Jonathan

The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season

It is essential to have a home maintenance plan in place, just as getting a routine physical examination is important for one’s health. It is beneficial to keep up with the upkeep of your home’s exterior, appliances, heating and cooling, plumbing, security, and electrical systems in order to avoid costly repairs, spare money, and keep your house looking its best.

This checklist can be used to plan and keep track of periodic repairs, cleaning, and monthly duties related to home upkeep. Look over the list every month and at the start of each season to ensure that your home is running smoothly. If you find that the recommended home repairs and maintenance are more complicated than you can handle, it might be best to hire a professional to assist you.

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

Checking your residence and doing monthly repairs and renovations will keep your maintenance program on time and much easier to supervise. Follow this comprehensive home maintenance checklist each month to help save time and money:

Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups, make it easier to regulate your home’s temperature, and ultimately decrease energy bills.
Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary.
Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to remove mineral deposits.
Inspect tub and sink drains for debris; unclog if necessary.
Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and all ground-fault circuit interrupters.
Inspect electrical cords for wear.
Vacuum heat registers and heat vents.
Check that indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.
Flush out hot water from the water heater to remove accumulated sediment.
Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

In numerous areas, autumn is the ideal time to do routine house upkeep tasks as the climate is normally dry and temperatures are moderate. Prior to beginning your seasonal home upkeep to-do list, take a look at both the interior and exterior of your home. It is usually wise to call for professional help if a task is too complicated for you to do alone, however, many of these jobs can be done without outside help.

Here are our seasonal home maintenance checklist improvement recommendations for fall:

Rake leaves and aerate the lawn.
Have the forced-air heating system inspected by a professional. Schedule an inspection in late summer or early fall before the heating season begins.
Check the fireplace for damage or hazards and clean fireplace flues.
Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping; replace if necessary.
Swap old, drafty windows for more energy-efficient models.
Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint.
Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
Power-wash windows and siding.
Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway.
Drain and winterize exterior plumbing.
Have your fireplace professionally inspected.
Tune up major home appliances before the holidays.
Repair or replace siding.
Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement.
Clean the carpets.
Clean window and door screens.
Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
Inspect exterior door hardware; fix squeaky handles and loose locks.
Check for frayed cords and wires.
Drain and store hoses, and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
Wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.
Check the water heater for leaks.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Winter weather can be harsh on your home. The temperatures that are below zero can cause a lot of issues, such as frozen pipes and harm to the roof. To prevent winter harm and avoid calling a professional in the middle of a blizzard, be sure to check these winter items off your home maintenance checklist:

Cover your air-conditioning unit.
Check the basement for leaks during thaws.
Inspect the roof, gutters, and downspouts for damage after storms.
Vacuum bathroom exhaust fan grill.
Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
Clean drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Once the soil has defrosted and the leaves on the trees are starting to sprout, it’s time to get your house ready for spring. In addition to your usual spring cleaning, it is recommended that you keep these general maintenance tips in mind. Use our spring home maintenance checklist to make sure everything in your home, from the basement to the roof, is in tip-top shape:

Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
Change the air-conditioner filter.
Clean window and door screens.
Polish wood furniture and dust light fixtures.
Refinish the deck.
Power-wash windows and siding.
Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank.
Inspect sink, shower, and bath caulking for deterioration.
Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
Inspect the chimney for damage.
Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and mechanicals.
Remove the insulation from outdoor faucets and check sprinkler heads.
Have air-conditioning system serviced.
Drain or flush the water heater.
Fertilize your lawn.

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Once the sun is shining and we can be sure that the warm weather is here to stay, there’s no need to be concerned about home maintenance. Follow our quick summer home maintenance guide to accomplish the difficult tasks in the start of the season. Don’t worry if the weather is already heating up; most of these tasks are indoors:

Oil garage-door opener and chain, garage door, and all door hinges.
Remove lint from inside and outside washer hoses and dryer vents.
Clean kitchen exhaust fan filter.
Clean refrigerator and freezer coils and empty and clean drip trays.
Check the dishwasher for leaks.
Check around kitchen and bathroom cabinets and around toilets for leaks.
Replace interior and exterior faucet and showerhead washers if needed.
Seal tile grout.
Prune trees and shrubs.

8 Benefits of Home Maintenance

Having a home can bring great pleasure, a spot for relatives to unite, recall special moments and feel secure. However, if you do not stay on top of household upkeep, it can cause a great deal of stress. Here are 8 incentives to encourage you to prioritize home maintenance!

1. Save Money

It is suggested by numerous specialists that you set aside at least 1% of the amount you paid for your home annually for maintenance. If you have a home valued at $300,000, you should be prepared to allocate approximately $3,000 annually for upkeep.

Sound counterintuitive, right? What are the benefits of investing in my home each year? It looks like you are not actually saving money in the immediate future.

However, evidence indicates that investing in preventative measures now will be beneficial in the long term. For every dollar put towards upkeep, it is estimated that one-hundred dollars can be saved in future repairs and replacements. If you neglected to maintain it, the $3,000 you spent on upkeep could end up costing you $300,000. Significant, right?

How is that possible? Performing regular maintenance around the house saves money by finding any small issues before they become expensive repairs or replacements.

2. Reduce Additional Damage

Regular home maintenance can help to lower the chances of additional damage caused by a previously existing issue.

What is secondary damage? Best explained by example. Let’s review the roof you fixed up last autumn.

What if you hadn’t checked your roof? What if the tiny opening became larger, causing a major leak in your attic that has not been finished? The roof would not only deteriorate faster and require a larger repair or a full replacement, but now there is a greater issue of water damage within the attic, including wood rot, soggy insulation, and a strong moldy odor. The possibility of ruining all of the contents in the incomplete attic – such as holiday decorations, apparel, toys, literature, furnishings, etc. – could exist.

In summary, by failing to inspect your roof on a cool autumn day, you have created a pricey issue of repairs and replacements.

Scary, right?

3. Validate Insurance & Warranties

Ahhhh… home insurance and home warranties. A sexy topic, am I right? If your water heater causes a leak and soaks your finished basement, you will likely be extremely interested in knowing how your insurance will reimburse you for reconstructing your amazing male hangout.

Sadly, if you did not give adequate attention and upkeep to your water heater, it is likely that your insurance will not cover any repairs or replacements. Now you find yourself having to endure the Sunday football games in the uncomfortable, cramped tool shed.

The terms and conditions of most residential insurance policies and home warranties necessitate that homeowners take responsibility and maintain their dwellings in proper functioning order for them to remain valid. If not, these regulations will not be responsible for problems caused by the absence of maintenance and they will not finance fixes or substitutions.

4. Save Energy

EnergyStar.gov notes that the average American household pays out $2,060 a year for energy bills. Recent occurrences on a worldwide scale have caused utility bills, particularly those for gas, to increase.

Staying on top of your house maintenance can help reduce energy costs while still enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. And save the environment.

The majority of energy typically comes from HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning). Make sure that your system is regularly checked over and cleared out for optimal performance. It is important to change furnace filters frequently, otherwise the system will require more power to effectively circulate hot or cold air.

Contact your local and state utilities to determine if they offer free home energy assessments to get an in-depth look at how your home utilizes and wastes energy.

You can help conserve energy by dusting your kitchen appliances, such as your refrigerator, exhaust fans, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. Throughout the years, these appliances accumulate dust, dirt, and grime, reducing their effectiveness. Cleaning the refrigerator coils prevents the refrigerator from having to expend extra energy to cool your food, and cleaning the dryer vent not only reduces energy usage, but also prevents fires from occurring.

5. Extend Life of Appliances

Doing regular maintenance on the appliances in your home – such as dishwashers, fridges, washers, etc. – will help them to last for a long time and work properly.

Easy and swift activities, such as replacing the exhaust fan filter, will keep the oven operational and could possibly extend its life for multiple years.

True, all appliances eventually putter out and need replacement. By taking the time to consider and plan ahead, you can prevent yourself from having to pay for unnecessary repairs and expensive substitutes too soon.

6. Increase Home Value

Treating the purchase of a home as an investment is a prudent long-term financial strategy. Once you are prepared to part with it, you will probably desire to receive the biggest profit from your venture.

Having a house that is well taken care of and keeping a record of all the repairs and improvements made to it is sure to increase its resale value. Potential buyers will be drawn to a home’s attractive exterior, new paint job, modern appliances, etc. and be willing to pay a premium for a property that does not need major renovations.

Nevertheless, if you have not kept up care for your house, it will be blatantly evident in the home inspection report. The home inspector will point out a lot of potential fixes and replacements which could decrease the value of your home. Prospective purchasers will bear that in mind and offer a lower price.

A recent study indicated that residences in good condition typically fetch a 10% premium (on average $44,000) – so it would be a pity to miss out on that kind of money.

Doing regular, cost-effective upkeep on your home can significantly boost its resale value and make it much more likely to get a good price.

7. Boosts Home Safety

A well-maintained home is a safe home. By carrying out regular inspections of your house, you lessen the chances of something catastrophic like a fire or burglary happening to your residence.

In the US, fire departments have to deal with an average of 346,800 home structure fires annually, which breaks down to roughly 40 fires per hour. That number is nothing to sneeze at! It is important to check your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers regularly to make sure they are working properly when needed.

Reduce the chances of someone stealing from your house by keeping your garden well maintained. Thieves who break into homes often prefer residences with bushes that are tall or have not been trimmed, as they can be used as cover to easily slip in through windows. Cutting back bushes and shrubs is an uncomplicated job that will guard your house and keep your family safe.

8. Minimize Pests

A house that is not kept up can be a breeding ground for bugs and mice, both indoors and outdoors.

Regularly performing basic upkeep activities can prevent pests from settling in your house. This decreases the likelihood that pests will move into your residence. Yards that are properly taken care of do not have tall weeds or grass where baby rodents can make their nests. Examining for splits in the base of your house removes the likelihood for rodents and bugs to enter your dwelling.

Neglect your home upkeep and you may one day discover an unwelcome infestation of wasps or termites in your unfinished attic, causing a significant problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important home maintenance tasks?

In order to ensure the security of your house and its efficient functioning, it is vital to perform certain home maintenance duties. These consist of clearing out gutters in the spring and the fall, inspecting and cleaning the HVAC twice a year, switching filters each month, unclogging plumbing, and examining for any leaks or broken pipelines. If you notice any insects or animals where they don’t belong, it is essential to contact a pest control specialist right away.

How often should you deep-clean your home?

It is preferable to perform a thorough cleaning of your house twice a year, typically in the springtime and in the autumn. Begin by focusing on the spots and things that are the most soiled and then work your way down.

Do you need to have a professional come for seasonal home maintenance?

Some tasks need a professional to be done correctly. For instance, an HVAC system needs to be taken care of by an expert; on occasion, a plumber is needed to adequately clean out the plumbing. It might be beneficial to bring in an expert to clean the gutters, depending on the circumstances. They can also check your roof for any problems.