminate over time.
Repainting or sealing in late spring (May or June) gives coatings enough dry time to cure fully before next winter.
January: Attic and Ventilation Check
When temperatures dip below freezing and warm air rises from inside, the attic becomes the front line of condensation problems.
- Look for frost on nails or rafters. That is moisture from your home condensing in the attic.
- Check insulation depth. You should have at least 12 inches of loose-fill or batt insulation. Uneven spots cause heat loss and ice damming.
- Confirm airflow. Soffit vents should not be covered by insulation. Cool, dry air coming in keeps your roof deck from sweating.
Adding a digital humidity sensor in the attic is an inexpensive way to monitor conditions. If humidity stays above 60%, improve ventilation or seal bathroom fan ducts better.
February: Wind and Storm Damage Scan
After a few strong wind events, do a perimeter walk:
- Look for lifted shingles, bent flashing, or missing ridge caps.
- Check fences and siding panels for loosened fasteners.
- Inspect fascia boards along the gutter line. Wind often pulls them loose where nails have rusted.
Document damage early. Insurance adjusters are easier to work with when you have timestamped photos.
March: Maintenance Reset for Spring
As rain tapers off, do a “spring prep” pass so you start next winter ready:
- Power wash siding gently with a wide-fan tip.
- Repaint any exposed trim edges.
- Clean gutters one more time (you will often find moss bits from roof cleaning).
- Schedule your professional roof and siding inspection now, before everyone else calls in late fall.
Why Work With a Local PNW Specialist
Every detail above comes from field experience, not a search engine.
At Gold Shield Exteriors, our crews have spent years working in Vancouver and Southwest Washington, where damp air, wind, and moss create unique challenges. We use Malarkey Roofing Products for their superior adhesion and algae resistance, and seamless aluminum gutter systems custom-cut on site for perfect fit and slope.
Gold Shield Exteriors
7909 NE St. Johns Rd
Vancouver, WA 98665
360-947-7119
Further Reading
For technical roofing performance data in wet climates, visit Malarkey Roofing Products.
Final Thought
Winter in the Pacific Northwest does not have to mean water damage and anxiety. With a little seasonal awareness and a few hours each month, you can keep your home dry, efficient, and ready for whatever nature delivers.