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Just like cars, your home needs special care to avoid breakdowns and costly repairs throughout the year. Without regular maintenance, you’ll likely stumble upon various frustrating, expensive surprises in your home that’ll cost you valuable time and drain your bank account. But with regular property preventive maintenance, you’ll hone your handyperson skills and keep your home in tip-top shape.
The key is making a scheduled checklist that you can follow as the seasons change. Here’s what we recommend:
Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist
Bi-annual Home Maintenance Checklist
Annual Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
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Some maintenance items will require more attention than others. These tend to be things in your home that help keep everyone safe, so be sure to check in regularly and make sure they’re working. Here’s what you should do each month:
Your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial to the safety of your family. Check them once a month and be sure to have replacement batteries on hand. Fire extinguishers are very important to your family’s safety as well. Inspect them regularly to make sure they’re working.
Want to make this step even easier? Invest in smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll get reminders when they need attention, and notifications of dangerous fumes in your home. Plus, you could qualify for a discount on your home insurance!
Your furnace, oven and vent filters should be checked every month to make sure debris isn’t preventing them from doing their job. Stock up on replacement filters for each appliance so you can swap in a new one at a moment’s notice.
Your kitchen sink, bathroom drains and garbage disposal might not be running efficiently if there’s even a minor blockage in a connected pipe. Check to see if they’re draining slowly by running hot water for about 30 seconds, then use a natural drain cleaning product to knock away the grime.
Air vents can build up a lot of dust. Clear them up by turning off your HVAC system, brushing the walls to loosen any grime and putting your vacuum to work.
When it comes to leaky basements, your sump pump can make all the difference. This helpful piece of hardware may be the only defense you have against a full-fledged flood. Prevent a worst-case scenario by testing your sump pump on schedule.
A leaky faucet can waste water and boost your monthly utility bill without you noticing. Check the spout, the base and under your sink to see if any water is leaking or any moisture is outside the pipes.
While you're at it, inspect grout and caulk to see if any touch-up is needed to prevent seeping water damage.
Not every part of your home needs a monthly checkup. Perform these home improvement tasks just twice a year to keep your home healthy:
Look for any cracks in the walls, deteriorating insulation, leaks or pests that could be causing harm to your home’s structure.
A clogged gutter or downspout can lead to water backup, pooling moisture and the deterioration of your home’s siding and structure. Clean your gutters thoroughly with proper safety equipment to keep them functional.
Vacuum the coils on the back and bottom of your refrigerator to remove any buildup. This will allow it to operate more efficiently, leading to savings on your electric bill.
Not every part of your home needs a monthly checkup. Perform these home improvement tasks just twice a year to keep your home healthy:
Look for any cracks in the walls, deteriorating insulation, leaks or pests that could be causing harm to your home’s structure.
A clogged gutter or downspout can lead to water backup, pooling moisture and the deterioration of your home’s siding and structure. Clean your gutters thoroughly with proper safety equipment to keep them functional.
Vacuum the coils on the back and bottom of your refrigerator to remove any buildup. This will allow it to operate more efficiently, leading to savings on your electric bill.
Small problems in your home can turn into major ones if you wait too long to address them. Complete these home maintenance tasks once per year to save money on down-the-line home repairs.
Lint that builds up in your dryer not only decreases performance, but can actually be a fire hazard. Keep a brush handy and make cleaning your lint trap and dryer vent an annual routine.
Emptying your tank and filling it with fresh water is a great way to figure out your water heater’s health status. Maintaining your water heater might sound like an intimidating task, but by flushing it once a year, you can make that maintenance stress-free.
Checking your home for signs of wood damage and termites can help you avoid a major infestation. If you’re not quite sure how to check for termites, call in a professional! Ask about other preventative measures you can take to keep them out.
Cutting branches close to your home's roof can help you avoid major storm damage the next time heavy rain and strong winds roll through.
As seasons change, so should the focus of your home maintenance efforts. Since not all seasons are created equal, there are some key maintenance items you need to focus on during different times of the year.
So, as the cold weather begins to dissipate and flowers begin to flourish, your home maintenance list will begin anew too. Protecting your home from wintry conditions segues to ensuring your home is ready for warmer weather. If you’ve noticed your trees beginning to bud, then it’s time to start your spring cleaning initiatives with these important upkeep tasks.
Winter weather can be harsh on your screens. Check them for rips, cracks or other damage and install new ones if necessary.
Help your home’s woodwork defend itself against the spring rain and extra moisture by resealing and finishing.
Spring is considered pothole season, as the winter’s snow and ice can be particularly damaging to roadways. The same goes for your driveway and walkways — check them for cracks and patch them as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Checking your AC unit long before summer arrives gives you plenty of time to have it fixed should there be any problems. Don’t be afraid to call a professional!
Freshening up your home’s paint job or replacing damaged siding after the winter can do wonders for its curb appeal. Plus, your siding is a crucial part of your home’s defenses against moisture and other damage, so keeping it intact is a must.
Summer is the perfect season to unwind. But before you hop into your hammock, there’s some routine home maintenance items that need your attention.
Once you’ve worked your way down this checklist, then it’s time to kick your summer relaxation time into full gear.
You had your system tuned up in the spring, so it’d be ready to go for the summer. But, to keep things running smoothly, you should still check and clean your filter at least twice a month.
Cleaning your grates, airing it out and making sure it’s working properly will help you avoid disappointment when you fire it up for the first hot dogs of the summer.
Removing stagnant, pooled water and using natural solutions to keep bugs and mosquitoes from bothering you while you're outside will make for a much more enjoyable summer for your family.
Your storm windows help insulate your home — keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. Check your storm windows for cracks or damage in case they need to be replaced.
Depending on what part of the nation you live in, you may not need to pack up that hammock as Autumn rolls in. But once the leaves begin to fall, and the air begins to cool, it’s time to begin preparing for colder weather. Here are some tips to help you stay ahead of the curve so you can be worry-free as Fall’s cooler climate comes to town.
Unless you’re an HVAC professional, you’re better off leaving this one to the techs. Get ahead of the curve and schedule a maintenance visit.
Unraked leaves and debris can keep the sunlight from reaching your grass, inhibiting growth for next spring, and providing a fertile ground for harmful mold to grow.
Keep the cold air out when fall and winter temperatures drop. Check the caulk around your windows and invest in door stoppers to keep your home warm and toasty.
A frozen pipe can lead to a disaster if it’s not cared for immediately. Prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place by insulating them and keeping your home’s temperatures up.
If your home’s sprinklers freeze, they’re likely to break. Save yourself a trip to the hardware store by draining and storing them in a warmer area for the colder months.
Related Topics: At Home , Home DIY , Owning A Home
