Early fall is one of the best times to walk around your home and see how it’s holding up. In Oregon, months of wet weather can turn a small maintenance issue into water damage, rot, or a much more expensive repair.

You don’t need to be a contractor to spot many of the warning signs. Here are seven places worth checking before the rainy season gets into full swing.

1. Roof and flashing: Look from the ground for missing or damaged roofing, moss buildup, loose flashing, and debris collecting in valleys. Inside, check ceilings and attic areas for staining or signs of past moisture.
2. Gutters and downspouts: Clear out leaves and debris and watch where the water goes. Downspouts should move water away from the house rather than dumping it next to the foundation.
3. Trees and branches: Look for dead, damaged, or heavy branches hanging over the roof, driveway, or structures. If you’re unsure about the health of a larger tree, have an arborist evaluate it before winter storms arrive.

4. Siding, trim, and caulking: Check around windows, doors, corners, and siding transitions. Peeling paint, cracked caulking, swollen trim, and soft wood can all be signs that moisture is getting where it shouldn’t.
5. Drainage around the foundation: After a good rain, water shouldn’t sit against your home. Pay attention to low spots, clogged drains, and areas where soil directs water toward the foundation instead of away from it.

6. Crawl space: A musty smell, standing water, damp insulation, or visible moisture deserves attention. Crawl space problems can go unnoticed because most homeowners rarely look underneath their homes.
7. Exposed plumbing: Check pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and other unheated areas. Make sure vulnerable pipes are protected and insulated before temperatures begin dropping.