A home investment often doesn’t stop at the moment of purchase, because a home requires regular upkeep to make sure that the house stays in good condition. A part of your income should be kept aside for regular home maintenance. This is because regular maintenance helps identify small issues and prevent them from turning into costly repairs.
Here is a checklist for home maintenance that includes monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks. You can refer to this to make sure you are staying up to date with regular upkeep.
Monthly Home Maintenance
A few basic monthly maintenance tasks can prevent expensive repairs later. They are simple and don’t require any special tools. They are also inexpensive and can be done by yourself.
Check HVAC Filters
To avoid dust buildup, clean or replace the air filters regularly. The filter accumulates dust and debris anywhere from 30 days to a few months. All you have to do is replace disposable filters.
Check for Leaks
Make sure to check for leaks around toilets and sinks. Take a monthly walk around the places that are prone to leaks. Even tiny leaks can cost hundreds of dollars per year; therefore, it is best to find them early.
Check Grout and Caulking
Take a quick look at the grout and caulking in your bathroom. Make sure to check carefully around tubs and showers. Sealing small gaps not only makes it look nice but also protects against water damage.
Clean the Kitchen Vent Filter
Check the range hood or kitchen vent filter regularly. Make sure to clean it well or replace it if needed, especially if there’s frequent cooking.
Safety Device Testing
Every month, homeowners should test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Along with this, also make sure to change batteries every six months.
GFCI Outlet Testing
These are often found near water sources like bathrooms, the kitchen, or the laundry room. They should be tested on a monthly basis, too.
To check, just plug in a light into the outlet and hit the test button to see if the light goes out. After this, hit reset to see if the light comes back on. If this does not work, make sure to replace the outlet.
Take a Walk Around the House
Lastly, make sure to take a walk around the house and inspect things like the foundation, the gutter, or the drainpipes. This monthly inspection becomes even more important if you get too busy with work and don’t have time to notice small issues before they turn into bigger problems.
Seasonal Home Maintenance
Each season brings different home maintenance challenges. It is always better to have a seasonal home maintenance checklist to prevent damage.
Fall Home Maintenance
Fall is when you start preparing for winter and make sure that everything is winter-ready. Below are a few fall exterior home maintenance tasks that should be added to the checklist:
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Remove leaves and debris from the grass to avoid mold and lawn damage.
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To avoid long-term damage, clean the fallen leaves from your roof and gutter.
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After summer, clean your pool thoroughly and cover it till next summer.
Here are a few fall interior home maintenance tasks:
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Have your HVAC system, furnace, or boiler and air ducts checked before winter.
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Look out for air leaks or damage, and close the gaps with weatherstripping or insulation.
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Make sure to have a professional inspect and clean your laundry dryer vents every year. A clogged vent can increase the risk of fire and may also damage the machine.
Winter Home Maintenance
During winter, freezing temperatures can cause several issues, like frozen pipes or roof damage. To prevent problems in this harsh weather, make sure to complete these winter home maintenance tasks before the onset of winter. A checklist for winter exterior home maintenance:
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Check your roof, gutters, and downspouts for any signs of damage after heavy wind or rain.
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For the winter, make sure to cover your air-conditioning unit.
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Make sure to store enough sidewalk salt and ice melt.
Checklist for winter interior home maintenance:
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Check your basement for leaks during thaws.
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Make sure to vacuum the bathroom fan grill. Along with this, vacuum the refrigerator and freezer coils.
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Clear the drains in sinks, tubs, showers, and dishwashers to prevent clogs.
Spring Home Maintenance
Once the bleak winter is over, spring comes, and trees start to bud. This would be a good time to prepare for spring maintenance tasks. Here are a few spring exterior home maintenance tasks:
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Clean the windows and door screens, and make sure to clear the gutter of debris.
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Conduct a professional inspection of the roof and chimney to identify and address any damage or leaks.
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Make sure to remove the insulation from outdoor faucets. In addition to this, check the sprinkler heads.
Spring interior home maintenance checklist:
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Make sure to remove the mineral deposits from faucets, aerators, and showerheads.
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Check the caulking around sinks, showers, and baths. Also, vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
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Make sure to change the air conditioner filter and get the air conditioning system checked by a professional.
Annual Home Maintenance
There are a few tasks that should be done once every year. Although some of it already falls under your monthly maintenance checklist, make sure that nothing is overlooked. Below are some common maintenance tasks to complete each year:
Home Exterior
For your home’s exterior, make sure to have the roof inspected. Wash the exterior siding and check if it is loose or damaged. Make sure to clean the brick masonry. Clean the windows and window screens well, and grease the hinges on the windows and doors so they open and close easily.
Home Interior
Inside your home, have the attic insulation checked to ensure it is still effective. If you live in a colder area, inspect pipe insulation to avoid frozen pipes. In addition to this, ensure that carpets are given a thorough deep clean to refresh the living space.
Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing
As part of your annual maintenance, inspect your HVAC system and also get it checked by a professional. Also, check toilet supply lines, valves, and parts for leaks. This ensures proper functioning without any plumbing issues.
Conclusion
Home maintenance tasks can feel overwhelming, but a good checklist makes the process easier. Breaking down the tasks into monthly, seasonal, and annual categories makes the work feel more manageable. From this checklist, you can always prioritize based on your home’s specific needs.
