The rains arrive concentrated: clean gutters and scuppers, check flat-roof membranes and parapet flashing, test area drains and sump systems, and walk foundations for downspout discharge problems. October preparation defines your winter.
After each atmospheric river: scan ceilings, bay-window seams, and garage slabs. Hillside owners watch retaining walls and weep holes. Mild temperatures keep systems gentle, but water finds every envelope weakness now.
Probe trim, sills, and deck connections — the fog belt's persistent moisture feeds rot that winter rain accelerates. Repaint cycles on wood-frame exteriors are real maintenance, not cosmetics, in this climate.
Exterior painting (fog mornings, dry afternoons), foundation and seismic work, window restoration. Book trades early; the dry season is everyone's construction season.
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