5 New Year Home Maintenance Resolutions Every Vancouver WA Homeowner Should Make for 2026

Start 2026 With a Maintenance Mindset

December 2025 reminded Vancouver WA homeowners what deferred maintenance costs. Record flooding, overwhelmed gutters, and saturated foundations showed exactly what happens when small problems become emergencies.

Make 2026 different. These five resolutions protect your home and prevent the expensive repairs that catch unprepared homeowners off guard.

Resolution 1: Schedule Gutter Cleaning Before You Need It

Most Vancouver WA homeowners wait until gutters overflow to schedule cleaning. By then, water has already damaged fascia boards, stained siding, or pooled against the foundation.

Your 2026 goal: Schedule cleanings in spring (April) and fall (November) before problems develop. Put both appointments on your calendar now.

Regular cleaning prevents clogged gutters from becoming fascia rot or foundation damage. Two cleanings per year costs far less than one emergency repair.

Resolution 2: Inspect Your Roof Twice Yearly

Roof problems are invisible until they become leaks. Missing shingles, damaged flashing, and moss growth all develop slowly, then cause sudden damage during storms.

Your 2026 goal: Walk your property in spring and fall, looking up at your roof from the ground. Check for missing shingles, lifted edges, moss accumulation, and debris buildup.

Catching problems early means repairs instead of replacements.

Resolution 3: Fix Drainage Issues This Year

If water pooled near your foundation during December's storms, you have a drainage problem that will not fix itself. Every storm makes it worse.

Your 2026 goal: Address drainage before next winter. This might mean extending downspouts, regrading soil away from the foundation, or adding French drains.

The cost of proper drainage is a fraction of foundation repair costs.

Resolution 4: Maintain Exterior Paint and Caulking

Paint and caulk are your home's waterproof barrier. When they fail, moisture enters wood and causes rot. Pacific Northwest weather tests these barriers constantly.

Your 2026 goal: Inspect all exterior paint and caulking in spring. Touch up peeling paint before bare wood is exposed. Recaulk gaps around windows, doors, and trim.

These small maintenance tasks prevent the wood rot that leads to major repairs.

Resolution 5: Create a Maintenance Calendar

The best resolution is building a system. Reactive maintenance always costs more than planned maintenance.

Your 2026 goal: Create a simple calendar with monthly reminders:

• January: Check for ice dam signs, inspect attic for moisture
• February: Test smoke detectors, check weather stripping
• March: Schedule spring gutter cleaning
• April: Gutter cleaning, inspect roof from ground
• May: Check exterior caulking, clean window screens
• June: Inspect deck and outdoor structures
• July: Mid-year gutter check if trees overhang
• August: Pressure wash siding if needed
• September: Schedule fall gutter cleaning
• October: Prepare outdoor plumbing for freezing temps
• November: Gutter cleaning, check roof before winter storms
• December: Inspect for storm damage after major weather

Make It Easy on Yourself

Resolutions fail when they require constant willpower. Make 2026 maintenance automatic by scheduling services in advance.

For professional gutter cleaning to start your 2026 maintenance plan, contact Seasons Cleaning Services and get spring cleaning on the calendar before the busy season.

Here is to a well-maintained 2026.