Keep Your House in Shape Year-Round with this Handy Home Maintenance Checklist

For the first time homebuyer, it’s easy to get caught up in only thinking about the financial responsibilities when starting the process. But don’t forget, home ownership also requires time and labor. Just like a regular health physical or car tune-up, routine maintenance in, around and outside of the house will keep you from future home maintenance headaches and wasted money.

We understand, it can be intimidating to think about the seemingly endless list of tasks, especially for new homeowners. Yes, it’s a long list, there’s no denying that. But the good news is that you can check off much of that list on your own, all you need is a handy home maintenance checklist to keep you organized. We’ve listed out some of the main tasks to be completed monthly, quarterly and biannually; as well as a list to be completed seasonally. Take out your calendar and plug in the tasks so you can stay on track of your home maintenance and keep your home happy for years and years to come.

The Only Home Maintenance Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Monthly

• HVAC Filters- Inspect, clean and change out if necessary. For families without allergies, you may only need to change filters every three months. But if the filter is dirty, clean it or change it.
• Kitchen Sink Disposal- Clean the kitchen sink disposal with a simple solution of frozen vinegar cubes. Run the vinegar ice cubes through your disposal monthly to freshen and sharpen the blades.
• Hood Filters- Have you ever thought to clean the range hood filter in your kitchen to avoid possible grease fires.? If not, you’re in for a real “treat.” Soak the filter in a mixture of hot water and a degreaser; let it sit for a few minutes, rinse and voila!
• HVAC Debris- Trim back any shrubbery and clear large plants growing around your outdoor HVAC unit by at least 18 inches.

Quarterly

• Safety- Inspect your fire extinguishers to ensure there is no visible signs of wear and tear and that the gauge shows adequate pressure. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors by pressing the “test” button and replace batteries.
• Sliding Doors– Check sliding doors and window wipe down the tracks they run along.
• Garage Door- Test the garage door auto-reverse feature and grease tracks as needed. In 1993, federal law required all garage doors to have this feature after multiple child deaths. To test, place a 2×4 on the ground where the door would close. It should reverse a second after the door hits the wood. Also, test the photo-electric sensors by placing something in front of them as the door is lowering. The door should stop and immediately go back up; if not, you have a problem.
• Guest Baths- Run water in the sinks and showers and flush the toilets in unused bathrooms to prevent grime or any other kind of build up from occurring.

Biannually

• Water Heater– Test the water heater’s relief valve to prevent mineral and corrosion build up and help your heater run more efficiently.
• Whole House- Deep clean the whole house including appliances, windows, dusting every nook and cranny. When you take the time to prevent grime from building up over the years, your home will stay in tip-top shape.
• Refrigerator- Vacuum your refrigerator coils every six months and you’ll end up saving big bucks in the long run. Your refrigerator can use up to 15% of your home’s total power and as the coils get dirty over time, the refrigerator uses even more energy to operate. Suck out the dust and it’ll be running much more efficiently.

Annually/Seasonally

Winter

• Exterior Drainage– Clear gutters of fall foliage to allow rain and melting snow to drain properly.
• Indoors– Winter’s a good time to check off the indoor tasks like tightening any handles and knobs in the house and inspecting locks on doors and windows. If anything doesn’t work right, replace.
• Shower– Check caulking in and around the shower and bathtub; damaged grout and cracked tiles are entry points for water getting into the walls. Also, remove showerheads and clean sediment to prolong its life and improve water pressure as well.
• Basement– Time to deep clean the (often overlooked) basement. Dust thoroughly, clean windows, and inspect for mold.

Spring

• Drainage – Inspect gutters of for any loose connections and sediment from winter snow. Will the spring’s rain water flow away from the house? While you’re up there, inspect the roof for damage, leaks and repair as necessary.
• Home Exterior- Check your foundation for cracks, siding for any damages, and paint for any chips. Peeling paint can be a sign of moisture penetration on the walls. Fix what you can on your own, call in the pros to take care of the rest.
• Carpets- Clean carpets to eliminate trapped pollutants, dust mites, and prevent mold growth.
• HVAC- Schedule maintenance with a professional HVAC company to get your air conditioner serviced and save money and headaches down the road.
• Window Screens- Repair and replace any damaged window screens…and no, duct tape doesn’t count.
• Landscaping- Clear away the dead plants from the home that could potentially cause damage to your foundation and take a look at any trees that could pose interference with electrical lines; have them professionally trimmed if necessary. Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves to ensure sprinkler heads are adjusted properly.

Summer

• Tile– Summer’s a good time to check the grout in the bathrooms and kitchen. Tile repairs will not only prolong the life of your surfaces, but it also just looks better.
• Plumbing– Check for evidence of leaks around sinks, toilets, showers and tubs. Clean aerators on faucets and inspect water pressure.
• Insects– Summertime is playtime for insects. Ants, spiders, crickets, dust mites, bed bugs, moths, etc., they’re all common in the summer. Clear away cobwebs, keep ant poison handy and make sure all cracks are sealed up tight.
• Deck/Patio– Clean and repair your deck or patio after the harsh winter weather. Look for any loose boards or posts, and re-stain as needed.
• Vents- Check and clean out your dryer vent and other exhaust vents that lead to the exterior of the home. Vacuum the link from the hose at the dryer and look for blockages to prevent house fires and boost the efficiency of your equipment. You may also need to call in the pros to get the job done thoroughly.
• Garage- Open the door, let the fresh air in and blare some fun music. Cleaning out the garage should be a summer ritual for every homeowner.

Fall

• Hot Water Heater- Flush hot water heater and remove sediment to prolong the life of the heater and boost efficiency.
• HVAC– Winterize the air conditioner and cover outside units with a tarp and secure with bungee cords. Also, schedule seasonal service for the furnace before winter hits.
• Outdoor Water– Turn off outdoor water faucets and flush out and store hoses.
• Sump Pump– Test the sump pump…the last thing you want is to find out it doesn’t work when you need it most.
• Driveway– Check pavement for cracks and re-seal before the winter. Since water can freeze and expand in the cracks, this can cause even more damage to your driveway.
• Gear– Stock up on winter gear like sidewalk salt, shovels, ice scrapers, etc. You never know when the first snowfall will hit.
• Pipes– Inspect and insulate pipes to protect them from freezing.
• Lawn– Rake leaves and aerate the lawn.

Have you ever heard yourself say, “I’ll get to that later?” Well, now is your later. While this isn’t an extensive list for home maintenance, it’s certainly a good start. So, grab your calendar and schedule in your first official home maintenance tasks.