Austin · Northwest Hills · Long rooflines and dual HVAC
Northwest Hills home maintenance tips
Austin, TX 78731 · 78759 · 4 min read
Northwest Hills split-levels combine two HVAC systems, long roof runs, and hillside drainage. Spreading that work across the year is what keeps it from arriving as one expensive month.
What these homes are made of
1970s and 1980s split-levels, contemporary builds, and hillside lots.
- Dual HVAC systems need staggered service and filter schedules.
- Long rooflines and valleys collect oak and cedar debris.
- Hillside drainage and retaining walls need post-storm checks.
Three tips for Northwest Hills homeowners
1. Stagger the two HVAC services six months apart
Service the upstairs system in spring and the downstairs system in fall. You get two inspections a year and never a whole-house outage.
2. Clear the long roof valleys twice a year
Oak and cedar debris packs where the roof planes meet and holds water against the shingles. It is the most common leak source here.
3. Check hillside drainage after storms
Confirm the swales still carry water past the house and that the retaining-wall weep holes drain freely.
The Austin maintenance year
Layer the Northwest Hills items above on top of the calendar every Central Texas house follows.
- Late winter (January to February)
- Book the spring HVAC tune-up before the first 90-degree week, flush the water heater, and check attic insulation while it is still cool enough to work up there.
- Spring (March to May)
- Clear oak catkins and cedar fines from gutters, wash pollen off exteriors and screens, and re-caulk windows and doors before storm season.
- Summer (June to September)
- Change filters monthly, clear the condensate line, water the foundation evenly through drought, and keep dryer vents clear while the unit works hardest.
- Fall (October to December)
- Second gutter clearing after the oak and pecan drop, drainage and grading check before winter rain, and pipe and hose-bib protection ahead of the first freeze.
Maintenance service in Northwest Hills
We run this schedule for members across Northwest Hills and the rest of Austin, with the same crew and written notes after each visit.