Some of the biggest home repairs don’t start with a major storm or obvious disaster. They can start with something small: a leaking hose, debris sitting on a roof, a tree limb over the house, or combustible landscaping too close to the structure.

Through the insurance repair work we see at BuildWell Northwest, one lesson comes up repeatedly: a quick home inspection today can sometimes prevent a much larger repair tomorrow.

Take a few minutes to look at the areas of your home you normally don’t think about. Inspect water heater supply connections and hoses for corrosion, moisture, or slow leaks. Check around your HVAC system and condensate drain lines for standing water or signs they aren’t draining correctly.

Look up, too. Yellow or brown staining on drywall or ceilings can be an early sign that water is getting somewhere it shouldn’t. Don’t just paint over the stain. Find the source first. Interior water damage from leaking pipes, connections, and water-using equipment continues to be a significant source of property loss.

Your exterior deserves the same attention. Clear leaves, needles, and other debris from your roof and gutters. Have questionable or overhanging trees evaluated, especially if you notice dead branches or limbs near the roof.

Pay attention to what’s directly against the house as well. Bark mulch, dry vegetation, wood piles, and other combustible materials can create a path for fire to reach the structure. Oregon fire-safety guidance recommends creating a noncombustible area immediately around the home rather than placing bark mulch and other easily ignited materials against it.

Before temperatures drop, check exposed plumbing in crawl spaces, garages, and other unheated areas. Pipes that are vulnerable to freezing should be properly protected and insulated.

This is also a good time to look at your roof, gutters, exterior openings, and heating system. The goal isn’t to find something wrong. It’s to catch the small stuff while it’s still small.